**Abstract**

The 'barrel model' of an organism's resource allocation pattern represents the basics for feeding regimes in farm practice. Several objections can be raised against the underlying theoretical assumptions, the generalizations derived from them, and the application of the model in practice. The concept particularly neglects the role of glucose and the increased competition for it between lactocytes and immune cells. It also fails to recognize the large variation between and within dairy herds. Lack of success in reducing production diseases calls for a modified approach – one which not only deals appropriately with the large variation between and within the dairy herds but also strives to balance the existing productivity/animal health/financial trade-offs. Instead of following general procedures, nutrient supply and outflow via milk have to be adapted to the individual requirements and health risks. To do so, the percentage of dairy cows affected by production diseases and failing to cope is a key criterion. Benchmarking of production diseases could act as an orientation point for farmers to compare their own position to other farms and thus set realistic target figures. Furthermore, means and measures to achieve goals have to be validated in the context in which they are used.

**Keywords:** complexity, energy balance, glucose deficits, production diseases, target figures, role of animal science, reductionist approach

### **1. Introduction**

Various field studies suggest that dairy farming in general has up to now failed to substantially reduce the prevalence of nutritional disorders and associated comorbidities [1–3]. According to LeBlanc [2], dairy production is challenged by the fact that 30–50% of dairy cows are affected by some form of metabolic or infectious disease around the time of calving. The knee-jerk reaction which insists we still do not know enough to considerably reduce the undesired side effects of production processes is not valid as long as the current knowledge is not adequately implemented. On the contrary, it could be argued that the seemingly never-ending search for further knowledge in the same direction can be blamed for preventing reflection and discussion about a possible need for fundamental changes in the strategic orientation of dairy farming. However, as long as research emphasis is placed on finding technical and genetic solutions for current problems, the impression is created, and will remain, that there is no need to consider modifying the actual dairy systems. Yet in light of the lack of success, the question arises whether the high prevalence of production diseases (Pds) is not in fact an inherent problem of the production

processes across the dairy industry. In raising this basic question, it is not the intention of the following script to repeat or summarize the general recommendations found in literature and text books that claim to provide options for reducing these serious problems. Instead, the objective is to question predominant thinking patterns and to reflect on the weak points and driving forces that might be responsible for preventing effective progress in the reduction of Pds in dairy farming.
