The effect of prepartum synthetic zeolite supplementation on the eating, lying and activity behaviours of grazing dairy cows

This study determined the effect of feeding synthetic zeolite A prepartum to reduce periparturient hypocalcaemia risk on the eating, lying, and activity behaviours of multiparous grazing dairy cows. Animals were randomly allocated to either a Zeolite treatment group (n = 21; individually fed 500 g/d zeolite for two weeks prepartum) or a Control group (n = 22). Behaviour data obtained from accelerometers were analysed to determine the effects of treatment, parity (Parity 2-3 vs. 4+), and their interactions during 3 periods: PRE (-21 to -3 d), PERI (-2-2 d) and POST (3-28 d) relative to the day of calving (day 0). Parity 2-3 Zeolite cows ate for 18 min/day less than Parity 2-3 Control cows PRE. Zeolite-fed cows also ate for 24 min/day less than Control cows during the PERI period. There were no treatment differences in lying time or activity PRE or PERI, but Zeolite-fed cows spent more time lying POST. Regardless of treatment, Parity 2-3 cows were generally more active and ate for longer than Parity 4 + cows. Our results suggest zeolite may subtly decrease appetite or alter eating behaviour during the supplementation period, particularly in younger cows, and may improve cow comfort postcalving.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of feeding synthetic zeolite A to multiparous grazing dairy cows and found that it may decrease appetite or alter eating behavior, particularly in younger cows. It may also improve cow comfort postcalving.