DSD 6.8 | That is where you should put your money

Dairy Science Digest

DSD 6.8 | That is where you should put your money

For years researchers have sought out to better understand control mechanisms for a successful transition into lactation from the dry period. We’ve learned changing body condition score during the dry period is not acceptable, but what if it changes during late lactation? How does this impact energy partitioning for the next lactation?

Well managed high producing cows with high fertility might find themselves bred back in less than the “textbook ideal” condition score heading into the dry period. Can we alter the late lactation ration to successfully increase condition with little impact? Dr. Laura Hernandez from the University of Wisconsin worked with a team of researchers at the Forage Center to better understand what is happening if high energy is fed late in lactation through extensive data collection to determine the possible potential carry over effects for subsequent lactations.

Listen into this compelling discussion as we learn more about the “black box” we know as the transition dairy cow and what phase to invest in to maximize your return.

Topics of discussion

1:01 Goal of this month’s research
1:40 Introduction of Dr. Laura Hernandez
2:52 Why is this topic important
5:09 Test ration design for increasing BCS in late lactation 3.25 vs 3.75
8:45 Cow responses to the ration
11:05 Figure 1a: BCS change over 12 weeks
11:45 Dry matter intake
10:27 Possible hormonal responses causing the
13:49 Energy partitioning
16:12 Genetic analysis for response and non-response
18:40 Dry cow and early ration following treatment
19:19 High energy effect on dystocia
20:50 Early lactation energy measurements
22:45 Close up - Intake differences of high and low energy
23:23 Fig 3d: Early lactation intake difference
24:44 Visceral fat changes
26:54 Denovo fatty acids in milk, 70 days post treatment
30:54 Concentration of Megalac in treatment ration
31:57 Description of animals on treatment
32:47 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?

Featured Article:

Effects of high-energy and low-energy diets during late lactation on the subsequent dry period and lactation of Holstein dairy cows

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