Prepartum DMI Research Articles

Effect of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on adaptation of cows to postpartum diets and on lactational performance.

Multiparous (n = 26) and primiparous (n = 18) Holstein cows were fed prepartum and postpartum total mixed diets that were, or were not, supplemented with a yeast culture (YC) for approximately 23 d prepartum and 56 d postpartum. Multiparous cows supplemented with YC selected a prepartum diet higher in CP than did unsupplemented cows, although prepartum performance of cows of both parities, as assessed by DMI and measures of body status, was not influenced by YC. The extent of the prepartum DMI depression was not influenced by YC supplementation in cows of either parity. An intake behavior study with six multiparous cows suggested that cows supplemented with YC exhibited repeated diurnal feed intake patterns until approximately 7 d prepartum, vs 10 d prepartum for unsupplemented cows. Cows of both parities supplemented with YC had numerically higher DMI and production of milk and milk components, although only DMI for multiparous cows and milk production for primiparous cows approached statistical significance. Intake behavior results suggested that cows supplemented with YC achieved repeated diurnal feed intake patterns by approximately 14 d postpartum, vs 20 d postpartum for unsupplemented cows. Concentrations of ruminal metabolites and pH did not differ between treatments, although ruminal fluid collection occurred while diurnal feed intake patterns were repeated (regular). Overall, our results can be interpreted to support a trend toward a modest postpartum improvement in performance of primiparous and multiparous cows supplemented with this YC for 23 d prepartum and 56 d postpartum. However, primiparous cows seemed to achieve this modest overall improvement primarily through enhanced postpartum DMI, whereas in multiparous cows it was due almost equally to enhanced postpartum DMI and higher energy density of the diet.

Effect of Undegradable Protein Amount Fed Prepartum on Postpartum Production in First Lactation Holstein Cows

Twenty primigravid Holsteins were paired by expected calving date and estimated producing ability and assigned randomly to one of two diets to determine the effect of prepartum supplemented undegradable protein on subsequent productive performance. Diets were isocaloric, isonitrogenous for degradable protein and differed in undegradable protein content. Prepartum diets were fed for ad libitum intake for 3 wk prior to calving. Following parturition, a single diet was offered for ad libitum intake. Cows did not differ in initial BW or body condition score. Body condition score, BW, and milk composition were measured weekly, starting at calving through the first 6 wk of lactation. Milk production was measured daily. Prepartum diet did not influence calf birth weight or mean prepartum DMI. Prepartum diet containing increased undegradable protein improved body condition score at calving through wk 6 postcalving and increased milk protein percentage. Mean daily protein production was consistently greater for the prepartum diet with additional undegradable protein. Milk, FCM, and milk fat were not influenced by prepartum diet. Supplemental undegradable protein prepartum may improve postpartum performance by minimizing mobilization of maternal labile protein pools to meet fetal and maternal growth requirements in late gestation.