The Use of Metabolic Profile Test with the Aim of Preventing Metabolic Diseases Seen Before and After Birth in Dairy Cattle Enterprises in Burdur Province and Increasing the Economic Efficiency of Enterprises

PROJECT NAME: Use of Metabolic Profile Test to Prevent Metabolic Diseases Observed Before and After Birth in Dairy Cattle Ranches in Burdur Province and to Increase the Economic Efficiency of this Ranches  
PROJECT MANAGER: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ramazan YILDIZ
PROJECT TOPIC: 
Subclinical metabolic diseases cause significant economic losses in dairy cattle farms due to decreased milk yield and infertility problems. To diagnose these diseases early, monitor them, and evaluate fertility and nutritional status, many herd abroad use the metabolic profile test. Although the metabolic profile test, which is widely used in developed countries, has just started to be applied in cattle ranches in our country, it has not reached a sufficient level of use. It is recommended that all dairy cattle farms worldwide use this test in the future to increase efficiency, prevent economic losses due to diseases, and for early diagnosis.

After identifying certain pilot farms or regions in Burdur and its surroundings and determining the metabolic diseases in this area and the economic losses associated with them, studies will be developed to reduce the mentioned diseases that cause significant economic losses by popularizing the use of the metabolic profile test. Periparturient diseases in dairy cattle farms cause serious economic losses to breeders due to slaughter, deaths, decreased milk yield, reproductive problems, and veterinary service expenses.

The incidence of endemic diseases in dairy cattle farms and the financial losses caused by these diseases and fertility problems have been investigated. The incidences of endemic diseases in the provinces included in the research are shown in Table 1. 

Table 1: Disease incidences detected within the scope of the endemic diseases project

In the mentioned research, the financial loss caused by a clinical mastitis case was calculated as 106 TL, 220 TL, and 730 TL for mild, moderate, and severe forms of the disease, respectively. The weighted average loss calculated according to the probabilities of these forms was determined as 315 TL. The damage caused by each RS case to the producer was calculated as 365 TL. Of this, 245 TL was direct losses, and 109 TL was indirect losses. Losses due to hypocalcemia were calculated as 127 TL, 320 TL, and 2674 TL for mild, severe, and fatal cases, respectively, depending on the course of the disease. The weighted average loss calculated according to the probabilities of different forms of the disease was determined as 340 TL. Regarding foot diseases, the loss caused by the three different forms of the disease, mild, moderate, and severe, was calculated as 266 TL, 339 TL, and 509 TL per infected animal, respectively; the weighted average loss was calculated as 379 TL. Of this loss, 241 TL was direct losses, and 138 TL was indirect losses. In a study conducted on 16 dairy cattle farms registered with the US National Animal Health Information System, the average total cost of diseases was found to be 172.4 $, and the diseases that constituted the total cost were reported as clinical mastitis (26%), fertility (13%), pneumonia (5%), foot diseases (5%), dystocia (5%), hypocalcemia (4%), and abomasum displacement (4%).

In dairy cows, 80% of diseases occur in the periparturient period. The basis of this is metabolic disorders. It is clearly shown that dairy cows are more frequently affected by diseases within the first 2 months of lactation. Energy metabolism disorders (ketosis, subclinical ketosis, and fatty liver syndrome) and mineral metabolism deficiencies (milk fever, subclinical hypocalcemia) weaken the immune system in dairy cows during the peripartal period, facilitating the occurrence of mastitis, retained placenta, endometritis, delayed uterine involution, and hoof diseases.

According to 1997 statistics in Hokkaido, Japan, 65,000 of 550,000 parturient dairy cows (approximately 12%) were treated by veterinarians for periparturient diseases such as hypocalcemia, fatty liver, abomasum displacements, ketosis, downer cow syndrome, and retained placenta, and 8,000 of these dairy cows were sent to slaughter because they did not respond to treatment.

Accurately predicting the severity and duration of negative energy balance is essential for herd management, feeding strategies, and reproductive practices. Rapidly developing technological applications facilitate the detection of metabolic indicators related to negative energy balance in blood and milk. However, metabolic indicators can vary depending on the lactation period, ration composition, seasonal differences, and health status. Therefore, evaluating multiple indicators simultaneously along with classical methods (changes in body weight and body condition score) will increase prediction accuracy. The metabolic profile test provides information about the nutritional status of feeding groups in the herd. With the metabolic profile test, a complete ration evaluation is made by looking at the herd's response to the current or changed ration, and the animal's nutritional status is revealed.

The metabolic profile test identifies the disease condition at an early stage. By evaluating indicators such as beta-hydroxybutyric (BHA) acid, Ca, Mg, and rumen pH with the metabolic profile test, early diagnosis of subclinical metabolic diseases such as ketosis, hypocalcemia, and subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) can be made.

MPT contributes to identifying potential risks against diseases. The fact that some specific parameters determined before calving or in the early postpartum period are below or above the reference range, exceed or fall below critical point values, provides the chance to predict the risk of specific or mixed periparturient diseases in advance. Widely applied MPT is used as a screening model focusing directly on herd observation. Profile results are associated with ration-specific problems, and secondly, it allows the evaluation of management errors and other factors affecting the animal's response to the given ration. The metabolic profile test is not a standalone diagnostic test but is seen as one of the tools to be used in identifying the herd's nutritional problems.

Factors to be evaluated along with the metabolic profile test in the enterprise:

Record analysis: Important situations such as disease prevalence, production, milk composition, and dry matter intake should be recorded to provide general information about the herd. 
Evaluation of the animals' condition: The body condition score, rumination, and conditions such as laminitis of the animals should be evaluated.
Evaluation of tools and equipment: Conditions such as the ventilation of the place where the animals are housed, the comfort of the pens, housing conditions, access to feed, access to water, and the cleanliness of the enterprise should be evaluated. 
Nutrition management: The total mixed ration method, renewal time and interval, 24-hour access to feed, storage, and feed preparation procedures should be evaluated.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study is to reveal the metabolic status of dairy cattle and to prevent economic losses by assisting in the early diagnosis of metabolic diseases.

Increasing fertility in dairy cattle farms with the use of the Metabolic Profile Test,
Increasing milk yield and quality in dairy cattle farms with the use of the Metabolic Profile Test,
Increasing the survival rate of calves in dairy cattle farms with the use of the Metabolic Profile Test,
Preventing common subclinical ketosis and fatty liver syndrome, milk fever, clinical-subclinical hypocalcemia, and the diseases caused by these conditions weakening the immune system during the peripartal period, such as mastitis, retained placenta, endometritis, delayed uterine involution, and hoof diseases in dairy cattle farms with the use of the Metabolic Profile Test,
Preventing milk and meat losses, drug expenses, milk losses due to drug use, losses due to early slaughter, veterinary services, and labor losses related to sick animals in dairy cattle farms with the use of the Metabolic Profile Test,
Reducing economic losses due to postpartum negative energy imbalance in dairy cattle farms with the use of the Metabolic Profile Test.
 

REGIONAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE PROJECT:
 

Contributions to Regional Development:

In dairy cattle farms, yield losses and slaughters due to metabolic diseases occur in 12% to 50% of cattle. Considering the importance of even one dairy cow in our country's economy, with the use of the Metabolic Profile Test, which has proven its economic feasibility, common subclinical ketosis and fatty liver syndrome, mineral metabolism deficiencies (milk fever, subclinical hypocalcemia), and the diseases caused by these conditions weakening the immune system during the peripartal period, such as mastitis, retained placenta, endometritis, delayed uterine involution, and hoof diseases will be prevented. Milk and meat loss, drug expenses, losses due to early slaughter, veterinary services, and labor losses related to sick animals will be prevented.

This project makes a significant contribution to regional development by closely monitoring the metabolic diseases of dairy cattle. Especially in agriculture-focused regions, sustainable urban transformation and the development of dairy cattle farms increase economic growth. Depending on the project, a 15% increase in the productivity of dairy cattle farms in the region is foreseen, which means more milk production and more income.

Thanks to the early diagnosis and treatment of periparturient diseases, annual expenses for veterinary services can decrease by approximately 20%, reducing the costs of enterprises and increasing profit margins. Healthier dairy cattle and increased milk production in the region increase labor demand and support local employment.

Contributions to the Problems and Development of the Sector:

This project is of great importance in contributing to the problems faced by the dairy cattle sector and its development potential. 
 

Thanks to the monitoring of metabolic health and early diagnosis of metabolic diseases in dairy cows, an annual increase of approximately 10% in milk production can be achieved. This increases the income of dairy cattle farms.
 

Increasing the use of the metabolic profile test contributes to improving the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic diseases in the dairy cattle sector. Thus, dairy cows can remain productive for a longer period.
 

Better understanding the nutritional status of the herd helps manage rations more effectively. This reduces feed costs and increases the profit margins of dairy cattle farms.
 

Healthier dairy cows require less veterinary intervention, reducing expenses for veterinary services.
 

Adopting a more effective approach to herd management in dairy cattle farms contributes to making the sector more sustainable.
 

In conclusion, the contributions of this project, supported by numerical data, have significant effects on the growth of the dairy cattle sector and the strengthening of local economies. The implementation of this project supports regional development, offers solutions to the sector's problems, and increases the sustainability of dairy cattle farms.

SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE PROJECT:
 

Contributions to the National Economy:
 

Increase in Milk Production: Thanks to the metabolic profile test, early diagnosis and treatment of metabolic diseases become possible. This ensures that dairy cows remain productive for a longer period. The annual increase in milk production can significantly contribute to the food industry by increasing the country's milk and dairy product production. For example, a 10% increase in milk production can increase revenue in the milk and dairy products sector.
 

Reduction in Veterinary Service Expenses: The metabolic profile test leads to a reduction in expenses for veterinary services through the early diagnosis of metabolic diseases. An annual decrease of 20% in veterinary services can be achieved. Thus, reducing the costs of farm operations and increasing their profitability.
 

Contributions to Social Welfare: 
 

Healthy and Reliable Food Products: Healthy dairy cows provide consumers with healthier and more reliable milk and dairy products. 
 

Increase in Farmers' Incomes: More efficient operations can increase farmers' incomes. This raises the living standards of farmers living in rural areas and contributes to economic welfare.
 

Increase in Labor Demand: The project can contribute to an increase in labor demand. Since herd management requires more expertise and attention, it is thought that it can help increase local job opportunities.
 

Contributions to Scientific Knowledge: 
 

New Research Opportunities: It is foreseen that the more widespread use of the metabolic profile test will encourage new research in the field of veterinary sciences. More information and data on the metabolic health of dairy cows will be collected. 
 

Supporting Academic Studies: The results of the project are thought to form the basis for more academic studies in the fields of veterinary medicine and dairy cattle farming.
 

Dairy Cattle Farms: With the application of the metabolic profile test, herd efficiency is expected to increase, thereby increasing financial profitability.
 

Farmers and Business Owners: Higher income can be achieved with healthier dairy cows.
 

Consumers: Access to healthier and more reliable milk and dairy products is provided.
 

Veterinarians: With the more widespread use of the metabolic profile test, income can be increased by providing consultancy and services related to it. 
 

Scientists and Researchers: New studies based on the project contribute to scientific knowledge.
 

In conclusion, this project will make significant contributions to the national economy, social welfare, and scientific knowledge, allowing a range of different stakeholders to benefit. Many individuals and institutions, from dairy cattle farms to consumers and from scientists to veterinarians, will benefit directly or indirectly from this project. The results of the project will make a significant contribution to the national economy and social welfare by strengthening the country's agricultural sector.