Effects of short dry period on performance, metabolic profiles, health and reproduction during the subsequent early lactation in Holstein cows

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of a short dry period on milk yield, milk composition, metabolic profiles, TDN sufficiency rate, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), health, and reproduction during subsequent early lactation in Holstein cows. Twenty-eight cows were assigned to 110-day (control, C, n = 14) or 30-day (shortened, S, n = 14) dry periods. Control cows were fed hay and S cows were fed TMR ad libitum for 30day ; then from 30-day prior until calving, both C and S cows were fed a moderate-energy transition diet. Postpartum, all cows were fed TMR ad libitum for 12 weeks. Milk yield was significantly (P < 0.05) greater in C cows. Milk protein percentage was significantly (P < 0.05) greater in S cows. Average TDN sufficiency rate tended (P < 0.10) to be greater in S cows. Both postpartum BCS loss and BW loss were significantly (P < 0.05) smaller in S cows. Both postpartum weeks at minimum BCS and minimum BW were significantly (P < 0.05) earlier in S cows. Prepartum, S cows had significantly (P < 0.05) higher serum concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, and total protein than C cows. Postpartum, S cows tended (P < 0.10) to be higher serum concentration of glucose. During 6 to 12 weeks after parturition, S cows had significantly (P < 0.05) lower serum concentrations of NEFA. Among parity-3+ cows, the first heat occurred significantly (P < 0.05) earlier in S cows. However, days in first-service, days open, services per conception, and incidence of metabolic disorders did not differ between treatments. Calf BW did not differ between treatments, but gestation length was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter in S cows. Therefore, a 30-day dry period improves nutritional status during the subsequent early lactation in high-producing dairy cows.