Diets During Far-Off and Close-Up Dry Periods Affect Periparturient Metabolism and Lactation in Multiparous Cows

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of far-off and close-up diets on prepartum metabolism, postpartum metabolism, and postpartum performance of multiparous Holstein cows. From dry-off to -25 d relative to expected parturition (far-off dry period), cows were fed a control diet to meet National Research Council (NRC) recommendations for net energy for lactation (NE(L)) at ad libitum intake (100NRC; n = 25) or a higher nutrient density diet, which was fed for either ad libitum intake to provide at least 150% of calculated NE(L) requirement (150NRC; n = 25) or at restricted intake to provide 80% of calculated NE(L) requirements (80NRC; n = 24). From -24 d relative to expected parturition until parturition (close-up period), cows were fed a diet that met or exceeded NRC nutrient recommendations at either ad libitum intake (n = 38) or restricted intake (n = 36) to provide 80% of the calculated NE(L) requirement. After parturition, all cows were fed a lactation diet and measurements were made through 56 d in milk (DIM). Prepartum metabolism was consistent with the plane of nutrition. During the first 10 DIM, far-off treatments had significant carryover effects on dry matter intake, energy balance, serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration, and serum beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration. Cows with the lower energy balance during the far-off period (100NRC and 80NRC) had higher dry matter intake and energy balance and lower serum NEFA and beta-hydroxybutyrate during the first 10 DIM. There were no effects of close-up diet and no interactions of far-off and close-up treatments. During the first 56 DIM, there were no residual effects of far-off or close-up diets on dry matter intake, milk yield or composition, body weight, body condition score, serum glucose and insulin concentrations, or muscle lipid concentration. Serum NEFA was higher for 150NRC than 80NRC; 100NRC was intermediate. Thus, the effects of far-off and close-up treatments on postpartum variables diminished as lactation progressed. Overfeeding during the far-off period had a greater negative impact on peripartum metabolism than did differences in close-up period nutrition.

Effects of twin pregnancy and dry period feeding strategy on milk production, energy balance, and metabolic profiles in dairy cows1

“…Benefits associated with feeding a moderate energy diet throughout the entire dry period may include prevention of excessive prepartum adipose tissue mobilization, avoiding DMI fluctuations associated with diet change, or maintaining a more stable rumen environment throughout the dry period. Our findings contradict those previously reported by Dann et al (2006), in which a low energy diet through the dry period was the most favorable feeding strategy; however, neither the present study nor the study by Dann et al (2006) was designed to evaluate the impact of feeding strategy on the frequency and severity of peripartum health events. Thus, further research is needed before recommending any feeding management change during the dry period.…”

Effects of twin pregnancy and dry period feeding strategy on milk production, energy balance, and metabolic profiles in dairy cows1

“…Benefits associated with feeding a moderate energy diet throughout the entire dry period may include prevention of excessive prepartum adipose tissue mobilization, avoiding DMI fluctuations associated with diet change, or maintaining a more stable rumen environment throughout the dry period. Our findings contradict those previously reported by Dann et al (2006), in which a low energy diet through the dry period was the most favorable feeding strategy; however, neither the present study nor the study by Dann et al (2006) was designed to evaluate the impact of feeding strategy on the frequency and severity of peripartum health events. Thus, further research is needed before recommending any feeding management change during the dry period.…”

Blood immunometabolic indices and polymorphonuclear neutrophil function in peripartum dairy cows are altered by level of dietary energy prepartum

“…During the first week after calving, NE L intake was similar in both groups. In a similar fashion, BW was greater (diet, P < 0.05) during the last 2 wk prepartum and a tendency for being greater during the first wk postpartum (diet, P = 0.07) in the overfed group, which agrees with previous work with similar treatments (Dann et al, 2006;Janovick and Drackley, 2010). The overfed group also had greater BCS from −4 wk until calving (diet, P < 0.05) and a tendency for being greater during the first week postcalving (diet, P = 0.06).…”

Effects of prepartum dietary protein level and feed intake on postpartum lactation performance and feeding behavior of multiparous Holstein dairy cows

“…A prepartum energy balance of 105 versus 165% of the NRC ( 2001) requirements in CNI versus ALI groups, respectively, was achieved in both low and high MP groups. The effects of time relative to calving are consistent with the previous studies on DMI, milk yield and composition, BW, BCS (Dann et al, 2006;Douglas et al, 2006;Janovick and Drackley, 2010), serum metabolites (Dann et al, 2006;Douglas et al, 2006;Janovick et al, 2011), and feeding behavior (Proudfoot et al, 2009;Mullins et al, 2012;Yuan et al, 2015). In our study, prepartum average eating time of 255 min/d in ALI cows with 13.9 kg/d of DMI was close to the previously reported total eating time of 259 min/d with 14.5 kg/d of DMI (Zimpel et al, 2018).…”

Effects of twin pregnancy and dry period feeding strategy on milk production, energy balance, and metabolic profiles in dairy cows1

“…Benefits associated with feeding a moderate energy diet throughout the entire dry period may include prevention of excessive prepartum adipose tissue mobilization, avoiding DMI fluctuations associated with diet change, or maintaining a more stable rumen environment throughout the dry period. Our findings contradict those previously reported by Dann et al (2006), in which a low energy diet through the dry period was the most favorable feeding strategy; however, neither the present study nor the study by Dann et al (2006) was designed to evaluate the impact of feeding strategy on the frequency and severity of peripartum health events. Thus, further research is needed before recommending any feeding management change during the dry period.…”

Blood immunometabolic indices and polymorphonuclear neutrophil function in peripartum dairy cows are altered by level of dietary energy prepartum

“…During the first week after calving, NE L intake was similar in both groups. In a similar fashion, BW was greater (diet, P < 0.05) during the last 2 wk prepartum and a tendency for being greater during the first wk postpartum (diet, P = 0.07) in the overfed group, which agrees with previous work with similar treatments (Dann et al, 2006;Janovick and Drackley, 2010). The overfed group also had greater BCS from −4 wk until calving (diet, P < 0.05) and a tendency for being greater during the first week postcalving (diet, P = 0.06).…”

Effects of prepartum dietary protein level and feed intake on postpartum lactation performance and feeding behavior of multiparous Holstein dairy cows

“…A prepartum energy balance of 105 versus 165% of the NRC ( 2001) requirements in CNI versus ALI groups, respectively, was achieved in both low and high MP groups. The effects of time relative to calving are consistent with the previous studies on DMI, milk yield and composition, BW, BCS (Dann et al, 2006;Douglas et al, 2006;Janovick and Drackley, 2010), serum metabolites (Dann et al, 2006;Douglas et al, 2006;Janovick et al, 2011), and feeding behavior (Proudfoot et al, 2009;Mullins et al, 2012;Yuan et al, 2015). In our study, prepartum average eating time of 255 min/d in ALI cows with 13.9 kg/d of DMI was close to the previously reported total eating time of 259 min/d with 14.5 kg/d of DMI (Zimpel et al, 2018).…”

Effects of twin pregnancy and dry period feeding strategy on milk production, energy balance, and metabolic profiles in dairy cows1

“…Benefits associated with feeding a moderate energy diet throughout the entire dry period may include prevention of excessive prepartum adipose tissue mobilization, avoiding DMI fluctuations associated with diet change, or maintaining a more stable rumen environment throughout the dry period. Our findings contradict those previously reported by Dann et al (2006), in which a low energy diet through the dry period was the most favorable feeding strategy; however, neither the present study nor the study by Dann et al (2006) was designed to evaluate the impact of feeding strategy on the frequency and severity of peripartum health events. Thus, further research is needed before recommending any feeding management change during the dry period.…”

Blood immunometabolic indices and polymorphonuclear neutrophil function in peripartum dairy cows are altered by level of dietary energy prepartum

“…During the first week after calving, NE L intake was similar in both groups. In a similar fashion, BW was greater (diet, P < 0.05) during the last 2 wk prepartum and a tendency for being greater during the first wk postpartum (diet, P = 0.07) in the overfed group, which agrees with previous work with similar treatments (Dann et al, 2006;Janovick and Drackley, 2010). The overfed group also had greater BCS from −4 wk until calving (diet, P < 0.05) and a tendency for being greater during the first week postcalving (diet, P = 0.06).…”

Effects of prepartum dietary protein level and feed intake on postpartum lactation performance and feeding behavior of multiparous Holstein dairy cows

“…A prepartum energy balance of 105 versus 165% of the NRC ( 2001) requirements in CNI versus ALI groups, respectively, was achieved in both low and high MP groups. The effects of time relative to calving are consistent with the previous studies on DMI, milk yield and composition, BW, BCS (Dann et al, 2006;Douglas et al, 2006;Janovick and Drackley, 2010), serum metabolites (Dann et al, 2006;Douglas et al, 2006;Janovick et al, 2011), and feeding behavior (Proudfoot et al, 2009;Mullins et al, 2012;Yuan et al, 2015). In our study, prepartum average eating time of 255 min/d in ALI cows with 13.9 kg/d of DMI was close to the previously reported total eating time of 259 min/d with 14.5 kg/d of DMI (Zimpel et al, 2018).…”