Fatty liver and displaced abomasums in a TMR‐fed dairy herd

A change was made to a total mixed ration (TMR) on a farm of 200 Holstein‐Friesian cows. At the same time a higher proportion of maize silage to grass silage was fed. As a result, 305‐day yields increased dramatically over an 18‐month period from 7600 to 9100 litres. Greater problems (an increased incidence of displaced abomasums, retained fetal membranes and endometritis) were experienced on the new management system in freshly‐calved cows. The underlying problem, which was diagnosed from clinical signs and blood sample results, was thought to be fatty liver caused by overfeeding in late lactation and in the early dry period.