The transition period is one of the most important times in a dairy cow’s life. It sets the stage for how well she’ll perform in the lactation ahead. A smooth transition can lead to better milk production, improved reproductive results, and overall herd health.
One piece that doesn’t always get enough attention? Gut health. When a cow’s digestive system is working well, she’s able to absorb more nutrients, support her immune system, and handle the stress that comes with calving and starting lactation.
Dr. Katie Bradley, dairy adult cow research and development leader at Purina Animal Nutrition, says the 28 days before the expected calving date is when to set the cow up for success from a nutrition standpoint.
Dr. Kevin Dill, director of dairy technical innovation at Purina Animal Nutrition, adds that a cow will have greater nutrient and energy demand post-calving, which farm managers can get ahead of.
“Since they will be removing body reserves to help support that early lactation period – but also, we have to adapt the microbial population in that rumen – we’re better off doing that precalving,” Dill says. “That’s why we have the ‘steam-up diet’, ‘close-up’ diet… to prepare those rumen microbial populations to support that greater nutrient and particular energy demand post calving.”
He notes that most producers and nutrients understand the importance of the pre-fresh diet, which includes optimizing protein and energy, along with supporting calcium, magnesium, macro and trace minerals, and vitamins.
Once the cow calves, Bradley emphasizes the importance of a nutrient-dense diet in the post-calf diet. Dill says it’s important for more reasons than just initial milk production, it’s about how she continues to produce milk throughout her cycle.
“It is highly critical that the critical nutrients be more concentrated in that phase, so that she doesn’t melt away to the bone,” he says. “It’s important all the way around on the milk support in the short term and in the long term, she’ll peak better if we reserve that energy, the body fat to support peak milk, and not just to support that gap in the first 30 days. Also, the reproduction will be much improved by having the energy needs met more by the diet.”
Outside elements can layer on top of a transition cow, including heat stress, which can negatively impact the gut. Cow comfort in the barn is going to be key to keeping her eating that nutrient-dense diet, Bradley says.
