Feeding Tips from Agriculture Canada: Feeding the Close-Up Dry Cow

Remember the following points when feeding your dry cows in the close-up period (two to three weeks prior to calving).

1. Lead feeding of concentrates helps to reduce the incidence of metabolic diseases such as displaced abomasum, retained placentas and ketosis.
2. Any changes in ration consumption should be made gradually.
3. Feed intake starts to decrease two to three weeks prior to calving. Dry matter intake of far-off dry cows is about 2 % of body weight whereas the expected dry matter intake at one week prepartum is 1.2 %. This means two things:

   a) A separate ration with higher nutrient densities is needed for the close-up cows.

   b) Intake of concentrates, prior to calving, should be limited to 0.5 to 0.75 % of body weight. For example, a 1300 lb (590kg) cow should be fed no more than 7 - 10 lbs (3 - 4.5 kg) of concentrate/day.

4. Prevent a further reduction in feed intake by feeding good quality forages and avoiding unpalatable feed ingredients.
5. Feeding a total mixed ration (TMR) will help maintain a constant forage: concentrate ratio as dry matter intake changes.
6. Maintain the crude protein content of the close-up ration at around 14%. Precise bypass protein requirements for close-up dry cow have not been determined.
7. Limit calcium intake to less than 100g/day and phosphorus intake to less than 45g/day to prevent milk fever. Avoid feeding high calcium forages such as legumes.
8. Consider the use of anionic salts for milk fever prevention if it is impossible to limit calcium intake. Anionic salts should only be used in rations balanced by a qualified nutritionist.

Article Written by: Karen Dupchak, Animal Nutritionist, Animal Industry Branch, Manitoba Agriculture, (204) 945-7668

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