Brian Reidy: Fresh cows — driving intakes for optimum performance

A feeding and management strategy which will help boost intakes immediately post-calving should be a high priority.

Recently, I covered the management of the dry cow and how preparing cows for their lactation will deliver a more profitable result from a healthy animal that transitions into early lactation. 

It cannot be emphasised enough: how dry matter intakes need to be driven to deliver sufficient energy for their requirements based on their stage of gestation and preparation for the subsequent lactation. Drive intake pre-calving and reap the benefits for the whole lactation.