Prepartum Concentrate Feeding Milk production does not increase when liberal amounts of concentrates are fed during the dry period. The amount of grain required to maximize production during the subsequent lactation will be determined by the body condition of the cow at drying off and the quality of the forages being fed. Forages can provide adequate energy and protein through most of the dry period, but a small amount of low energy feed may be recommended as a carrier for vitamins and minerals. It is recommended that grain be introduced during the two weeks before expected parturition to prepare the digestive system for the concentrate diets fed during early lactation. Drying off the Cow Various means have been used to cause cessation of milk secretion after the 10 or so months of lactation.
Many dairy farmers use skip a milking or two for a week or so to cause the cow to dry off.
The principle behind this is that pressure within the mammary gland will cause a reduction in milk secretion. Continued build-up of pressure will cause the cessation of milk. This skip a milking procedure is usually accompanied with the feeding of a poorer quality forage and the removal of concentrates from the diet. The skip a milking procedure can cause a flare-up in mastitis if the mammary gland is experiencing a chronic mastitis. Cows should be dry treated with a long-acting antibiotic in all quarters.