Browsing by Author "Pajunen, Elisa"

The last weeks of dry period and the beginning of lactation period are a critical phase for a dairy cow because a cow undergoes several metabolic changes over that phase. The risk of diseases can be alleviated by ensuring the cow's feed intake capacity. Close-up feeding, in which the proportion of dietary concentrate is increased to accustom the dairy cow and its rumen to postpartum feeding, is typically started 3-4 weeks before the expected parturition. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of close-up feeding on the feed intake, milk production and metabolism of dairy cows. The study was randomized complete block design, in which 16 Ayrshire cows were divided into pairs, based on the milk production of the previous year, weight and expected calving date. During the dry period both groups received grass silage (D-value 715 g/kg DM) ad libitum and in addition one of the groups received a homemade concentrate mixture for three weeks before the expected calving. Blood samples were collected, and cows were weighed and body condition scored 3 and 1 weeks before calving. Over the period of ten days after calving, the cows received grass silage ad libitum and concentrate and protein supplement separately. After d 10 of lactation, the cows were fed a partial mixed ration of grass silage (65% DM) and concentrate mixture (35% DM) for 8 weeks after calving. Additionally, cows received commercial concentrate and protein supplement. Feed intake and milk yield of the cows were measured daily. In addition, the cows were body condition scored, weighed, and blood and milk samples were taken. Dry matter intake was higher during the close-up dry period in the cows that received concentrate feeding compared to the other group. However, there was no difference in silage intake in between the groups. After calving, the dry matter intake of the cows that received close-up concentrate feeding was lower (15.0 vs. 16.3 kg DM/d, p<0.05) during the first 10 days. However, during the 8 weeks period, there was no difference in feed intake between the two groups. The feeding treatment had no effect on milk yield, milk composition or body condition score. One week before the expected calving date the group that received close-up concentrate feeding had higher plasma insulin (37.4 vs. 16.7 µIU/ml, p<0.1) and BHBA (0.59 vs. 0.36 mmol/l, p<0.05), whereas NEFA was lower (0.16 vs. 0.23 mmol/l, p<0.05). No differences were observed in blood composition postpartum. In conclusion, concentrate supplementation prepartum had no effect on feed intake, milk yield, milk composition or body condition score. The results suggest that no substantial benefit can be achieved with concentrate supplementation of high-digestibility grass silage during the close-up dry period.