Fresh Cow 0 - 21 days of lactation

Fresh Cow

The transition from late gestation to early lactation is the most challenging time during the lactation cycle. Physiological and metabolic changes disrupt homeostatic mechanisms and can result in metabolic problems. The cow drops in body weight at calving as the calf and placental tissues are lost. Body stores are mobilized because energy intake will not meet the energy requirements for lactation.

The cow begins lactation and transitions to a lactation diet. She has a major drop in body weight.

Palatability and high nutrient density are important.

Protection from rain, wind and heat is important.

Heifer calves are raised separately in hutches or in group housing.

Calf is removed at birth. Colostrum is provided by bottle for passive transfer of immunoglobulins.

The ration will be intermediate between the close-up dry group and the early lactation high group.

The ration will be intermediate between the close-up dry group and the early lactation high group. In the transition period and early lactation, energy intake is the primary concern. After the cow freshens, the goal is for the cow to increase dry matter intake to decrease the incidence of metabolic diseases such as ketosis. Providing energy for the cow is constrained by the composition of the diet and the need to formulate a diet that will maintain a healthy rumen. Energy intake is a combination of the energy density of the diet and the dry matter intake. Fiber is provided by forages and other dietary components such as whole cottonseed.

At the beginning of lactation nutrient requirements increase dramatically. The NDF concentration should be 25% to 28% NDF and the ADF % should be maintained at 18 to 19% to reduce rumen disorders. Starches and sugars are more digestible than forage and are more energy dense. Starches and sugars are represented by the Nonfiber CHO component of the diet. Starch is shown separately in the nutrient composition table. Maintaining effective fiber and avoiding high starch levels in the ration will help with the transition. The cow needs glucose precursors to make milk. Fat is another source of energy. Fat should be below 7 to 8% of DM. Water is a critical nutrient for cow health and production.