Effect of concentrate escalation postpartum on the shape of the lactation curve and health parameters of Norwegian dairy cattle

A significant increase in Parameter A (starting level of milk yield) occurred when a 1.0 kg/d escalation strategy was used compared with 0.3 kg/d, across all parities. Third or later parity lactation had a significantly lower Parameter B (rate of increase and peak milk yield) and C (persistency of milk yield) when using the 1.0 kg/d escalation compared with the 0.3 kg/d escalation. The 90-d milk yield did not differ significantly between concentrate escalation strategies tested. Thus, the most efficient use of concentrates was escalating with 0.3 kg/d postpartum, as evaluated by kg concentrates given per 100 kg milk produced.