Physiology, metabolism and nutritional requirements in early lactation to augment milk production in cattle -A review Pampori Z.A.*, Haq M. Raies, Ganie Ajaz. A., Singh A. K. Dairy Cattle Physiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132 001, India *Correspondence author's address: SKUAST-K, Alusteng, Srinagar, Kashmir-190 006. e-mail: drzap64@gmail.com
Online published on 26 October, 2012. Abstract Profitable dairy farming relies mainly on optimum milk production and a calf a year. Early lactation period may be called profit period as dairy farmer gets more profit through milk during this period. Lactation is a physiological state associated with dramatic metabolic adaptations and changes in energy balance. During early lactation (first 10 days in milk) the connection between nutrient supply and milk production appears uncoupled as milk yield is increasing at a steep slope while calculated energy balance is simultaneously decreasing towards its nadir. The major criterion for improvement in production is to optimize the efficiency of utilization of the available fodder resource, which can be achieved by adopting basic concepts; like making the digestive system of the cow efficient, balancing nutrients, achieving high levels of dry matter intake throughout the transition period through excellent feeding management and using supplements of protein, starch and lipids to provide nutrients for milk production above those obtained when the efficiency of utilization of the basal feed has been optimized. Top Keywords Early lactation, Transition period, Nutritional strategies, Mammary physiology, Lactation metabolism. Top |