Effects of Prepartum Dietary Carbohydrate Source and Monensin on Periparturient Metabolism and Lactation in Multiparous Cows

Eighty-five multiparous Holstein cows were used in a completely randomized design with restrictions to evaluate the effects of prepartum carbohydrate (CHO) source and monensin on periparturient dry matter intake (DMI), blood parameters, and lactation performance of dairy cows. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with a conventional (CONV) dry cow diet and a nonforage fiber source (NFFS) dry cow diet not supplemented (−) or supplemented (+) with 330 mg/cow per d of monensin as a top dressing. The CONV diet contained 70% forage and the NFFS diet contained nonforage fiber sources such that 28% of the forage was replaced with cottonseed hulls and soyhulls. The experimental diets (CONV and NFFS) were fed throughout the entire dry period (for 60 d before parturition). Monensin was top dressed once daily starting 28 d (27 ± 1.8 SD) before the expected calving date and continued until parturition. After parturition, all cows received the same lactating cow diet. During the last 28 d of gestation, cows receiving the NFFS diets prepartum had greater DMI (15.8 vs. 11.9 kg/d), DMI as a percentage of body weight (2.1 vs. 1.6% of body weight), plasma glucose (67.4 vs. 64.6 mg/dL), and serum insulin concentrations (0.59 vs. 0.45 ng/mL), and lower plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentrations (185 vs. 245 μEq/L) compared with cows receiving the CONV diets prepartum. Average milk production or composition during the first 56 d of lactation was not significantly affected by prepartum source of CHO, monensin, or their combination; however, there was a trend for the prepartum CHO source to affect milk production over time. Supplementation of monensin as a top dressing for 28 d prepartum had no effect on periparturient measurements. The prepartum diet did not affect postpartum DMI, blood glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, insulin concentrations, or liver triglyceride content. Results from this research demonstrated that partly replacing conventional dietary carbohydrate sources with NFFS, cottonseed hulls and soyhulls, in the dry cow diet improved or maintained the prepartum DMI and therefore enhanced the prepartum metabolic status, as indicated by key blood metabolite concentrations. This greater prepartum DMI may potentially increase milk production during early lactation.