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The average life span of dairy cows in the Netherlands is 5.8 years. The main reasons for involuntary culling in dairy cows are infertility, mastitis and locomotion disorders. These disorders often start during the first weeks of lactation due to the inability of the cow to cope with the metabolic changes of the new lactation. The main objective of the present study was to determine the value of the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) mid-infrared profile of milk samples taken from dairy cows in the first weeks of lactation 1) as an indicator of the metabolic state in early lactation; and 2) as a predictor of dairy cow’s survival to next lactation. Results showed that cows that reach the next lactation have a higher blood NEFA concentration and a higher milk production with less variation between days. In conclusion, survival of the complete lactation was related with milk performance and metabolic status of dairy cows in early lactation. De gemiddelde levensduur van melkkoeien in Nederland is 5,8 jaar. De voornaamste redenen voor onvrijwillige afvoer van melkvee zijn onvruchtbaarheid, mastitis, en klauw- en beenproblemen. Deze gezondheidsproblemen hebben vaak ook een relatie met de eerste weken van de lactatie vanwege een moeilijke lactatiestart of problemen bij de koe om zich aan te passen aan de nieuwe lactatie met stofwisselingsstoornissen als gevolg. Het doel van deze studie was om de waarde te bepalen van Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) profielen van melk in begin lactatie voor 1) indicatie van metabole status van de koe in begin lactatie; en 2) als voorspeller van het succesvol afronden van de lactatie. De resultaten laten zien dat koeien die de volgende lactatie bereikten aan het begin van de lactatie een hogere concentratie vetzuren in het bloed hadden en een hogere melkproductie met minder variatie tussen dagen.

Enhancing longevity by reducing involuntary culling and consequently increasing productive life and lifetime production of dairy cows is not only a strategy to improve a farm’s profit, but is also related to improved animal welfare. High rates of involuntary culling in dairy cows are currently attributed to fertility problems, mastitis and locomotive disorders. Disease incidence is high in particular in the early-lactation period. The high disease incidence in early lactation has been attributed to metabolic stress related to the high metabolic priority for lactation and the inability of the cow to adapt effectively to the new lactation. Several biological mechanisms interact in the peripartum period of dairy cows and can result in this inability to adapt effectively to lactation. Biological mechanisms reviewed are metabolic adaptation, oxidative stress, immune function and inflammation, and feed intake capacity. Although relationships between these mechanisms become increasingly clear, these relationships are complex and not yet completely understood. Appro- priate management of dairy cows in the peripartum period can facilitate cows to adapt to a new lactation. Nutritional and management strategies to ease adaptation are divided into strategies to restrict energy intake in the dry period, to improve energy intake in early lactation, alter repar- titioning of energy between milk and body tissue, and strategies to support fat or carbohydrate metabolism. The success of various strategies, however, is often hampered by the complexity of interactions and high between-cow variation. We advocate for a multidisciplinary approach to understand and manage adaptation to a new lactation aiming at an improvement of cow welfare and longevity