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Our objective was to evaluate the association between days in the prepartum group (DPG) with performance and survival in Holstein cows. Data from 18,657 Holstein cow-lactations (6,993 nulliparous and 9,390 parous prepartum) were collected. Cows with a gestation length shorter than 256 d (n = 267) or longer than 296 d (n = 131) and cows that spent 0 DPG (n = 238) were removed, resulting in 18,021 cow-lactations. Data were collected for the first 300 d postpartum, and responses included milk yield, incidence of diseases by 90 d postpartum, reproduction, and survival. Days in the prepartum group were analyzed as a continuous variable, and regression coefficients were used to estimate the responses when cows spent 7, 28, or 42 DPG, representing cows with a short, moderate, or an extended time in the prepartum group, respectively. An interaction between DPG as a quadratic covariate and parity-diet was observed for milk yield by 300 d postpartum. Means were 9,331; 9,665; and 9,261 kg for 7, 28, or 42 DPG, respectively, in nulliparous cows, and 9,886; 10,939; and 10,117 kg for 7, 28, or 42 DPG, respectively, in parous cows. Also, the interaction between DPG and parity-diet affected retained placenta, metritis, mastitis, and morbidity. Morbidity affected 49.5, 52.9, and 59.5% of nulliparous and 49.7, 26.5, and 47.4% of parous cows that spent 7, 28, or 42 DPG, respectively. A linear association between DPG and pregnancy at first artificial insemination was observed with estimates of 37.0, 32.6, and 29.8% for 7, 28, and 42 DPG, respectively. On the other hand, a quadratic association was observed between DPG and the proportion of pregnant cows at 300 d postpartum, and estimates for 7, 28, and 42 DPG were, respectively, 71.7, 73.5, and 58.8%. A quadratic relationship was also observed for DPG and removal from the herd by 300 d postpartum, and estimates were 25.2, 22.9, and 34.4% for 7, 28, or 42 DPG, respectively. Associations between DPG with production, health, reproduction, and survival were detected, and they varied with parity-diet group. For several responses evaluated, a quadratic association was observed, which suggested that there was an optimal period for cows to spend in the prepartum group, and reduced or extended number of days were detrimental to performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To assess the change in body condition score (BCS) during the early and late dry periods and its association with postpartum diseases and milk yield in grazing dairy cows from central Argentina. Methods: BCS assessments during the dry period, and cow health and milk production records up to 90 days in milk (DIM), were collated for cows from 28 farms at monthly visits between 2007 and 2008. Cows were categorised into four groups; those in Group 1 (n=7,067) maintained or gained BCS during the early and late dry periods; Group 2 (n=2,615) maintained or gained BCS during the early dry period and lost BCS during the late dry period; Group 3 (n=1,989) lost BCS during the early dry period and maintained or gained BCS during the late dry period; and Group 4 (n=5,144) lost BCS during the early and late dry periods. Results: Cows in Group 1 had reduced odds of having retained fetal membranes (RFM), metritis, and clinical mastitis up to 90 DIM than cows in Group 2 (p<0.001), but the odds of disease were similar to cows in Group 3. The odds of having RFM or clinical mastitis tended to be lower in cows in Group 1 than cows in Group 4 (p=0.08). The odds of cows being culled or dying during the first 90 DIM were lower for cows in Group 1 than for those in Groups 2, 3, and 4 (p≤0.05). Mean accumulated milk yield up to 90 DIM was higher in cows in Group 1 than Group 2 and Group 4 (p<0.001), but was similar to that of cows in Group 3 (p=0.28). Conclusions and clinical relevance: Cows that lost BCS during the late dry period had increased odds of being diagnosed with several postpartum diseases and had decreased milk yield compared to cows that maintained or gained BCS during the entire dry period. Loss of BCS during any stage of the dry period was also associated with increased incidence of culling or death during the first 90 DIM. These results should raise awareness among dairy cattle producers of the importance of properly managing cow body condition during the dry period, especially during the late dry period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives were to review the published literature and use meta-analytic methods to determine the effects of dietary protein fed prepartum on productive performance of dairy cows. The hypothesis was that responses to dietary protein prepartum would differ between nulliparous and parous cows, and performance would be maximized at a greater protein supply in nulliparous than in parous cows. The literature was systematically reviewed, searching randomized experiments in which the prepartum dietary content or degradability of protein was manipulated. Twenty-seven experiments including 125 treatment means and 1,801 cows were included in the meta-analysis. Of those, 8 experiments with 27 treatment means reported responses for 510 nulliparous cows. Data collected included the ingredient composition and chemical analyses of prepartum diets, parity group, and means and respective measures of variance for productive responses. Mixed model meta-analysis was conducted and statistical models investigated the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) or supply of metabolizable protein (MP) prepartum on performance. Supply of MP was predicted using the National Research Council Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle (2001) model. The mean ± standard deviation and median (range) concentrations of dietary CP fed to cows prepartum were 14.4 ± 2.2 and 14.4% (8.9 to 20.9%), resulting in mean and median (range) intakes of CP prepartum of 1,720 ± 432 and 1,734 g/d (745 to 2,482 g/d). Predicted prepartum supply of MP averaged 822 ± 157 in nulliparous cows, ranging from 517 to 1,094 g/d, and 1,146 ± 316 in parous cows, ranging from 463 to 1,733 g/d. Increasing prepartum CP content or predicted supply of MP improved postpartum dry matter intake in nulliparous cows, but increasing prepartum CP content reduced prepartum dry matter intake in parous cows. Yields of milk and fat-corrected milk increased with increasing prepartum supply of MP in nulliparous but not in parous cows. Yields of fat and protein increased in nulliparous cows with increased CP content or supply of MP. Alternatively, in parous cows, yield of milk fat was not influenced by supply of MP but responded quadratically to dietary CP content and was maximized at approximately 14% CP. Dietary CP had no effect on protein yield in parous cows, but increasing the supply of MP improved protein yield only in cows from experiments with >36 kg/d of milk production, whereas MP supply had no effect on protein yield of parous cows from experiments with <28 kg/d of milk production. Performance of dairy cows was responsive to prepartum supply of MP and nulliparous benefited from diets with increased MP intake. Based on current results, production responses for nulliparous cows increased linearly up to the maximum MP intake of 1,100 g/d observed in the study, whereas for parous cows, only yield of milk protein in cows producing more than 36 kg of milk/d was influenced by supplying more than 800 g/d of MP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared physiological and productive parameters in 3/4 Holstein × 1/4 Gir dairy cows receiving a prepartum concentrate containing ammonium chloride to reduce urine pH near 7.0 (CON; n = 17), or a commercial anionic supplement to reduce urine pH near 6.0 (SUPP; n = 17). Nonlactating, multiparous, pregnant cows were assigned to receive SUPP or CON beginning 21 d before expected date of calving. Cows were maintained in a single drylot pen with ad libitum access to corn silage, and individually received their prepartum concentrate once daily (0800 h) before calving. Cows from both treatments completely consumed their concentrate allocation within 30 min after feeding. Cow body weight and body condition score were recorded once weekly, urine pH measured every 3 d, and blood samples collected on d −21, −14, −9, −6, and −3 relative to expected calving date. After calving (d 0), cows were moved to an adjacent drylot pen with ad libitum access to water and a total mixed ration, and were milked twice daily (0600 and 1700 h). Cow body weight and body condition score were recorded once weekly and individual milk production was recorded daily until 30 d in milk (DIM). Blood samples were collected before each milking during the first 5 DIM, as well as at 6, 9, 16, 23, and 30 DIM before the morning milking. Based on actual calving dates, cows received SUPP or CON for (mean ± standard error) 19.2 ± 1.2 and 19.0 ± 0.9 d before calving, respectively. Urine pH was less in SUPP versus CON cows during the last 15 d of gestation (6.12 vs. 7.15, respectively). Milk yield during the first 5 DIM and throughout the experimental period was greater in SUPP versus CON cows (by 20 and 14%, respectively), whereas serum Ca concentrations did not differ between treatments during the first 5 DIM. Serum concentrations of fatty acids were greater in SUPP versus CON cows 3 d before and at calving (by 52 and 22%, respectively), whereas SUPP cows had lower serum glucose and cortisol concentration at calving (by 23 and 27%, respectively). Hence, the SUPP treatment decreased prepartum urine pH near 6.0 in Holstein × Gir dairy cows without depressing concentrate intake compared with CON, although total dry matter intake was not evaluated to fully investigate feed intake responses. Moreover, the SUPP treatment transiently affected serum glucose, fatty acids, and cortisol concentrations near the time of calving, and resulted in greater milk yield during the initial 30 DIM compared with CON. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to examine the effects of including selenium (Se) and vitamin E (vitE) in diets for goats and their kids on milk yield and composition, and immune status. Twenty-one 1/2 Saanen x Pardo Alpine goat kids (average body weight of 3.70 ± 0.64 kg) were born from fifteen female Saanen goats (non-lactating and primiparous) with an average age of six years and an average initial live weight of 70 ± 10 kg, which had previously been synchronized with the OvSynch protocol. Animals were allocated at random to the treatments in a completely randomized experimental design, with five replicates per diet for goats and seven replicates, for goat kids. Animals were randomly assigned into three groups in the following diets: CON: control basal diet; Se: inclusion of 3.2 mg of Se/kg DM; SevitE: inclusion of 3.2 mg Se / kg DM and 1145 IU / day vitE/kg DM. Milk yield and composition of goats were evaluated only considering the average production of the period, whereas Se in serum, milk and total plasma antioxidant capacity and phagocytosis intensity data were evaluated by time repeated measures. Goats fed CON diet showed higher total dry extract levels in milk than those fed Se diet (P< 0.05). An interaction between diet and time was observed for serum Se concentration in goats (P < 0.01). The Se concentration in milk was higher for goats fed the Se and SevitE than animals fed the CON (P = 0.01). There was only a time effect (P = 0.04) for Se concentrations in milk, and vitE in serum (P < 0.01) and milk (P < 0.01) and TAS (P < 0.01). The concentrations of Se in the blood of goat kids fed the SevitE, and Se diets were higher than animals fed the CON diet (P < 0.01). Diets influenced the Se concentration and phagocytosis intensity, while a time effect was observed on phagocytosis intensity (P < 0.05). A week effect was observed for phagocytosis of E. coli in goats (P = 0.01). For goat kids, a diet effect was observed for phagocytosis of E. coli (P = 0.01) and only the percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was not influenced by diets (P = 0.95). The inclusion of Se and vitE or their combination reduces oxidative stress without influencing oxidative stress in neonates fed with milk from goats supplemented with selenium and vitamin E in their diets. • Selenium and vitamin E were supplemented in diets for goats and their kids. • Diets only affected the total dry extract content in goats' milk. • An interaction between diet and time was noted on the selenium in serum of goats. • Blood count cells of goats and kids was not affected by Se and vitE supplementation. • The Se and vitE supplementation did not affect the phagocytosis intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article focuses on a study on the impact of pre-and-postpartum managemental intervention using Asparagus (A.) racemosus on production and reproduction in crossbred dairy cows. Ayurvedic medicine shows the efficacy of the A. racemosus herb, also called Shatavari, in increasing milk production and in enhancing vitality of fetus and newborn. It concludes that A. racemosus root powder supplementation enhances production and reproduction in cattle.

Objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of supplementation of bypass fat on milk production and reproductive performance of crossbred cows. Nineteen multiparous crossbred cows (2-4 lactation) were divided in two groups on the basis of most probable production ability (MPPA). The animals in group 1 (nine cows, MPPA 3,441.32 kg, control group G1) were fed chaffed wheat straw, chopped green maize, and concentrate mixture as per requirements while the animals in group 2 (10 cows, MPPA 3,457.2 kg, treatment group G2) were fed the same ration supplemented with 2.5% bypass fat (on DMI basis). The cows of G2 were supplemented bypass fat 40 days prepartum to 90 days postpartum and carry over effect of supplementation on milk production and reproductive parameters was monitored up to 210 days of lactation. Average birth weights of the calves were 24.94 and 27.95 kg in G1 and G2, respectively. The calving per cent in G1 (88.88%) was lower than that of G2 (100%). The time taken for expulsion of fetal membranes was decreased ( P < 0.05) by 5.4 h in G2 compared to G1. Days required for involution of uterus was less ( P < 0.05) in G2 (35.40 days) than that of G1 (49.44 days). Less number of cases of retention of fetal membranes (RFM) and metritis were observed in G2 as compared to that of G1. The average milk yield (210 days) in G2 was higher ( P < 0.05) than that of G1 (18.65 vs 17.57 kg/day). Similarly, the milk yield during the carry over period (90 days) was higher ( P < 0.05) in G2 than that of G1 (14.81 vs 13.79 kg/day). The time required for onset of cyclicity was reduced ( P < 0.05) by 6.5 days in G2 as compared to that of G1. The service period and AI per conception were also reduced ( P < 0.05) in G2 while bypass fat feeding showed no effect on conception rate ( P < 0.80). There were no differences between the two groups in plasma cholesterol, progesterone and insulin concentrations. Hence, it was concluded that bypass fat supplementation at 2.5% of DMI increased the milk production and reduced the time required for involution of uterus and commencement of cyclicity. AI per conception, incidences of metritis and RFM were also reduced on supplementing bypass fat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high percentage of heifers calve with intramammary infections. One of the measures available to control intramammary infections is treatment with antibiotics before calving. In this study, the effects of prepartum treatment of nonlactating heifers with a 600-mg cloxacillin dry cow treatment on the prevalence of culture-positive milk samples at calving and 10 to 14 d in milk (DIM), the incidence of clinical mastitis, somatic cell count (SCC), and milk production during first lactation were quantified. A total of 184 heifers on 13 dairy farms were treated with antibiotics 8 to 10 wk before the expected calving date. Another 185 heifers served as untreated controls. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently isolated group of bacteria in the treatment and control groups at calving (32 and 42%), and at 10 to 14 DIM (15 and 19%), respectively. The prevalence of minor pathogens at calving was lower in the treatment group compared with the control group (34 and 43%, respectively). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated major pathogen in the treated and control heifers at calving (4 and 5%) and at 10 to 14 DIM (2 and 3%), respectively. The prevalence of major pathogens was lower in the treated heifers at 10 to 14 DIM compared with the control group (4 and 6%, respectively). Cumulative incidence risk of clinical mastitis during the lactation was 9 and 18% in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Treatment with cloxacillin 8 to 10 wk before calving resulted in a lower prevalence of culture-positive milk samples at calving and lower quarter milk SCC in early lactation [30,000 ± 4,600 (standard deviation) cells/mL in treated heifers versus 40,000 ± 4,600 cells/mL in control heifers], and was associated with lower average test-day SCC (55,000 ± 1,400 cells/mL in treated heifers versus 71,000 ± 1,500 cells/mL in control heifers) and lower incidence of clinical mastitis throughout lactation. The improved udder health resulted in a higher average test-day milk production in the first lactation (24.5 ± 3.2 kg in treated heifers versus 23.6 ± 3.1 kg in control heifers). Dairy farms with heifer mastitis problems need to analyze their mastitis management. Prepartum treatment of heifers with dry cow antibiotics may be helpful by decreasing the prevalence of mastitis-causing pathogens at calving and at 10 to 14 DIM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to identify precalving nutritional risk factors that may affect variation in first service conception risk in 21 commercial Holstein dairy herds in a tropical environment (Reunion Island). The data set included 473 lactation records in 404 cows. A multivariate logistic-regression model including herd as a random effect was used to analyse the relationship between first service conception risk and energy status (body condition score, plasma glucose, insulin, cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate), nitrogen status (urea), hepatic function (γ-glutamyltransferase, glutamate deshydrogenase, albumin), and mineral deficiencies (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium), adjusting systematically for factors such as breeding, season, parity, previous milk yield and fertility, calving to first service interval and type of oestrus (spontaneous versus induced). The overall mean conception risk was 0.27±0.02 (mean±S.E.M., n =473). First service conception risk was penalized by calving to 1st service interval shorter than 60 days, synchronized oestrus, previous 305-day milk yield >8000kg (p <0.05), low blood glucose concentration in high-yielding cows (p <0.05) and combined high urea and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations (p <0.01). Precalving energy imbalance, revealed by low prepartum glucose concentration, was a strong nutritional predictor of low first service conception risk in high-yielding cows. Some precalving nutritional disorders potentially associated with consumption of spoiled silage which induces elevated circulating urea and β-hydroxybutyrate have a delayed detrimental effect on conception, even if the true causes of this effect remain to be elucidated. As a conclusion, our findings should lead the breeders to pay more attention to the feeding of dry cows that is usually neglected in Reunion Island dairy farms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study was carried out in order to determine the effects, after feeding propylene glycol to Valle del Belice ewes 30 days prepartum and 30 days postpartum, on metabolic profiles, body-condition score, milk yield, milk composition, milk clotting ability and the performance of suckling lambs. Ewes were blocked by parity, body-condition score and previous milk production, and assigned randomly to either a control diet or a diet containing propylene glycol fed at the rate of 80g/ewe/day (low PG) or 160g/ewe/day (high PG). Feeding propylene glycol prepartum decreased the concentration of BHBA and NEFA and increased the concentration of glucose in the ewes¿ plasma. Milk yield from ewes fed the diet containing the higher and lower levels of propylene glycol, was 25 and 16% greater respectively than milk yield from ewes fed the control diet (P &#60; 0.01). Feeding propylene glycol increased the milk fat and milk protein yield, and the milk cheese-making capacity compared with the control. Lambs of ewes fed the low and high propylene glycol diets, weighed 580 and 370g more, respectively, at birth, than lambs of ewes fed the control diet (P &#60; 0.01). Lambs of ewes fed the high propylene glycol diet gained 26g/day more and weighed 1.15kg more at 30 days compared to the lambs of ewes fed the control diet. In conclusion, feeding propylene glycol to ewes from 30 days prepartum up to 30 days postpartum decreased BHBA and NEFA concentrations in plasma, increased glucose concentration in plasma and milk yield, and improved the growth of nursing lambs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Two novel dietary supplements with resin acids were compared in transition cows. • Rumen microbiota was analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing 2 and 10 weeks after calving. • Time but not the diets affected rumen microbiome and lactation parameters. • Plasma cytokine levels responded to time and to one resin acid treatment. • Milk fatty acid composition reflected the changes in cow energy status. Dairy cows have intense fluctuations in digestive, metabolic and hormonal systems around calving which predispose them to various disorders and health problems. The aim of the current experiment was to investigate feed and nutrient intake, rumen fermentation, rumen bacterial communities, milk production, milk fatty acid composition and plasma biomarker profiles of dairy cows to assess the modulation of these functions by in-feed resin acid inclusion. Thirty-six Nordic Red cows were used in a continuous feeding trial starting 3 weeks prepartum and lasting for 10 weeks into the lactation. The cows were fed grass silage ad libitum and the dietary treatments were 1) control with basal concentrate (CON), 2) CON supplemented with tall oil fatty acids (TOFA; 90% fatty acids and 9% resin acids) at 7.0 g/cow/day and 3) CON supplemented with resin acid concentrate (RAC; 37.5% resin acids) at 1.7 g/cow/day. The mixture of resin acids in TOFA and RAC, consisting mostly of abietic and dehydroabietic acids, originated from coniferous tree species Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies L. Feed intake and milk production were measured throughout the experimental period. Milk and blood samples were collected at weeks 2, 3, 6 and 10, and rumen fluid was sampled at weeks 2 and 10 of lactation to analyse rumen fermentation and rumen bacterial communities. The dynamics in feed intake and milk production with progressing lactation showed typical curvilinear trends (P for time <0.001). The time effect was also significant for most other measured parameters including plasma metabolites, immunological biomarkers, rumen pH and a number of ruminal bacterial species. Diet organic matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibility of TOFA was higher (P < 0.05) than those of the other diets. TOFA also resulted in mild immunomodulatory effects but in general there were no major effects of in-feed resin acid supplementation or diet × time interactions on the measured parameters. This indicates that under the conditions of the current experiment, the dietary supplements were not able to modulate the performance of dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Diets resulting in high BCS for holstein provoke overcondition in girolando F1cows. • Metabolism and redox status were similar for obese holstein and girolando F1 cows. • Feeding protocols are needed for transitional girolando F1 cows to avoid overcondition. This preliminary study aimed to compare feed intake, milk production and composition as well metabolites in blood, and redox status in Holstein and Girolando F1 (½ Holstein × ½ Gyr) heifers presenting high body condition score (BCS) during the transition period (-d15 to d21 related to calving). A completely randomized experimental design was used, testing the effect of two different genotypes with measures repeated in time (days within periods) and 12 replicates. Data about feed intake (DMI), body weight, BCS, blood metabolites, biomarkers related to redox status as well as milk production and its composition were analyzed. During the transition period, Girolando F1 heifers had higher BCS than Holstein heifers, but lower DMI. During the prepartum, Girolando F1 heifers presented higher glucose than Holstein heifers, and on day6 before calving, Girolando F1 heifers had higher creatinine, but lower NEFA than Holstein heifers. During the postpartum , Girolando F1 animals presented higher oxidation of dichlorofluorescein in the plasma compared with Holstein. Girolando F1 animals produced less milk compared with Holstein between d4 and d21. When fed the same diets on pre- and postpartum periods, Girolando F1 had higher BCS, consumed less feed and produced less milk compared with Holstein. It is worth to notice that despite differences between Holstein and Girolando F1 heifers on glucose, creatinine and NEFA during the prepartum, and on the concentration of oxidized dichlorofluorescein in plasma during the postpartum, this study shows that Girolando F1 and Holsteins heifers with high BCS during the transition period present similar physiological and metabolic issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mature grazing cows are more likely to develop subclinical hypocalcemia regardless of feeding prepartum anionic diets. • The supplementation of 2 boluses of oral calcium 24 h apart at day 1 postpartum improve the calcemia and milk yield of cows with parity 3 or more. • The supplementation of 2 boluses of oral calcium 24 h apart at day 1 postpartum improves the calcemia and milk yield of cows in parity ≥3. • Parity number has a strong effect on calcemia in lactating grazing Holstein cows. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of oral calcium boluses at parturition on plasma total calcium (tCa), phosphorus (P), total magnesium (tMg), beta hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and milk yield during the postpartum (pp) of grazing Holstein cows. The study was conducted on a seasonal grazing dairy in Chile. Prepartum cows were fed an anionic diet (-86 mEq/kg DM). In 2019, 10 cows of parity 2, 3, and ≥ 4, respectively, were randomly assigned at parturition to a treatment group (n=30), receiving 2 boluses of oral Ca, (CaCl 2 , providing 44 g Ca) 24 h apart, and matched by parity to a control group (n=30). A blood sample was obtained at d 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 pp. Milk yield was recorded until 30 d pp. Minerals and milk yield were analysed by ANOVA for repeated measures. Treatment had no effect on tCa in parity 2 cows. However, in lactation 3, Ca supplementation increased the concentration of tCa at d 2 and 3 pp, and in lactation ≥ 4 boluses tended to increase tCa at d 2 pp. Higher BHB concentrations at d 4 pp were found in treated cows than in the control cows. Milk yield in lactation 2 was lower in the treated than the control group. In lactations ≥ 3, milk yield was higher in the treated than the control group. In conclusion, two oral Ca boluses at parturition 24 h apart in grazing cattle fed anionic prepartum diets, improved Ca status and milk yield during the postpartum period in cows ≥ 3 lactations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The rumen epithelium of dairy cattle undergoes a transformation in response to dietary and physiological changes. Rumen papillae development and adaptation from a typical dry cow diet to a lactating diet can require a substantial amount of time, subsequently limiting the amount of volatile fatty acids (VFA) absorbed from the rumen during early lactation. Infusions of butyrate into the rumen of sheep stimulates cellular proliferation of rumen epithelial tissue, which may prove beneficial for ruminal papillae development in dairy cows during the dry period. However, no studies have investigated mechanisms associated with rumen epithelial adaptation in periparturient dairy cattle. Our hypothesis was that supplementation with cane molasses containing 34% sucrose during the prepartum period would stimulate ruminal butyrate production and ultimately promote ruminal papillae development and absorption rate, thus increasing dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production during the postpartum period. Results from these experiments indicate that diets containing cane molasses during a 60 day dry period can positively influence transition cow performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of cane molasses during a 60 day dry period on performance and metabolism of Holstein cows during prepartum and postpartum periods. For experiment 1, 26 primiparous and 28 multiparous cows were used. Upon freshening, all cows were offered a common lactation diet. For experiment 2, six multiparous cows fitted with rumen cannulas were used to measure performance and metabolism, following the same protocol as experiment 1. Ruminal propionate increased by 10% during both prepartum and postpartum periods; however, papillae area was greater for cows not fed molasses, and volatile fatty acids (VFA) absorption from the rumen was not increased, resulting in similar glucagon-like-peptide-2 receptor (GLP-2R) density. The improved dry matter intake, when molasses was added into prepartum diets, translated into increased milk yield and energy-corrected milk (ECM) in Experiment 1 only for multiparous cows. For experiment 2, the improvement on milk performance was also observed, where cows fed molasses had 18.5% greater ECM production. Feeding molasses during a 60 day dry period positively influenced transition cow performance, and it was not accompanied by changes in rumen morphometrics; however, this indicates enhanced adaptation by the rumen epithelium based on similar capabilities for VFA absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]