Early Lactation Responses of Holstein Cows Fed a Rumen-Inert Fat Prepartum, Postpartum, or Both

Primiparous (n = 22) and multiparous (n = 41) cows were randomly assigned by calving date and parity to one of four dietary sequences of supplemental fat from 14 d prepartum to 151 d postpartum. Partially hydrogenated tallow was added to diets at 0% prepartum and postpartum (control); 1% prepartum and 2% postpartum; 0% prepartum and 2% postpartum; and 0% prepartum, 0% from 1 to 34 d postpartum, and 2% from 35 to 151 d postpartum. Inclusion of partially hydrogenated tallow did not influence yields of milk or 3.5% FCM, milk composition, or DMI during the first 151 d postpartum. During the first 35 d postpartum, cows receiving partially hydrogenated tallow starting at parturition yielded milk with a higher fat content than those receiving fat prepartum and postpartum. Addition of partially hydrogenated tallow to diets starting 35 d postpartum resulted in cows being more persistent in yields of milk and 3.5% FCM from 60 to 151 d postpartum. Reproduction parameters measured were unaffected by time of fat addition to diets. Our data suggest that delaying the addition of partially hydrogenated tallow to diets until 35 d postpartum may improve the persistency of lactation.