The effect of dry period length reduction to 28 days on the performance of multiparous dairy cows in the subsequent lactation

In a controlled study, the effects of shortened and conventional dry periods (28.2±4.6 vs. 48.8±4 d) on performance of multiparous cow were evaluated. Seventy multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to either a 28- or a 49-d dry period length (DPL). Nine cows were removed from the study and 61 cows were used in the statistical analysis. Cows in the 28-d DPL group were moved to close-up pen and fed only close-up ration during the dry period, whereas those in the 49-d DPL group were given a far-off diet after dry-off until 28 d before expected calving, and then fed the same diet as the cows in the 28-d DPL group. Daily milk yield production was significantly reduced in the 28-d DPL group compared with the 49-d DPL group through 210d in milk (DIM). Neither milk protein nor milk fat was changed in experimental groups. However, fat yield tended to be greater in the 49 d DPL compared with the 28 d DPL. Cows with 28 d DPL lost less body condition in peripartum and gained more body condition score (BCS) by 150DIM. No differences were detected in health disorders, reproduction efficiency and birth weights of calves due to shortened dry period. Our data demonstrate that a shortened dry period under employed management practices is a good management tool in attenuating negative energy balance status without adversely affecting total milk production.