Most dairy cows experience a period of energy deficit following calving due to increased energy demands of lactation coupled with decreases in nutrient intake. Inability to adapt to this period results in metabolic disease such as ketosis.

When dairy cows transition from late gestation to early lactation, they often enter a state of energy deficit as increased energy demands are not met by the level of intake.

Mastitis is one of the most common and costly diseases facing the dairy industry today. Annually, over $2 billion are lost to mastitis alone, with an average per-case cost estimated at $444.