Energy feeding guidelines will also be presented. Body Condition at Calving Cows should freshen with a condition score of 3.5. Because of this, they are more prone to fatty liver, ketosis, DA's, ruminal acidosis, rapid and excessive loss of body condition, and poor fertility. Thin cows, those that freshen with a condition score of 3 or 3-, simply don't have enough energy coming from back fat mobilization to support high levels of milk production. There is normally enough energy contributed from back fat mobilization in early lactation to support 1,000 to 2,000 lb. of milk production.
Proper conditioning needs to be done mainly before dry off.
Cows should not lose body condition during the dry period. The body condition that can be put on during a 45 to 60 day dry period is only about a half point. So, cows should have a body condition score of 3.0 to 3.5 at dry off. Nutrition Prior to Calving Cows should be lead fed concentrates for two weeks prior to calving. This helps prevent loss of body condition and fatty liver prior to calving, ketosis, DA's, and ruminal acidosis.