Pavlo Palamarchuk, Associate of Resource Center of Association of Milk Producers of Ukraine

Obtaining high yields, well developed offsprings, health and reproductive ability of cows — all this depends on the organization of feeding in the dry period. Despite the relatively short duration (45-60 days), dry period is very important.

Pregnant dry cows require feed of better quality than milking ones. Long experience proves that wrong feeding of dry cows and heifers is often the main cause of dysfunctional calvings, weak offsprings, poor development of calves and low milk production of cows during the next lactation. Deficiencies in feeding cows during dry period cause decrease in milk fat, protein and dry matter content. Underfeedingand and overfeeding of pregnant cows affects reproduction. In addition to balanced feeding, pregnant cows have enough to move.

More information you can read in the magazine «Milk and Farm» № 1 (14), February 2013