Association between dry period length and lactation performance, lactation curve, calf birth weight, and dystocia in Holstein dairy cows in Iran

In this study, 65,971 lactations on 41,842 cows in 64 herds were used to determine the association between dry period length (DPL) and lactation performance, lactation curve, calf birth weight, and the incidence of calving difficulty during the subsequent parity in Holstein dairy cows in Iran. The length of the dry period was classified into 7 categories: 0 to 35 d, 36 to 50 d, 51 to 60 d, 61 to 70 d, 71 to 85 d, 86 to 110 d, and 111 to 160 d. Cows with the standard DPL (51 to 60 d) produced more 305-d milk, fat, and protein over the next lactation compared with those with shorter dry periods. Shorter dry periods (0 to 35 d and 36 to 50 d) were associated with lower initial milk yield, steeper inclining and declining slopes of the lactation curve, and higher milk persistency compared with dry period length of 51 to 60 d. Peak lactation was achieved later in cows with 0- to 35-d and 36- to 50-d dry period length than in those with dry period length of 51 to 60 d. We also observed a relationship between DPL and calf birth weight: smaller calf birth weight was recorded with a dry period of 51 to 60 d compared with longer dry periods. The incidence of calving difficulty did not differ in cows with 51- to 60-d dry period compared with cows with 0- to 35-d and 36- to 50-d dry periods. In conclusion, the results of this study did not support previous findings that suggested a shorter dry period could be beneficial to dairy production.