When feeding dairy cows, the animals' energy requirements must be met as effectively as possible. Body mass acts as a kind of "nutrient buffer." In cases of energy deficiency, nutrient reserves can be used to meet the energy demands of milk production. However, a long-term or significant energy deficiency not only reduces milk yield but, more importantly, puts a strain on the cows' metabolism and overall health. Severely undernourished cows are more susceptible to inflammation and exhibit poorer fertility. Especially at the beginning of lactation, milk production increases faster than feed intake. Depending on the cow type and feeding regime, this can lead to a more or less pronounced energy deficit with negative consequences.
At the Biology Institute of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, a study investigated whether reduced milking frequency in the first few weeks of life—and thus lower milk production—could improve energy balance and metabolism. The study also examined the effects of concentrated feed around calving on the animals. The results of this comprehensive study were published in the scientific journal "Livestock Science .
The trial shows that even under organic conditions, delayed concentrate feeding after calving has no positive effect on the animals' energy balance and metabolism. Feeding concentrate before calving showed no positive effects under the tested organic conditions. However, cows definitely need the best forage around calving, and concentrate feeding should be gradually increased after calving. Those cows that exhibit the best forage and total feed intake around calving (days -2 to +7) are also the fittest cows in the remainder of lactation.
The study further demonstrated that reduced milk withdrawal at the start of lactation does not affect feed intake. This can improve energy balance and reduce metabolic stress. The estrous cycle also begins earlier as a result. However, milk production data indicate that milking only once in the first week of lactation can lead to lingering effects on milk yield in subsequent weeks. Furthermore, an increased somatic cell count was observed with single milking during the first three months of lactation, although no differences in udder health were noted.
In a further experiment, the cows in the test group are currently also milked twice daily, but the milk extraction per milking is reduced and adjusted to the energy balance.
Detailed scientific publication:
Steinwidder, A., Rohrer, H., Pfister, R., Gallböck, M., Podstatzky, L., Gasteiner, J. (2021) Effects of supplementation strategies during the transition period and milking frequency in early lactation on seasonal winter-calving organic dairy cows. Livestock Science 250; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104595
Summary of results:
Link to the scientific publication of the results (freely available until August 25, 2021): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104595
