Negative energy balance
When a cow needs more energy for milk, maintenance and activity than she eats, she starts burning body fat and muscle. HerdLine sees it in the milk first.
What it is
Negative energy balance (NEB) happens when a cow's energy needs for milk production, basic maintenance and activity exceed her energy intake. She covers the gap by mobilising stored fat and muscle.
What causes it
- Insufficient or poor-quality feed.
- Low body condition score at calving.
- Metabolic disorders such as ketosis.
- Heat stress or overcrowding.
- Illness that reduces appetite or nutrient absorption.
What it costs
High NEB lowers milk yield and milk composition, affects fertility and contributes to abomasal displacement, laminitis and ketosis.
How HerdLine detects it
The in-line analyser checks each cow's milk at every milking. HerdLine flags NEB from a significant rise in the fat-to-protein (F/P) ratio, taking into account milk yield, other milk parameters, breed and stage of lactation.
Economics of preventive treatment
In a case study, cows flagged in NEB and treated preventively produced 3.46 kg more energy-corrected milk per day than untreated cows over 122 days — about €133 extra profit per cow after treatment costs. Read the case study.
On the farm
A cow in the high-risk period showed no clinical signs, but HerdLine flagged a rising F/P ratio. Vets suspected subclinical ketosis and treated her with propylene glycol, vitamins, probiotics and liver support. Her fat-to-protein ratio and milk production then improved.