FEEDING OF HIGH YIELDING / LACTATING ANIMAL IN DIFFERENT PHASE OF PRODUCTIVE CYCLE

Under practical feeding condition it is not possible to select much among the roughages or
vary the ingredient in concentrate mix.

 One feeding schedule based on thump rule is

Quantity of green grass to be give (kg) for

Stage of
animal weighing Concentrate ( kg)
lactation
250 kg 300 kg 350 kg
o For non-pregnant cows no concentrate
is required.
o Pregnant cows should be fed additional
quantity of 1.5 kg of concentrate from
7th month of gestation
Dry cow 25 30 35
o In case of dry cow, allowance up to 1
kg concentrate can be given if the
condition of cow is poor or the fodder
quality is inferior.

o 1.0 kg for every 2.5 kg of milk of

average 4% fat percentage, in case of
Milch cow 25 30 35 buffalo 1.0 kg for every 2.0 kg of milk
produced.

Lactation cycle

Cows must calve to produce milk and the lactation cycle is the period between one
calving and the next.

Often a cow’s lactation cycle is referred to in Phases :-

1- Phase 1: Early lactation: 0 to 70 DIM (Days In Milk) (peak milkproduction)
2- Phase 2: Mid lactation: 70 to 200 DIM (peak DM feed intake)
3- Phase 3: Late lactation: 200 to 305 DIM (restoration phase)
4- Phase 4: Dry period: 60 to 14 days before the next lactation
5- Phase 5: Transition or close-up period: 14 days before to calving
A number of changes occur in cows as they progress through different stages of
lactation. As well as variations in milk production, there are changes in feed intake
and body condition, and stage of pregnancy.Nutrient requirements will vary with the
stage of lactation and gestation. Milk production will start suddenly andincrease daily
in early lactation. As this happens greater amounts of nutrients are needed. Mammary
tissuefunction declines after peak lactation mainly due to the decrease in mammary
cell quantity. It is common togroup cows according to their stage of lactation in group
housing facilities.

Phase 1. Early lactation (0 to 70 DIM)

In early lactation, milk production begins at a high rate which continues to increase for
three to six weeks aftercalving. This is known as peak milk production (. In the first
100 days a cow’s feed intake starts to lag and cowsmay begin to lose weight because
of their rapid milk yield compared to their dry matter intake. This is calleda negative
energy balance. Once peak dry matter intake is achieved the cow will stop losing
weight. Feed intake can be influenced by several factors such as consistency, quality
and quantity of feed and digestibility. Fresh feed should always be available after
milking to encourage consumption. Protein is a critical nutrient during this stage.
During this phase the cow should be bred, typically between 60 to 70 days in milk.

Characteristics :
 Milk production increases rapidly, peaking at 6 to 8 weeks aftercalving.
  Feed intake does not meet the energy requirements cow usesreserves stored in
its body cow looses body weight.

The appetite of the animal during the early lactation (upto 8 weeks) is reduced by 2 to
3 kg per day. So all the nutrients needs of the animal are to be provided within this
appetite limit.It is difficult to meet the nutrient requirements, particularly the energy
requirement of such high yielders (more than 15 kg of milk production per day in cows
and 12 kg milk yield per day in buffaloes) through normal concentrate mixture and
fodder.High energy diets are to be formulated and challenge feeding has to be
adopted.Adequate fibre (36% NDF in the total ration) is critical for maintenance of
normal milk fat. Usually, all such cows and buffaloes will remain under negative
energy balance during first 5 months of lactation.

Requirements:
 CP: 17.5 -19.5% of DM
 Forage ration level in the total ration > 45%

Feeding: Aim at reaching the highest milk production peakpossible!

 Feed top quality forage. Allow constant access to feed!
 Increasing concentrate 0.5 kg per day from day 10 up to day 20. Do
not give more than 60% of DM as concentrate because it will make
the rumen too acid (= acidosis)
 Make sure the diet contains adequate amounts of CP (17.5 –
19.5%)
 Make sure the diet contains adequate % of forage: more than 45%
Consider adding fat (Example: Megafat) from 0.1 to 0.3 kg/cow/day
to diets.
 Minimize stress conditions.
  Provide a mineral block.

Phase 2. Mid lactation (70-200 DIM)

In mid-lactation the object is to maintain peak production for as long as possible and
maximizedry matter intake. Cows should be eating 4% of their body weight. Feeding
high quality forage isimportant in mid-lactation. Protein requirements are reduced
during mid-lactation.Cow being inseminated .

A settled period when mating is completed and you can really focus on churning out the
milk solids. Maintain plenty of dry matter and use nutrient dense rations formulated to
prevent rapid post peak decline.
During this period pasture quantity and quality tend to decline. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) levels
in pasture increase and the digestibility of the NDF decreases, which results in a lower nutrient
density on offer to the cow. In order to reduce post peak decline, dry matter intake (DMI) and
nutrient density per kilogram of dry matter (DM) must be maintained to meet milk solids production
goals.
In simple terms, pasture quality must be maintained.

If the cow is not inseminated yet, it should happen in the beginning of thisperiod. Preferably before
85 DIM, but certainly before 140 DIM. Goodfeeding management in this period will results in
successful inseminationsprolonged high milk production and increasing body weight.
Characteristics :
 Milk production has passed its peak and starts to decrease.
 Feed intake reaches its peak
 Body weight starts to increase again

Requirements:

 CP: 15 - 17% of DM
 Forage ration level in the total ration > 50%
Feeding: Aim at increasing feed intake!
 Feed the highest quality feeds available (high quality forages).
 Feed forages and concentrate several times a day.
 Make sure the diet contains adequate CP% and forage %
 Supplement minerals and provide a mineral block.
 Continue to minimize stress conditions
Phase 3. Late lactation (200 to 305 DIM)

During late lactation, milk production will continue to decline along with feed intake.
Cows will gainweight to support the growing fetus and replenish tissues lost from early
lactation.Boost nutrition to lengthen lactation while bringing the herd up to good body
condition prior to drying-off. Address mineral deficiencies and give nutrients for foetal
development.
This phase will be the easiest to manage. It is important to make sure thecows are in
good condition to be dried off.

Characteristics
 Milk production is declining (8-10% drop per month)
 The cow is pregnant, and nutrient intake will easily meet or exceed
requirements.
 The body weight increases. Avoid making the cows to fat.

Requirements:

 CP: 14 - 15% of DM
 Forage ration level in the total ration > 55%

Feeding: Aim at having the cows in good condition for the dryperiod!

 Feed a mixture of forages and make sure the cow eats at least 55%
of DM as forage.
 Higher concentrate amounts will not result in higher milk output but
will increase the cost and make your cows too fat!
 Feed an adequate amount of concentrate in several times a day.
 Make sure the diet contains adequate CP%
 Provide a mineral block.
 Continue to minimize stress conditions.

Chapter 2: The basic of Good Feeding management

Chapter 1: The basis of ruminant nutrition, digestion and feeding
65
Chapter 2: The basic of Good Feeding management

Phase 4. Dry period—60 to 14 days before parturition.

The mammary gland of a cow requires a dry period. The dry period includes the time
between nolonger milking the cow and calving. The recommended dry period is 45 to
60 days. If the dry periodis less than 40 days milk yield will be reduced. The same
goes for dry periods over 70 days. A separatefeeding program for dry cows is a must.
At 45 to 50 days before calving you should stop milking the cow. A lot of producers
infuse the udderwith antibiotics to prevent infections. Once milking is ceased and the
cow is dried-off, involution of themammary gland takes place. Involution is the
process of the return of the uterus to normal functionafter calving, transforming from
a pregnant to a non-pregnant state. This process is primarily due tothe hormone
oxytocin. Lactoferrin is a major protein found in mammary secretions during involution
and helps with disease resistance. If bred on time, a year after the birth of her first
calf a cow will calveagain.

The dry period is a critical phase of the lactation cycle. A good dry cowprogram can increase milk
yield during the following lactation andminimize metabolic problems.

Characteristics:

 No milk production
 Body weight increasing
 Feed intake decreasing

Requirements:

 CP: 12% of DM
 Forage ration level in the total ration > 60%
 Ca: 60-80gr/day
 P: 30-40gr/day

Feeding: Aim at adjusting feeding to have a correct body score for calving

 Separate from lactating cows .Observe body condition of dry cows and adjust
energy feeding as necessary.
 Make sure the cows don’t become too fat: this will increase the change for
problems after calving.
 Increase forage to restore rumen. Forage level in the ration at least 60%
 Forage can include some lower quality forages .
 Provide correct amounts of Ca and P. Avoid excess calcium and phosphorus
intakes. This will increase problems of milk fever.
 Provide adequate amounts of vitamin A, D, and E in rations to improve calf
survival and lower retained placenta and milk fever problems.
 Limit salt to 28gr and limit other sodium-based minerals in the dry cow ration to
reduce udder edema problems.
 Change to a transition ration starting 2 weeks before calving.
Never supplement Mineral Lick Block in this period!

Phase 5. Transition period—14 days before calving.

Transition period is defined as time frame from 3 weeks before calving to 3 weeks aftercalving.
Feeding during transition period determines the cows productivity during thepreceding lactation
period. Providing the right nutrition during this period greatly improvethe calving ease, cow and calf
welfare, milk production and reproductive performance.

Phases :
For optimal management, the transitional period is divided into

1. Far – off Dry period

This the phase period from drying off to 21 days before calving where there is no milkproduction
and rapid growth of fetus occurs. Adaptation of the rumen environment to highenergy diet which
will be fed to the cow post partum, by challenge feeding.

2. Close up period
It is the phase of last 7 to 14 days before calving in which there is a increase in nutrientrequirement
but dry matter intake decreased by about 10-30 %. In order to compensate for thenutrient loss by
reduced dry matter intake, nutrient density should be increased. Nutritionalmanagement of macro
minerals is important to enhance lactation and reproductiveperformance of the cow during
postpartum.

3. Fresh cow period

It is the phase of full lactation .
 A balanced transition diet
A balanced transition diet must have the right amount of energy, protein, fibre, calcium,magnesium,
phosphorus and trace elements and the right DCAD level. Dietary Cation- AnionDifference (DCAD)
is the difference between the cations (sodium and potassium) and anions(chloride and sulphur) in
diet. Feeding anionic diet increases H+ ions (creates acidosis). Ifcations are fed HCO3 is released
(creates alkalosis).DCAD = meq (Na +K) – (Cl+S)/ 100g DM
To calculate DACD the expression is: [%Na divided by .023) + (%K divided by .039)] –[(%Cl
divided by .0355) + (%S divided by .016)]

The transition or close-up dry cow feeding program is critical to adjustingdry cows and springing
heifers to the lactation ration and preventingmetabolic problems.

Characteristics:

 No milk production
 Body weight increasing
 Feed intake decreasing

Requirements:

 CP: 14.5 to 15% of DM

 Forage ration level in the totalration > 55%
 Ca: 60-80gr/day
 P: 30-40gr/day

Feeding: Aim at preparing the rumen for the lactating period

 Continue with same forages as in previous stage (dry cow)

 Increase concentrate gradually to 2.5 to 3 kg to adapt rumenbacteria
 Remove salt from the ration if edema is a problem.
 If niacin (to control ketosis) and/or anionic salts (to help preventmilk fever) are
going to be used, they should be included in theration during this period.

Challenge feeding
Challenge feeding means the cow with high milk production potential are to be fed
increase quantity of concentrate to ‘challenge’ them to produce to the maximum.This
starts two weeks before expected date of calving. This challenge feeding will condition
her digestive system for the increased amount of concentrate and provide enough
nutrients to initiate lactation on a higher plane.Two weeks before the expected date of
calving start feeding 500 g of concentrate mixture.The quantity should be increased daily
by 300-400 g until the cow is consuming 500-1000g concentrate for every 100 kg body
weight.After calving, the concentrate allowance should be increased by 500 g per day in
the first 2 weeks of lactation until the cow achieves peak yield somewhere in the second
month of lactation on free choice basis.

After this the milk yield is tested and the concentrate allowance is fixed accordingly.
Challenge feeding schedule:

Period Concentrate allowance

Last 2 weeks before calvingStarting from 500g, increase 300 - 400g daily
until the cow is eating 500 – 1000g per 100kg
body weight.
First 2 weeks of lactation Increase 500g per day to free choice level.
Second week to peak yield Free choice
(test day)
From test day onwards According to production as per thumb rules. E.g.
1Kg for every 21/2 kg milk produced
Remaining lactation Concentrate adjusted to monthly test of milk
Production
All periods Green fodder and dry fodder given adequately

{All the content of this assignments is taken from various sources .}

By- Dr . Ankit singh

NDUAT, kumarganj
Ayodhaya (U.P)