We all know that feed intake decreases by 20% or more in the days immediately before calving. We know that cows are in a negative energy balance during early lactation. When these deficiencies become too great or continue too long cows develop ketosis and reduced resistance to disease. A well balanced transition diet is critically important to prevent milk fever and negative energy balance. This strategy is compromised when cows decrease their feed intake immediately before calving.

Force feeding cows means oral administration of water and nutrients. This can be done by; 1) drenching cows with a one or two liter bottle, 2) using a caulking gun to deliver a thick paste-like material in the back of the mouth or, 3) using an esophageal pump system to deliver large volumes of water and nutrients in a short period of time.

Drenching cows with a bottle is time consuming and limits the volume of material that can be administered. Caulking guns sometimes cause injury to cows throat and also limits the volume of material administered. The most common method in the U.S. is the esophageal pump system. Systems are available that allow one person to easily pump 5 gallons of water and nutrients into a cows rumen in two minutes. The tube that is inserted into the esophagus has an enlargement on the end so the operator can feel the tube is safely in the esophagus. Some people use electric powered pumps when treating large herds.

How do we know if we should recommend this treatment to our clients? What nutrients should we use and how much water is needed? How often should the treatment be given? These are all good questions. The problem is that only limited research has been performed by scientists on these types of treatments. Another problem in the U.S. is that several feed companies are marketing new products designed for pumping into cows at calving time. Remember, it is easy to get approval of a new feed product and much more difficult to get approval for a new drug. So once again veterinarians are being asked about these treatments and we do not have adequate information to make an intelligent decision.

Let's look at some critical nutrients that could help cows following calving. Oral administration of calcium chloride and calcium propionate have been shown to raise blood calcium in cows. This is why some dairymen purchase calcium chloride in a caulking gun system and treat cows at calving time. We also know that giving l.0 to 1.5 pounds of calcium propionate in 3 to 5 gallons of water by esophageal pump provides important energy and raises plasma calcium concentrations for several hours following calving. The propionate also provides a food energy source for cows.

Propylene glycol has been used for years as a daily oral treatment for ketosis. It provides a fast energy source. Dairymen drench cows with 300 to 500 milliliters of propylene glycol per day. We know this product works but cows do not like the taste when it is administered by drenching. Other nutrients that may have value when force fed at calving are fat, ground feeds, rumen microbials, yeast, magnesium, and phosphorus. Microbials and yeast have been rather strongly promoted in the U.S. They are thought to improve rumen digestion by improving lactic acid utilization and stabilizing rumen pH as the cow comes back on feed. Products on the market usually contain two to four times the recommended daily feeding rates. Repeat administration of high dose levels could possibly cause toxicity.

I was very encouraged to see the first scientific publication on force feeding cows at calving. Drs. S. Stokes and J. Goff published their work in Professional Animal Scientist, Volume 17:115-122, June, 2001. They also wrote a summary of their work in Hoards Dairyman, September 10, 2001, page 575. Drs. Stokes and Goff conducted a field trial on a large dairy in Texas. They examined the effects of force feeding 1.5 pounds of calcium propionate or 300 milliliters of propylene glycol administered in 2.5 gallons of water. The dairy force fed 169 cows at calving and again 24 hours later. The control group was force fed water with nothing added to it.

The results showed that daily milk production was 96, 99, and 92 pounds per cow per day for those groups force fed calcium propionate, propylene glycol, or water alone, respectively. Milk production for cows fed propylene glycol was significantly higher that those fed calcium propionate. Cows force fed propylene glycol and calcium propionate produced significantly more milk verses those force fed only water. Cows fed propylene glycol or calcium propionate also had significantly less metritis then the control group. The researchers conclusion was that the cost of treatment was justified by the higher milk production.

Dr. Whitmores comments: The question of the cost effectiveness of force feeding all cows at calving has been debated for several years in the U.S. It has been discussed on AABP Internet chat group on many occasions. Recently several veterinarians have stated that they believe that a large volume of water (5 gallons) and propylene glycol works very well for them. It is believed that the cow is dehydrated following calving. Force feeding 5 gallons of water re-hydrates the cow and adds 40 pounds of weight in the rumen. The added weight may cause the rumen to quickly fall to the floor of the abdomen. They speculate that this could help prevent abomasal displacement.

The take home message is that we now have one controlled field trial that indicates that force feeding water plus propylene glycol at calving is cost effective. Testimonials by dairymen and veterinarians have been inconclusive. Much more controlled research is needed. This is an important question. I think we have a chance to help cows at this critical time. We may have to conduct some of our own field trials.