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.

Energy intake in late gestation affects blood metabolites in early lactation independently of milk production in dairy cows

“…There was no effect of pre-calving diet on energy intake post-calving, which is in accordance with results from other studies where limited effects on BCS at calving have been obtained (Grum et al, 1996;Tesfa et al, 1999;Keady et al, 2001;Dann et al, 2006). However, if the difference in BCS at calving had been of greater magnitude, a higher postcalving ME-intake would have been expected for cows which had been offered diet L pre-calving Garnsworthy and Jones, 1993;Agenä s et al, 2003;Douglas et al, 2006).…”

“…These two feeding strategies have been compared in a number of experiments but have often failed to show significant effects on metabolic indicators of fat and liver -E-mail: nicolas.friggens@agroparistech.dk metabolism post-calving. Offering a high-energy-density diet (H) in the dry period has, in some studies, increased non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) post-calving, compared to a low-energy-density diet (L) (Rukkwamsuk et al, 1998;Holtenius et al, 2003), but most studies have found no effect (Minor et al, 1998;Tesfa et al, 1999;Holcomb et al, 2001;Doepel et al, 2002;Rabelo et al, 2005;Dann et al, 2006). Different results have also been reported for liver lipid/triacylglycerol (TAG) where one study has shown a decreased content post-calving for cows offered an H diet in the dry period compared to an L diet (Doepel et al, 2002), others the opposite (Rukkwamsuk et al, 1998;Douglas et al, 2006), whereas others again have found no effect (Grum et al, 1996;Tesfa et al, 1999;Rabelo et al, 2005).…”

The impact of cow nutrition in the dry period on colostrum quality and immune status of calves

“…Dry cow nutrition may affect quality of colostrum (Dann et al 2006, Winkelman et al 2008. Colostrum produced by cows and the way of its application to calves during the first day of life are main factors determining the efficiency of colostrum immunoglobulin absorption, and therefore the level of calves' passive anti-infectious immunity (Godden et al 2009).…”

Nutrition, immune function and health of dairy cattle

“…Growing evidence indicates that overconsumption of energy during the dry period increases the severity of energy balance, reduces the liver function and increases the risk of metabolic diseases during early lactation (Herdt, 2000;Dann et al, 2006). Drackley and colleagues at the University of Illinois limited energy intake to ,100% of the National Research Council (2001) requirements by supplementing wheat straw for silage that allowed ad libitum intake in group-fed settings while remaining cost efficient for farmers.…”