The days represent 24 hour periods from midnight to midnight regardless of time of calving. B 1 has the greatest reduction in intake regardless of diet. Holstein and Jersey cows were similar in degree and timing of intake depression. Higher energy, more digestible diets were consumed in larger amounts both before and after calving. There is no consistent trend in percent of intake depression by diet, however, cows consuming higher energy diets would be expected to be consuming more calories and other nutrients both pre and post calving.
Early lactation is considered independent of level of milk production.
Nutritional consultants and dairymen have been modifying these recommendations and many have established nutrient guidelines for close-up dry cows. Nutrient specifications for dry and early lactation cows. 1.0 Wisconsin herds were feeding more net energy, protein, calcium, and potassium than the dry cow diet NRC would recommend, probably trying to replenish body condition and accommodate high milk production. All herds used anionic salts in their transition ration and this is the reason the calcium is elevated in the transition diets. Without anionic salts this much calcium would be undesirable.