Effects of dietary energy allowance in grass silage-based diets during the dry period on production responses and utilization of body reserves in dairy cows

Tuomo Kokkonen,Seija Jaakkola,Siru Salin,Kari Elo,Aila Vanhatalo,Juhani Taponen

doi:10.23986/afsci.74369

Abstract

The aim was to study if overconsumption of grass silage during the far-off dry period (FODP) and decreasing feed allowance in close-up dry period (CUDP) affect body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) changes, as well as lactation performance and body tissue mobilization after calving in dairy cows. Control diet (CON) was fed to meet the metabolizable energy (ME) requirements, the test diet (HEI) averaged 144% and 119% of ME requirements in the FODP and CUDP, respectively. All cows were fed concentrates in the CUDP (30% of ME d-1). Plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were lower and insulin tended to be higher in HEI vs. CON prepartum. No dietary effects in accretion or mobilization of body reserves were observed, and accordingly no differences in silage DMI, ME balance and plasma parameters postpartum were detected. Concentrate DMI and milk yield tended to be lower in HEI vs. CON during early lactation.

Highlights

Maximizing feed intake during the early weeks of lactation is one of the key elements of successful transition from pregnancy to lactation
The objective of this study was to investigate whether overconsumption of GS during the far-off dry period (FODP) and decreasing feed allowance in close-up dry period (CUDP) affect body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) changes as well as lactation performance and body tissue mobilization after calving in dairy cows
The slightly lower metabolizable energy (ME) intake of high energy feeding (HEI) relative to target was due to smaller grass silage intake than expected

Summary

Introduction

Maximizing feed intake during the early weeks of lactation is one of the key elements of successful transition from pregnancy to lactation. Elevated energy intake (EI) before parturition and the subsequent greater body condition score (BCS) at calving have been linked to lower dry matter intake (DMI) after parturition (Douglas et al.2006, Janovick and Drackley 2010). Prepartal diets that meet or fall behind the ME requirements decreased lipid mobilization postpartum (Kokkonen et al 2005, Douglas et al 2006), and milk fat concentration (Keady et al 2001, Agenäs et al 2003). Feeding according to or below the energy requirements, as compared to ad libitum feeding during the FODP resulted in lower circulating postpartal NEFA with a positive effect on DMI and energy intake during the first weeks of lactation (Dann et al 2006, Cardoso et al 2013)

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