Phase 5. Transition period - 14 days before to parturition

PHASE 5. TRANSITION PERIOD - 14 DAYS BEFORE TO PARTURITION

  • The transition or close-up dry cow feeding program is critical to adjusting dry cows to the lactation ration and preventing metabolic problems. During the last 3 days prior to calving, the amount of concentrate mixture should be reduced and a little warm bran is fed to keep the animal in laxative condition before calving.
  • After parturition, the cow /buffalo should be given fresh warm water and a mash consisting of 1 kg wheat bran, 1-1.5 kg ground grain, 0.5 kg jaggery and 25 g each of common salt and mineral mixture. This mash may be continued for 3 to 4 days after calving; the regular feed may be gradually introduced to the cow.
  • Some concentrate mixture, if not previously fed, should be fed starting two weeks before freshening.
  • Introduction of concentrate mixture is necessary to begin changing the rumen bacteria population over from an all-forage digestion population to a mixed population of forage and grain digesters. Also, addition of some ingredients used in the lactation ration during this period minimizes the stress of ration changes after calving. Some suggested management strategies during this period include:
  • Increase protein in the ration to between 14 and 15 percent of the ration DM. Feeding some of this additional protein in the form of undegradable protein may be beneficial in supplying amino acids for fetal growth.

Summary of nutrient requirements of high yielding dairy cattle during different phases of lactation

(a) Water requirements

  • Lactating dairy cows need 60–70 litres of water each day for maintenance, plus an extra 4–5 litres for each litre of milk produced.
  • Water requirements increase by 6 lts/day for every 4 0 C raise in air temperatures. Lactating cows will drink 150 to 200 litres of water per day in the summer months.

(b) Crude protein requirements

Stage of lactation % CP in the ration
Early lactation
16 - 18 %
Mid lactation
14 - 16 %
Late lactation
12 - 14 %
Dry period
10 - 12 %

  • Undegradable or bypass protein (UIP) should be 35 to 40 percent of the CP in early lactation and 30 to 35 percent of CP in late lactation.

(d) Crude Fibre requirements

(e) Energy in the ration

TDN

  • Early lactation – 75 % of dietary DM
  • late lactation - 65 % of dietary DM
  • dry period - 55 % of dietary DM

(f) Nonfiber carbohydrates: 35 to 40 percent of the dietary DM.

(g) Fat

  • Maximum of 7 percent of the total ration DM with no more than 4 percent from supplemental fat..
  • Salt: 0.5 percent of the ration DM or 1 percent of the concentrate mixture.

(i) Minera l

  • Approximately 1 percent of the grain mix should be a calcium-phosphorus mineral.

(j) Urea

  • 3 % of concentrate mixture or 1 percent of the total dry matter intake.
  • Vitamins: Supplemented A, D, and E in rations to meet requirements.
  • Ration form: Avoid too fine chopping of forages and concentrates
Last modified: Saturday, 31 March 2012, 6:57 AM