Reducing or eliminating the dry period of dairy cows
C. R. StockdalePrimary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic), Department of Primary Industries, Kyabram Centre, 120 Cooma Road, Kyabram, Vic. 3620, Australia. Email: richard.stockdale@dpi.vic.gov.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46(7) 957-963 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA05304
Submitted: 15 November 2005 Accepted: 27 February 2006 Published: 8 June 2006
Abstract
This review considers the research that has been conducted recently on reducing the length of the dry period of dairy cows, with particular emphasis on the effects of eliminating the dry period altogether. Milk yield in the subsequent lactation is reduced by up to 25%, but this loss is offset to some degree by the milk produced when cows would otherwise be dry. The lower subsequent milk yield in cows continuously milked is most likely to be a consequence of changes in the mammary gland during late gestation rather than insufficient feed or body condition to maintain milk synthesis. Shortening or eliminating the dry period may result in a lower incidence of metabolic problems post-partum, and a reduced negative energy balance in early lactation due to the maintenance of dietary intake while milk yields and body condition loss are reduced. The reductions in both body condition loss and negative energy balance may have a beneficial influence on reproductive performance. However, it is concluded that more research, particularly with cows that graze pasture during lactation, together with an economic appraisal, is needed before it could be recommended that Australian dairy farmers change their current dry period practices, particularly if continuous milking was to be considered.
Additional keywords: cow health, milk composition, milk production, reproductive performance.
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