Negative energy balance (NEB) is a problem that occurs in high-producing dairy cows in early lactation and leads to other health disorders that result in production and economic losses. The researchers aim to find indicators that can be used by the farmer to treat or prevent NEB in dairy cows. Based on experimental observation in a specific dairy cattle farm, it was found that monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and octadecenoic acid (C18:1) contents of milk can be effectively used for early estimation of NEB. The cut-off values that could be used for an 80% capture of cows in the NEB were ≥ 1.35 and 1.28 g/100 g milk for MUFA and C18:1, respectively. If the farmer manager in the above mentioned dairy operation would apply these recommendations and the dairy cows with suspected NEB would be dealt with in a timely manner, a total economic benefit (after deduction of additional costs) of 243 thousand CZK could be expected (i. e. 607 CZK per cow and year).