JDS communications最新文献

{"title":"Comparative evaluation of bags used to collect samples of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and methane for use in open-circuit indirect calorimetry","authors":"A.K. Neff ,&nbsp;K.K. Buse ,&nbsp;A.L. Carroll ,&nbsp;T.M. Brown-Brandl ,&nbsp;P.J. Kononoff","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0774","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and oxygen (O₂) are the major gases produced by dairy cattle as a result of rumen fermentation and metabolism, and thus, their concentrations are frequently measured as a way of estimating heat production and energy metabolism. A well-utilized method of measuring gas consumption and production to estimate heat production is indirect calorimetry, which requires bags to retain the sampled gases until analysis. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of a polyvinyl fluoride gas bag (PF) and a multilayer fabrication gas bag containing an aluminum layer (NAP) to maintain respiratory gas composition in comparison to a polyethylene terephthalate bag (PET). For experiments 1 and 2, respiratory gases were collected from 6 multiparous, lactating Jersey cows using headbox-style indirect calorimeters. During experiment 1, PF and PET were used to sample respired gases of the headboxes for each cow. Experiment 2 used a similar design to compare NAP and PET. In both experiments, respired air was sampled into the gas bags for 5 h before being analyzed immediately to determine the concentrations of the gases. All bags were reanalyzed for gas concentrations at 24 and 72 h after sampling to determine the ability to maintain the concentration of gas over a 3-d period. In experiment 1, a tendency was observed for time by bag material interaction, as PET retained a consistent concentration of O₂ (20.37% ± 0.020%) over the 72-h period, whereas the O₂ concentration in PF increased from 20.37% to 20.47% ± 0.02%. Similarly for CO₂, PET maintained a consistent concentration of 0.653% ± 0.020% from hour 0 to 72, whereas PF significantly decreased from 0.65% to 0.55% ± 0.02%. No interactions between bag material and time occurred for CH₄ across 72 h for PET and PF, averaging 0.0421% ± 0.005%, respectively. In experiment 2, comparing NAP and PET, no bag material, time, or bag material by time interactions were observed for O₂ concentration, CO₂ concentration, or CH₄ concentration, averaging 20.37% ± 0.020% O₂, 0.648% ± 0.025% CO₂, and 0.0377% ± 0.0100% CH₄ between treatments. Results indicate a significant difference in gas concentrations over time for PF relative to PET, and no difference was observed in gas concentrations for NAP in comparison to the PET bag. Thus, gas bag material type and time to gas analysis should be considered to effectively characterize respiratory gas composition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"6 5","pages":"Pages 665-668"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modeling moisture sorption isotherms of milk powders at ambient and elevated temperatures using the dynamic dewpoint isotherm (DDI) method","authors":"Erika Kadas,&nbsp;Abass Oduola,&nbsp;Peter M. Rubinelli,&nbsp;Griffiths G. Atungulu,&nbsp;Jennifer C. Acuff","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2024-0683","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2024-0683","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The water activity of milk powders is a critical parameter for predicting quality and safety, but some retailers in the supply chain may be limited to measuring moisture content, which can be easier and more affordable. Moisture sorption isotherms relate moisture content to the corresponding water activity. In this study, moisture adsorption and desorption isotherms were determined for nonfat dry milk (NFDM) and milk protein concentrate (MPC-85) powder samples at ambient and elevated temperatures via the modernized dynamic dewpoint isotherm (DDI) method. Previously cited models (with coefficients determined through linear regression) were also fit to the data for predictive applications of determining shelf life and the potential changes to quality that thermal treatments or elevated storage temperatures could cause. The adsorption isotherms of NFDM were type II, whereas MPC-85 adsorption isotherms were type III. Both NFDM and MPC-85 exhibited type III desorption isotherms, likely due to crystalline components. Temperature significantly affected the adsorption and desorption isotherms of both NFDM and MPC-85. Hysteresis was observed between the adsorption and desorption isotherms for both powders at all temperatures, but the magnitude was greater for MPC-85. The modified Oswin, modified Chung-Pfost, and Guggenheim, Anderson, de Boer models best described NFDM and MPC-85 adsorption and desorption to different degrees, highlighting that treatment and storage of the powders are influenced by both composition and temperature. These findings provide tools for prediction and assessment of quality of 2 vastly different milk powders, which inform handling, processing, and storing milk powders with different protein and lactose concentrations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"6 5","pages":"Pages 629-634"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144912370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CalfSim tool: A free and user-friendly decision support tool for designing and simulating optimized feeding plans for dairy calves—A prediction assessment study","authors":"T.E. Da Silva,&nbsp;J.H.C. Costa","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0777","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0777","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Optimizing calf feeding strategies is critical for improving performance, health, and weaning transitions of preweaning animals. Despite the updated National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM, 2021) <em>Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle</em>, decision support tools integrating these equations for simulating optimized calf feeding strategies remain limited. To address this gap, we developed and tested the CalfSim, a free, user-friendly decision support tool designed to simulate and optimize feeding plans for dairy calves. CalfSim incorporates inputs that farmers can readily collect, enabling users to establish baseline scenarios, explore “what-if” questions, and evaluate the impacts of nutritional strategies on calf performance and rearing cost. The tool is built based on NASEM (2021) equations, with adaptations for predicting energy-allowable growth and solid feed intake under varying conditions. CalfSim's performance predictions were assessed using data from 27 studies, 24 from the <em>Journal of Dairy Science</em> and 3 other unpublished studies (n = 76 treatments, 258 BW observations, and 1,585 calves), demonstrating accurate and precise predictions (root mean square error = 8.56 kg, R² = 0.91, and concordance correlation coefficient = 0.93). However, farm-specific factors (e.g., disease incidence, environmental stress, genetics) can influence predictions, and these factors are not accounted for. This highlights the need for on-farm data to assist users in making more informed decisions (e.g., by comparing scenarios, calculating cost per kilogram of gain). CalfSim provides actionable insights for designing cost-effective feeding plans, making it a valuable resource for dairy nutritionists, farmers, students, and consultants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"6 5","pages":"Pages 654-659"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144912375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationships between birth or calving seasons and first-lactation performance of Holstein cows in the Midwestern United States","authors":"K.N. Brost,&nbsp;J.K. Drackley","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0764","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of birth season on performance of first-lactation Holstein cows. Further analysis was conducted to determine if the impact of calving season was a more appropriate indicator. This study analyzed data from 2009 to 2022 and included 524 primiparous Holstein cows from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Dairy Research Unit (Urbana, IL). Cows were managed per farm protocols. Seasons were assigned by birth and calving months: winter (December, January, February), spring (March, April, May), summer (June, July, August), and fall (September, October, November). The main comparison was winter versus summer seasons of birth and calving, but summer versus non-summer and winter versus non-winter were also used. Data were analyzed using the MIXED, UNIVARIATE, and MEANS procedures in SAS v. 9.4. Based on the first-lactation data, average test day milk yield (kg) for d 5 to 35 was less for summer-born cows in comparison to winter and non-summer-born cows. Average first test day fat and protein percentages were less for summer-born cows in contrast to winter. The length of pregnancy was less for summer-born cows compared with non-summer. The age at first calving (AFC) was lower for summer-born cows in comparison to winter and non-summer, whereas winter was greater than non-winter. No differences were observed for the number of times bred, number of lactations, or 305-d milk yield. Summer-calving cows tended to have less first test day milk yield (kg) compared with non-summer. First test day fat and protein percentages were lower for summer in comparison to winter and non-summer, whereas winter was greater than non-winter. Days pregnant were fewer for summer-calving cows relative to winter. Summer-calving cows stayed in the herd for fewer lactations than winter and non-summer, however winter-calving cows stayed for a greater number of lactations. Cows that calved in winter and summer tended to have lower AFC relative to non-winter and non-summer-calving cows, respectively. No differences were observed in times bred or 305-d milk yield. Overall, an association between birth and calving seasons was observed, suggesting their influence on first-lactation performance. Birth season data were more closely related to first test day milk yield and AFC, whereas calving season had a greater effect on first test day milk components and productive life, implying greater focus should be placed on calf husbandry and first-lactation cows calving during the warmest season in the Midwestern United States.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"6 5","pages":"Pages 640-643"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144912372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of pasture herbage intake equations based on dairy cow behavior recorded with the RumiWatch system","authors":"Fredy Schori ,&nbsp;Thorsten Haak ,&nbsp;Jessica Werner","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0752","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0752","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate estimation of individual feed intake is essential for calculating feed efficiency, planning diets, monitoring cow herds, and managing grazing cows. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and applicability of estimation equations developed to predict pasture herbage DMI (PHDMI) in dairy cows using behavioral traits recorded and scored by the RumiWatch system. The study had 4 primary objectives: (1) to compare the behavioral characteristic outputs of 2 versions of the RumiWatch converter (0.7.3.31 and 0.7.3.36); (2) to validate existing PHDMI estimation equations using an independent dataset of Swiss Fleckvieh and Holstein cows; (3) to assess the suitability of the equations for estimating the intake of fresh herbage and hay fed indoors; and (4) to determine whether the RumiWatch halter impedes feed intake. Nine behavioral characteristics relevant to the PHDMI estimation equations were evaluated with both converters and found to be consistent, with negligible differences in the results. The validation of 6 of the PHDMI estimation equations appeared to provide individual intake predictions for grazing cows with low mean bias and may be suitable for herd-level assessments. For individual cow PHDMI estimation, the utility appeared limited, as only a very small proportion of PHDMI variability was explained by the equations. However, the calculated root mean square error of ~15% is in the acceptable range, according to the literature. As expected, the equations largely underestimated the intake of fresh forage and hay fed indoors, negating their suitability for estimating the intake of combinations of grazed herbage and barn-fed forages. A comparison of hay intake in cows with or without the halter showed no evidence that wearing a correctly fitted RumiWatch halter reduced hay intake. These results highlight the potential of the RumiWatch system and the associated estimation equations to support herd-level PHDMI and underscore the need for further testing to improve its performance in diverse feeding environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"6 5","pages":"Pages 660-664"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144912376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toward the future of next-generation dairy foods—A processing perspective and economic analysis*","authors":"Gulustan Ozturk ,&nbsp;Charles F. Nicholson ,&nbsp;Richard W. Hartel","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2024-0727","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2024-0727","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is a need for sustainable food production and processing that reduces resource use and increases the availability of nutritious, innovative, and sustainable food. A coordinated, multisectoral approach across the food supply chain is essential to address global food and nutrition insecurity. The dairy industry produces abundant bioactive compound streams that can be examined for their valuable functionalities. Whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC) is a byproduct of whey protein isolate production and a source of many bioactive compounds, including the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). Milk fat globule membrane has unique functionalities, such as promoting brain development, modulating the immune system, improving the growth of desirable gut bacteria, and reducing inflammatory and metabolic diseases. We recently demonstrated that WPPC contained relatively higher levels of MFGM proteins, representing 23% of the total protein and phospholipids accounting for 20% of the total fatty acid pool. In this symposium review, we use WPPC as a case study to demonstrate dairy streams with the potential to be used as cutting-edge ingredients to develop next-generation dairy foods that are nourishing, innovative, and sustainable. Additionally, we assessed the economic costs and benefits of higher-valued uses of WPPC (e.g., in human food applications rather than as animal feed), which complements the discussion of the functionality of WPPC in various applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"6 5","pages":"Pages 714-719"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Evaluating cow identification reliability of a camera-based locomotion and body condition scoring system in dairy cows” (JDS Commun. 6:202–205)","authors":"D. Swartz,&nbsp;E. Shepley,&nbsp;G. Cramer","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-6-5-720","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-6-5-720","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"6 5","pages":"Page 720"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lag time from calving to first colostrum harvest in Holstein dairy cows: Association with colostral immunoglobulin G, volume, and dry matter","authors":"Sabine Mann ,&nbsp;Madeleine Spellman ,&nbsp;Grace Frederick ,&nbsp;Rupert Bruckmaier ,&nbsp;Haritha Somula ,&nbsp;Matthias Wieland","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0770","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0770","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this observational study was to describe the association between lag time from calving to first milking for colostrum harvest. Colostrum samples from primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows (n = 640) from a single herd milking approximately 5,200 cows 3 times daily in a 100-stall rotary parlor were used in this prospective cohort study. Calves were removed immediately after calving and not allowed to suckle their dam. Colostrum was harvested twice daily at 0930 and 1730 h and stored in a colostrum bank, from which all newborn calves were fed within 2 h after birth. Only cows milked at 0930 h were eligible for enrollment. Time of calving was recorded and time lag to the morning milking at 0930 h was calculated. Total yield of the colostrum was determined by weight. Colostrum samples were analyzed for IgG concentration by radial immunodiffusion and DM content by oven drying for 20 h at 100°C. Lag time in this cohort had a median of 10 h, ranged from 0 to 18 h, and was divided into 3 h increments to assess associations with outcomes of interest. Additionally, data were explored using segmented regression analyses. Total IgG yield was calculated from yield and IgG concentration. The association of colostral yield, IgG concentration, DM, as well as total IgG yield was analyzed for the different lag time groups using mixed effects linear regression. All lag time groups were compared with the control level 0 to 3 h using Dunnett's test. A total of 203 (31.7%), 149 (23.3%), 113 (17.7%), and 175 (27.3%) animals were in lactations 1, 2, 3, and ≥4, respectively. Cows were distributed with 78 (12.2%) in group 0 to 3 h, 116 (18.1%) in group &gt;3 to 6 h, 96 (15%) in group &gt;6 to 9 h, 123 (19.2%) in group &gt;9 to 12 h, 110 (17.2%) in group &gt;12 to 15 h, and 117 (18.3%) in the &gt;15 to 18 h group. When lag time exceeded 9 h, the concentration of IgG and DM percentage were lower than in the 0 to 3 h control level. Colostrum yield was higher than the control level when cows were milked for the first time &gt;15 h after calving. Segmented linear regression identified a breakpoint at 8.3 h for a decrease in IgG concentration and DM, as well as 5.7 h for an increase in yield. Lag time was not observed to be associated with total IgG yield in either model. After 9 h, a dilution effect was observed as demonstrated by a drop in IgG concentration and DM with no associated change in total IgG yield.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"6 5","pages":"Pages 654-659"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is methane emission genetically the same trait in young bulls and lactating dairy cows?","authors":"B. Heringstad ,&nbsp;K.A. Bakke","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0792","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0792","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>It is of interest to examine whether methane (CH₄) emission is genetically the same trait in young bulls and lactating dairy cows. The aim was therefore to estimate the genetic correlation between CH₄ emissions for Norwegian Red young bulls and lactating cows. Measures of CH₄ from GreenFeed (GF) were available from Geno's test station for young bulls and from GF units installed across 14 commercial dairy herds. Data from the years 2020 to 2023 were included. After data editing, the dataset consisted of 771,989 GF visits from 1,370 cows, and from the test station we had 112,071 GF visits from 244 young bulls. Each young bull had, on average, 40 d with CH₄ data, measured at 11 to 12 mo of age. Each visit to the GF provided an estimate of the animal's daily CH₄ emission originating from rumen fermentation. The traits analyzed were grams of CH₄ per animal per day, calculated as the daily average. The mean (SD) for cows and young bulls were 406 (108) and 222 (46) g of daily CH₄, respectively. A bivariate linear animal repeatability model was used to estimate (co)variance components. The estimated heritability (SE) of CH₄ emissions was 0.39 (0.04) for cows and 0.49 (0.15) for young bulls, and the estimated genetic correlation (SE) between the 2 traits was 0.63 (0.22). The large SE reflects that the genetic correlation was estimated based on information from relatively few animals, and results should therefore be interpreted cautiously. However, the results suggest that phenotyping future young artificial insemination bulls is valuable for the genetic evaluation of methane emissions in Norwegian Red, even if CH₄ emission is not exactly the same trait genetically in young bulls and lactating cows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"6 5","pages":"Pages 681-682"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nonesterified fatty acids during the dry period and their association with peripartum disorders, culling, and pregnancy in dairy cows","authors":"J. Denis-Robichaud ,&nbsp;I. Nicola ,&nbsp;H. Chupin ,&nbsp;J.-P. Roy ,&nbsp;S. Buczinski ,&nbsp;V. Fauteux ,&nbsp;N. Picard-Hagen ,&nbsp;J. Dubuc","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0784","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0784","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this ambidirectional observational cohort study was to explore how nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) 22 to 35 d before calving were related to NEFA 1 to 14 d before calving and to determine a threshold that could be used to identify cows at risk of poor postpartum health. We enrolled 855 dairy cows from 46 herds, 362 prospectively and 493 retrospectively. The NEFA concentrations were measured during the far-off period (foNEFA; 3 to 5 wk before calving) and in the close-up period (cuNEFA; up to 2 wk before calving), and postpartum infectious and metabolic disorders, reproduction success, and culling were recorded. Using a split dataset, we (1) determined a threshold maximizing the sum of sensitivity and specificity to identify peripartum conditions by classifying elevated NEFA and (2) assessed the associations between elevated NEFA and altered health and reproduction. The associations were expressed as the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% Bayesian credible interval (BCI). The concentration of foNEFA varied from 60 to 700 µmol/L (median = 149), and a threshold of ≥160 µmol/L was identified. Cows with elevated foNEFA had greater odds to have elevated cuNEFA (OR = 183, 95% BCI = 52.1–458), hyperketonemia (OR = 2.0, 95% BCI = 1.0–3.6), displaced abomasum (OR = 12.3, 95% BCI = 1.6–45.8), metritis (OR = 9.4, 95% BCI = 1.3–36.0), and clinical mastitis (OR = 5.8, 95% BCI = 1.9–12.1) than cows below the threshold. Our results suggest that foNEFA, using a threshold of ≥160 µmol/L, could be used by veterinarians as a monitoring or investigating tool to assess cows' negative energy balance before calving, even earlier than 2 wk prepartum. This monitoring could be used to implement early corrective actions to prevent the effect of negative energy balance on reproduction and peripartum health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"6 5","pages":"Pages 688-693"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}