Document Type

Other

Publication Date

5-1-2011

Keywords

dry cow, feeding programs, high production, dairy cows, production losses

Extension Number

ExEx 4047

Department

Dairy Science

Description

Under ideal conditions, dairy cows produce milk during 305 days of the year and are dry the remaining 60 (table 1). In reality, feeding for high production should begin during the dry period or towards the end of the previous lactation. With dry periods shorter than 40 days, there’s not enough time to regenerate the mammary tissue; this may result in production losses of 20–40% during the next lactation. Dry periods longer than 70 days do not promote an increase in production and may result in calving difficulties that are costly to the producer.

Comments

May 2011.

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