ST. PAUL, Minn. — Dairy cows typically produce milk for about 305 days followed by a 60-day dry period during which the cow prepares to give birth again, signaling the beginning of the next lactation. Developing and implementing a successful dry cow nutrition program should be a high priority for dairy producers, according to Noah Litherland, University of Minnesota Extension dairy educator.
Offering cows the best opportunity for a smooth and successful transition into lactation is critical to cow health, longevity and farm profitability. Despite many years of research, nutritionists, dairy producers and veterinarians are still trying to clearly define optimal diets for dry cows.
There is likely no single perfect forage for dry cows. Corn silage is a common low-cost ingredient that is highly palatable, has moderate crude protein content, and is low in calcium and potassium, however by itself is too high in net energy of lactation and starch and has a low fill?factor. Cows consuming a high corn silage diet will likely over consume energy, become obese, and may be at risk for metabolic disorders postpartum.
Lower energy forages such as wheat straw, grass hay, sorghum silage, corn stalks, and earless tropical corn may be useful for diluting the energy density of the diet to meet but not greatly exceed energy requirements for dry cows. Cows consuming a high-forage diet containing?approximately 50 percent NDF (neutral detergent fiber) will fill up before they over-consume? energy.
Research comparing dry cow diets based on wheat straw or orchardgrass is currently being conducted at the University of Minnesota’s Dairy Teaching and Research Center in St. Paul.
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http://www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2009/dry-dairy-cows.html
Contact:
Catherine Dehdashti, (612) 625-0237, ced@umn.edu
