Comprehensive measures for dairy cows during lactation
August 07 02:46:08, 2025
The induced feeding method begins two weeks prior to calving, building upon the diet during the dry period. A specific amount of concentrate is gradually introduced, starting with about 18 kg on day one and increasing by 0.4 kg daily. The goal is to reach an average of 1–1.5 kg of mixed concentrate per 100 kg of body weight. For a 550 kg cow, this means up to 55–9 kg of concentrate per day. Over the course of two weeks, the total feed can reach 60–70 kg. After calving, the concentrate intake continues to increase by 0.45 kg daily until milk production peaks or the cow reaches free-choice intake. It's essential to provide sufficient water to prevent digestive issues. This approach is best suited for high-yielding dairy cows, as it may lead to overfeeding in low-yield animals.
The challenge feeding method involves maintaining good nutritional status before the dry period. During the dry period, the cow is mainly fed high-quality roughage, supplemented with 0.45 kg of concentrate daily. One week into the dry period, the concentrate is gradually increased, but should not exceed 1.5 kg per day. This method is typically used for about 12 weeks before calving. After that, the diet should be adjusted based on maintenance and normal production needs.
The replacement feeding method involves changing the diet composition every 7–10 days, primarily adjusting the ratio of concentrate to forage while keeping overall nutrition consistent. For example, starting 20 days after calving, a cow might receive 8 kg of hay, 10 kg of silage, and 7 kg of concentrate daily. After a week, the concentrate is reduced to 3 kg, while hay increases to 11 kg and silage to 30 kg, with no drop in milk production. In the following week, concentrate is further reduced to 4–5 kg, hay to 14 kg, and juicy feed to 40 kg. If milk production remains stable, the concentrate is gradually increased to 11–13 kg in the next week, allowing milk yield to continue rising. This method helps maintain productivity while optimizing feed efficiency.