The highest milk production is obtained if proper feed
management is maintained from the beginning of the
lactation period. The recovery of milk production decreases as the feeding level is improved at a later stage
during the lactation period. The amounts of concentrates can be adapted on a monthly basis during midlactation.
3.
Late lactation
Until fairly recently, this stage in the lactation period
was considered of less importance in the feeding of
lactating cows. The reason for this is during the late
lactation stage, cows are once again in a positive energy balance due to the fact that more feed energy is
consumed than is required for maintenance and milk
production. The recovery of body reserves during this
period is more effective than during the dry period, i.e.
65% versus 48%. This means that cows should already
be prepared for the following lactation period in the
late lactation period.
4.
Dry period
A dry period of 50 to 60 days is essential for the recov-
ery of the milk secreting cells in the udder towards
maintaining a high lifetime performance. When the
dry period is less than 40 days or more than 80 days, a
5-10% decrease in milk production could be expected
during the following lactation period. When cows become pregnant soon after calving, the lactation period
should preferably be shortened to provide sufficient
time for the udder to recover afte "֖ƶ