Effect of Dry-Period Diet on the Performance and Metabolism of Dairy Cows in Early Lactation

Julien Soulat , Emilie Knapp , Nassim Moula , Jean-Luc Hornick , Céline Purnelle , Isabelle Dufrasne (1)

1 Centre des Technologies Agronomiques (CTA)

In dairy cows, the management of the dry period should optimize milk production and limit impact on metabolic health. In early lactation, there is little information on the effect of the dry-period diet composition on the production and composition of milk and the blood metabolites. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different dry-period diets on the blood metabolites of dairy cows during the peripartum period and the milk yield and fatty acid profile at onset of lactation. This study showed that different dry-period diets can be used without impact on milk production and composition when these diets cover the needs of dairy cows. However, blood metabolites were more sensitive to the diet offered during the dry period. In early lactation, a dry-period diet based on corn and grass silages allowed a smooth transition with better rumen and liver function parameters.

Mots clés: dry period; fatty acids; milk yield; serum metabolites

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]; Alimentation et Nutrition

Julien Soulat, Emilie Knapp, Nassim Moula, Jean-Luc Hornick, Céline Purnelle, et al.. Effect of Dry-Period Diet on the Performance and Metabolism of Dairy Cows in Early Lactation. Animals, 2020, 10 (5), pp.803. ⟨10.3390/ani10050803⟩. ⟨hal-03119496⟩