What are the key points for feeding and management of dairy cows during the dry period

Dry-period dairy cows (also called dry cows) are multiparous cows from the time milking stops until 15 days before calving. The feeding goal at this stage is to ensure fetal development, restore body condition, and build nutrient reserves.

The body condition of dry cows should be maintained at a moderate level. If a cow is too fat, she is prone to dystocia, and after calving most have poor appetite, which can easily cause ketosis. Therefore, within 10 days after drying off, more hay should be fed, and then the ration should be adjusted according to the cow's body condition, udder engorgement, and appetite. If the cow's body condition is poor and the udder is not engorged, a moderate amount of concentrate can be supplemented; conversely, if the body condition is excellent and the udder is engorged, concentrate need not be fed. Generally, the dry matter intake of the ration should be controlled at 2% of the cow's body weight, of which the concentrate feed amount is 0.6-0.8% of body weight. The concentrate-to-roughage ratio is 35:65. For a lactating cow weighing 600 kg, the dry-period ration is generally: 4 kg concentrate, 20 kg corn silage, and 5 kg green hay. To improve the cow's health, the ration should also be supplemented with minerals, vitamins, and salt.

On dairy farms where conditions permit, dry cows can be exercised 2-3 hours per day, which is beneficial for calving and can also prevent retained placenta, paralysis, and limb and hoof diseases after calving.