Define Feed Program Stages: Cows
Once an animal has calved, she moves into the lactation program. This program is divided into General and Pregnant tabs.
The General tab includes the following stages:
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Fresh Cows - The first days after calving when recovery from calving and balancing body energy is crucial.
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Early Lactation - The main period of lactation when production is persistent.
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Mid Lactation - The middle period of lactation when production is persistent, yet slowly decreasing.
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Late Lactation - The last period of lactation when milk production decreases as the cow progresses toward her dry period.
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Dry - The rest period before calving; the close-up segment is part of the dry period.
The pregnant lactation tab includes the following stages:
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Period 1 – The first days after successful insemination.
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Period 2 – Has a minimum 7-day interval, and can begin at a maximum of 266 days. Adjust Period 2 on the timeline to lenghten/shorten the dry period.
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Dry – Starts after Period 2. The Dry period can be adjusted to start any time from 218 to 273 days.
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Close-up - The period of approximately 14 days before calving when the cow is in a dry pen – in order to accustom her to milking cow nutrition. Close-up begins any time from 273 to 287 days.
