Dairy cows produce up to 7 gallons of milk per day, if milked 3 times daily. Dairy cows require a well-balanced diet for optimum health and milk production. Vitamins, minerals and supplements are added to a dairy cow's diets when necessary. Milking dairy cows eat about 100 lbs of feed per day. Feed includes hay, silage and grains. Liquid vitamins and minerals are added to the diet when necessary.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential vitamin needed by dairy cows for bone growth, normal night vision and reproduction. Vitamin A helps form protective membranes within the lining of the eyes, respiratory track and the digestive track. Signs of vitamin A deficiency in dairy cows include still births, retained placentas and night blindness. Vitamin A liquid vitamins are usually combined in liquid form with other vitamins, such as D and E, in addition to crude protein and calcium, developing a well-balanced liquid feed in one convenient dose.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E improves the immune system to fight against bacteria and illnesses, helps reproduction functions and is an antioxidant, ridding the diary cows body of toxins within its system. White muscle disease and reproductive failure are signs of vitamin E deficiency in dairy cows. Vitamin E liquid vitamins are commonly combined with vitamin A and D, with phosphorus and minerals in liquid feed.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is required in a dairy cow's diet and liquid vitamin supplement regimen. Vitamin K plays an active role in providing nutrients to ensure normal blood clotting within the dairy cow's body. Deficiency signs of vitamin K is hemorrhaging and a delayed response in clotting time of the blood. Vitamin K is non-toxic, eliminating the chance of overdose and toxicity of the vitamin in dairy cows.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D enhances the absorption of phosphorus and calcium in the bones of dairy cows. Lack of vitamin D will cause older dairy cows to experience softening of the bones, while younger dairy cows will develop rickets, a painful disease. Vitamin D liquid vitamins are frequently added to a mixture of vitamin A and E, with minerals, phosphorus, calcium and crude protein. Liquid feed that includes a mixture of these ingredients improves fiber digestibility and stimulates rumen function in dairy cows. Veterinarians should be consulted before adding liquid vitamins to the diet of dairy cows. Proper levels of vitamins should be administered to avoid toxicity in dairy cows. If signs of deficiency is present, consult a veterinarian immediately.
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Writer Bio
Based in Miami, Shellie Alyssa has been writing articles since 2011. Her articles have appeared on a variety of popular and informative pet websites including munch.zone. In 2000, she was awarded an editors choice award for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry from the International Library of Poetry. She holds a fashion merchandising diploma from Penn Foster College.
