Post-partum diagnosis in Holstein dairy cows

Optimizing the diagnosis of metabolic disorders in high-yield Holstein cows is critical during the transition period, when negative energy balance and intense lipid mobilization heighten post-partum risk. Across 2020-2024, herd-level morbidity shows an overall decline, with marked reductions in metabolic ketosis (following very high levels in 2020-2022) and endometritis, consistent with improved transition management and earlier interventions. Displaced abomasum and retained placenta also decreased, suggesting better control of post-partum feed intake depression and related predisposing conditions. Conversely, hypocalcemia increased in 2024, pointing to either more intensive detection (including subclinical cases) or a genuine shift in risk factors and transition protocols.