ARTICLE 76 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE November 2022 Arshad et al. (2020) published the results of a meta-analysis of choline ion supplementation. Statistically, RPs and mastitis incidence, tended to decrease. However, incidences of all diseases monitored were numerically lower with the exception of ketosis. The costs associated with metabolic and infectious diseases in transition cows are significant to dairy producers. Liang et al. (2017) estimated the cost of 7 common transition diseases in United States dairy herds. Table 1 is adapted from the that study and shows the estimated costs of each disease excluding that associated with lost milk. As strongly supported by the Arshad et al. (2020) study, feeding choline during transition increases milk production. It can be assumed that some of the milk production increase is associated with healthier cows. So, to separate the economic losses due to decreased milk production from the other costs associated with the disease, lost production cost was taken out of the Liang et al. (2017) economic calculations. Using the incidence rates and changes in disease incidence reported in the Lima et al. (2012) study we can get an idea of the potential economic benefits associated with feeding choline pre- and postpartum through improved health independent of improved milk production (Table 2). This data excludes preliminary data (Zenobi et al., 2018b; Bollatti et al., 2020) that suggests that choline may help mitigate the prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia, an economically important Item Mastitis Metritis RPs LDA Ketosis Milk Fever Labor 11.53 9.77 11.94 15.50 11.76 12.59 Discarded Milk 65.44 41.12 NA NA NA NA Culling and Death 23.14 26.88 NA 61.17 12.67 55.25 Extended Days Open 86.16 84.67 84.79 85.28 85.29 85.28 Total Cost 264.01 252.47 181.42 359.17 162.16 238.37 Veterinary and Treatment 77.74 90.03 84.69 197.22 52.44 85.25 Table 1. Total disease cost and the contribution from each category Disease Retained Placenta Clinical Ketosis Displaced Abomasum Mastitis Metritis Total % Reduction 9.5 65.0 49.8 34.5 30.1 Disease Cost*, $ 181.42 162.16 359.17 264.01 252.47 Savings per 100 cows 193 1,191 805 2,049 859 5,097 Control Incidence Rate, % 11.2 11.3 4.5 22.5 11.3 Table 2. Potential Impact of Choline Supplementation During Transition on Health and Economics *Adapted from Liang et al. (2017) – cost per incident in USD. Excludes cost of lost production. Adapted from Liang et al. (2017) – cost per incident in USD. Excludes cost of lost production.
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