Effect of precalving and postcalving dietary energy level on performance and blood metabolite concentrations of dairy cows throughout lactation

Abstract

The effects of the level of energy intake (high E and low E) offered before and after calving on body condition score at calving, production performance, and energy status in the first 250 d of lactation were evaluated in a 2 × 2 factorial design experiment involving 80 Holstein-Friesian dairy animals (40 primiparous and 40 multiparous). From d 80 until d 21 precalving, primiparous animals were offered either high or low pasture allowances. Thereafter, these animals were housed and had ad libitum access to a high energy density diet (high E) or restricted access [6 kg of dry matter (DM) per d] to a low energy density diet (low E), respectively, until calving. From d 100 until d 42 precalving, multiparous animals were offered either ad libitum or restricted (10 kg of DM/d) access to a late lactation diet, and thereafter, had ad libitum access to a high E diet or restricted access (7 kg of DM complete diet/d) to a low E diet, respectively, until calving. The forage to concentrate (F:C) ratios (DM basis) of these high E and low E diets [d 42 (d 21 in primiparous animals) until calving] were 64:36 and 83:17, respectively. Cows offered high E and low E precalving diets were allocated to either a high E or low E postcalving diet [F:C ratio (DM basis) of 30:70 and 70:30, respectively] and remained on these diets until d 250 of lactation. Multiparous animals offered a high E diet precalving had a significantly higher body condition score at calving than those offered the low E diet precalving. This effect was not evident in primiparous animals. Precalving diet had no significant effect on plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentrations during the last 3 wk precalving in primi- or multiparous animals. Primiparous animals offered a high E diet precalving had significantly higher postcalving plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acid, suggesting greater mobilization of body reserves. Primi- and multiparous animals offered a high E diet postcalving had a significantly higher dry matter intake, milk yield, and energy status postcalving compared with animals offered a low E diet postcalving. Milk yields of primiparous animals offered high E and low E diets postcalving were 29.7 and 24.8 kg/d, respectively, and milk yield of multiparous animals offered high E and low E diets postcalving were 33.5 and 28.2 kg/d, respectively. It is concluded that altering body condition score during the dry period is difficult but that specific dietary regimens applied precalving can have a significant influence on postcalving production and energy-related parameters.

Influence of energy and nutrient supply pre and post partum on performance of multiparous Simmental, Brown Swiss and Holstein cows in early lactation

“…As in the study by Law et al (2011), the effect of postcalving energy supply was much greater than pre-calving treatment in present experiment. The lower concentrate allowance in early lactation was detrimental to milk production in L POST treatments.…”

“…Accordingly, the high energy group of the experiment mentioned above corresponds approximately to treatment M PRE , where a DMI of 9.96 kg and a DEB of -2.5 MJ NEL/day was achieved. Cows of the L PRE treatment had a relatively higher energy status compared with those of the low energy treatment in the Law et al (2011) study. The greater DMI depression of the H PRE cows of the present study is in agreement with the observations of others Winkelman et al, 2008;Janovick and Drackley, 2010) and supports the hypothesis of Rabelo et al (2003) that the drop in DMI as parturition approaches is greater the higher the energy intake is above requirements during the dry period.…”

“…Energy balance already began to decrease in week 7. In the study by Law et al (2011), multiparous cows offered ad libitum access to a high energy density diet pre-calving showed significantly higher DMI in the last 21 days before parturition than animals with restricted access to a low energy density diet (10.2 kg v. 6.6 kg DMI). Daily energy balance in these high and low energy treatments were +0.2 MJ ME/day and -40.9 MJ ME/day.…”

“…Decreased milk yield when energy or feed was restricted post partum was reported by Kunz et al (1985) and Roche (2007), whereas interactions of pre-and post-calving nutrition were existent in the study by Law et al (2011). A smooth and successful transition from the late gestation to the early lactation period is of crucial importance because it effectively determines the profitability of cows during that lactation (Drackley, 1999).…”

Nutrition, immune function and health of dairy cattle

“…Most dairy professionals agree that a BCS of 3.25 at calving is optimal to allow for sufficient body fat reserves to support the energy requirements for maintenance, parturition and lactation while minimizing excessive tissue energy mobilization, fatty acid infiltration to the liver and risk of disease during early lactation. Studies have examined the effect of dietary manipulation on changes in BCS during the dry period Law et al, 2011). Altering BCS during the dry period has proven to be difficult owing to the short duration of time (i.e.…”