Effects of Dry Cow Grouping Strategy and Prepartum Body Condition Score on Performance and Health of Transition Dairy Cows

Abstract

Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 337) on two commercial dairy farms were used to determine the effects of feeding a close-up diet for 21 (treatment S) or 60 d (treatment L). Milk yield was not affected by treatment; however, cows fed treatment S tended to have increased yields of fat, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, and protein during the first 5 mo of their subsequent lactation compared to treatment L. Cows fed treatment L gained more body condition score (BCS) during the dry period and had longer days to first service. As a secondary objective, relationships of BCS at dry off and subsequent performance were evaluated. Cows with initial BCS < or =3.0 (thinner) tended to produce more milk during early lactation than cows with initial BCS > or = 3.25 (fatter). A trend for an interaction of treatment and initial BCS existed for milk yield such that thinner cows fed treatment S produced the most milk and fatter cows fed treatment S produced the least amount of milk; cows fed treatment L regardless of BCS produced an intermediate amount of milk. Subsequent reproductive performance was similar among thinner and fatter cows. These data indicate that 2 group nutritional strategies for dry cows are preferred, and BCS at dry off should be considered when determining grouping and nutritional strategies for dry cows. Furthermore, moderately thin cows at dry off do not have impaired performance during their subsequent lactation compared to cows of greater BCS.

Non-structural carbohydrates in the nutrition of high-yielding dairy cows during a transition period

“…This evaluation enables to maintain the herd's nutrition at the optimal level (Garnsworthy and Huggett, 1992). During the dry-up period, every farmer should care to keep BCS constant (Contreras et al, 2004).…”

Relationships among body condition score, milk yield and sires' breeding value for beef production efficiency in Czech Fleckvieh cattle

“…It means that higher BCS before calving is associated with lower milk yield after calving. In the study of Contreras et al (2004) the group of cows with BCS 3.0 points and less had higher milk yield (+1.25kg) in the first five months of lactation than the group with BCS 3.25 points and more. Harris (2006) andDal Zotto et al (2007) also confirmed the negative relationship between BCS and milk protein production; the genetic correlation ranged from -0.03 to -0.22.…”

Dairy Cows' Body Condition Score. Effects on reproduction, health and milk production. Use in farm management

“…Περαι τέρω αΰξησή του δεν οδηγεί σε ανάλογη αύξηση της γαλακτοπαραγωγής, ενώ οι Waltner et al (1993) ανέ φεραν χαρακτηριστικά ότι αύξηση από τη βαθμίδα 4 στη βαθμίδα 5 σχετιζόταν με μείωση της γαλακτοπα ραγωγής. Οι Domecq et al (1997) και οι Contreras et al (2004) ανέφεραν σημαντική αύξηση της γαλακτο παραγωγής σε αγελάδες στις οποίες αυξήθηκαν τα ε πίπεδα του Δ.Θ.Κ. κατά τη διάρκεια της ξηράς περιό δου.…”

“…Αντίθετα, θεωρείται αποδεκτό να ει σέρχονται οι αγελάδες στην ξηρά περίοδο στη βαθμί δα 2,75 έως 3 και να αυξάνουν τα σωματικά τους α ποθέματα κατά την περίοδο αυτή έως και 0,5 μονάδες του Δ.Θ.Κ. Πρόσφατα δημοσιευμένες μελέτες υπο στηρίζουν ότι μια τέτοια πρακτική μπορεί να έχει και ευεργετικά αποτελέσματα (Contreras et al 2004, Hoedemaker et al 2008). γ) Κατά τη διάρκεια των δυο πρώτων μηνών της γα λακτικής περιόδου είναι λογικό να υπάρχει μια κινη τοποίηση των σωματικών αποθεμάτων, η οποία όμως δε θα πρέπει να ξεπερνά τις 0,75 μονάδες του Δ.Θ.Κ.…”