Effect of Three Levels of Grain Feeding during the Dry Period on the Incidence of Ketosis, Severity of Udder Edema, and Subsequent Milk Production of Dairy Cows

Abstract

Sixty-three cows of 4 breeds were fed different levels of grain during the dry period for 2 years. One member of each trio received no grain during the 8-week dry period, a 2nd member received 6 lb daily, and the 3rd member received 15 lb daily. Silage was fed according to body weight and hay was fed ad libitum. After calving, all cows were fed grain according to production. No statistical differences in milk, butterfat, or 4% fat-corrected milk production were obtained in the 3 groups. Correlation coefficients between body condition ratings at calving and 4% fat-corrected milk and butterfat percentage were all very small and nonsignificant. No statistically significant differences in severity of udder edema in the 3 groups were noted at calving or 7 days after calving. Udder edema was significantly correlated with milk production but not with body condition at the time of parturition. Two cases of ketosis occurred in the medium and high-fed groups and 1 case occurred on the low level. Blood sugar and ketone levels were about the same on the 3 levels of grain. No differences in birth weights of the normal Holstein calves were obtained.