Acute recumbency and marginal phosphorus deficiency in dairy cattle

Because of a mixing error at a local feed mill, a diet marginally deficient in phosphorus, compared with recommendation from the National Research Council, was fed to a high-producing dairy herd for 5 months. Two mature cows in early lactation became recumbent. Serum phosphorus concentration in 1 cow was low (1.8 mg/dl), but was not measured in the other cow. Ten other high-producing, first-lactation cows in the herd developed severe lameness. Results of analysis of rib bone samples from the recumbent cows were consistent with changes associated with demineralization. Bone ash, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations were lower than published ranges for healthy cattle. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations in 8 unaffected cows were normal. For 6 unaffected cows, mean serum hydroxyproline concentration was higher during the period that the phosphorus-deficient diet was fed than when an adequate diet was fed. Moderate (15%) restrictions in dietary phosphorus intake, compared with National Research Council recommendations, can possibly result in health problems in high-producing dairy cattle.