Managing Body Condition Scores to Maximize Milk Yield and Reproduction

Abstract

Careful management of body reserves of dairy cows is crucial to efficient production because body fat is a necessary and important energy source for lactation in the first few months after parturition. Furthermore, excessive body fat before calving is often associated with decreased feed intake in the presence of normal milk yield. This results in large energy deficits, metabolic diseases, decreased fertility and increased culling. Postpartum energy deficits are minimized by maximizing dry matter intake through various management strategies including selection of high quality forages and feeds, providing rations high in energy density and feedbunk management. Cows should be in moderate body condition at calving to ensure maximum feed consumption capacity during the first two months of lactation.