Journal of Neonatal Studies

Early Lactation Open Access Journals

Early lactation may be a stressful time for dairy cows, as they get over calving, rapidly increase milk production while losing body condition, and steel oneself against subsequent pregnancy. It is important to feed and manage cows well during this era , as this may set them up well for the remainder of their lactation.Most dairy herds start calving a month or more before pasture growth is at its maximum, so believe winter conserved pasture (feed wedge) to feed their cows after calving. A risk is that if the standard and quantity are insufficient to match demand, especially during a late spring, then milk yield may suffer, and cows may lose too much weight, resulting in higher empty rates. Many dairy farmers feed supplements during this era within the sort of conserved forages, like top quality inoculant treated silages, or concentrate feeds, like meals, grains and by-products. Second round pasture is typically low in fibre but high in nitrogen (protein), resulting in farmers offering their cows low protein, high starch or sugar supplements to assist balance rumen energy and protein supply for rumen microbes. A low fibre and high sugar/starch type diet may cause sub-clinical or clinical acidosis, leading to reduced milk yields, loss of appetite, increased weight loss and lower fertility rates. Options are to supply some long fibre (minimum 2.5 cm), a rumen buffer, or rumen specific strains of live yeast.    

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