Lactational responses to energy and protein supplies during the dry period in dairy cows

Abstract

Nutritional manipulation during the dry period can alter subsequent animal responses to feeding in terms of milk yield and composition. Previous research has shown interesting differences in milk production and composition due to energy or protein supply in the dry period (Moorbyet al., 1996). The objective of this experiment was to test the interaction between energy and protein supplies during the dry period on subsequent milk production and composition. Effects on live weight gains and condition scores are reported in a separate summary (Jaurenaet al., 2001).