Dexter cow

[Mickey]

My Dexter cow is due to calve in July. I will be milking her and need to know when I should start increasing her grain intake. I've always given her a 1 lb coffee can full twice a day, but would like to feed for most milk possible.
Thanks,
Mickey

[linn]

I don't weigh my Dexter's grain, so I am giving you a guesstimate. I would say 4-5 lbs of grain per day is the right amount. I usually don't start graining my milk cows until they calve. I start my Dexter out with a small amount, if she cleans that up before I am through milking, I increase it a little each time, until she finishes her grain just about the time I finish milking. If you have a greedy cow, you can add a flake of good alfalfa or alfalfa pellets.

[Mickey]

Thanks Linn, but what I want to know for now is should I start gradually increasing her grain intake before she calves, and if so by how much?
Mickey

[linn]

I would be wary of too much grain before calving. Here is a link to explain some of the adverse effects of feeding too much grain before calving.

http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/...licationId=836

[Onthebit]

Excellent link linn, I don't feed mine any grain at all until they calve either. I don't grain the ones who are only raising their calf. I haven't weighed my feed but a coffee can of rolled barley + 1 cup of dairy supplement when milking is all they get. Mind you they get a good mineral supplement and excellent hay (free choice) or pasture-which they have just been turned out on.

[Mickey]

Thanks for the input folks :-)
Mickey