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Speakers confirm their contribution to symposium "Energy metabolism in dairy cows" on 18 June 2020

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January 10, 2020

The energy metabolism of dairy cows in all its complexity is central to animal performance and production as well as animal health. Nine international speakers will share their thoughts on various aspects of the topic during the International Dairy Nutrition Symposium, Thursday 18 June 2020 in Wageningen.

The importance of the energy metabolism of dairy cows is evident in the transition period, when the energy requirements rapidly increase and metabolic capacity is challenged. During the rest of the lactation cycle, the interaction between the protein and energy metabolism is still very relevant to optimize performance with minimal environmental losses. The effect of the energy metabolism on animal health and specifically the interaction with the animal's immune system are very relevant as well.

Programme

During the symposium on 18 June 2020, nine experts from the Netherlands and abroad will present their perspective on various factors involved in the energy metabolism of dairy cows. Prof. Chris Reynolds (University of Reading) will kick-off by presenting recent developments in our understanding of the interaction between energy and protein metabolism, followed by Dr. Jan Dijkstra (Wageningen University) discussing the losses of energy in nutrition and physiology. Three Wageningen researchers (Dr. Ariëtte van Knegsel, Dr. Akke Kok and Roselinde Goselink) will share their recent work in transition cow energy metabolism in short presentations focussing on the effect of dry period length, lactation length and lipid metabolism. After lunch, Dr. Melanie Schären (University of Leipzig) will continue to discuss the relationship between energy metabolism and liver function, followed by an international speaker working on the interaction between energy metabolism and immune function (to be confirmed). Dr. Ellen Schmitt-Van de Leemput (Clinique Veterinaire Vetperformance) will continue with some practical issues working with energy metabolism disorders in practice. The day will be closed by Prof. Daniel Weary (University of British Columbia) sharing his work on welfare, lameness and cow comfort.

Representatives from feed, feed additive and dairy industry, knowledge institutes and governmental organizations as well as veterinarians, students and others who are interested are more than welcome at the symposium!