OptiLac

Deliberately extending lactation in dairy cattle offers perspectives to improve cow health and longevity, by reducing the frequency of calving moments, which are associated with an increased risk for health issues. A longer lactation however, may be related with a lower milk production, and a risk for fattening at the of the lactation. It is known that not all cows respond similar to an extended lactation, so more information to individually assess the suitability of a cow for an extended lactation is required.

A previous research found that milk production level, age and condition of the cow in early lactation could be used as predictors for the performance of a cow in an extended lactation. The aim of the PPP OptiLac is to develop a decision model to determine optimal lactation length of cows which can be used by farmers. In this decision model, individual cow information and farm-specific information will be used. Next to the development of the on-farm decision model, feeding strategies will be investigated that focus on limiting fattening and maintaining milk production in cows at the end of an extended lactation. 

More information on the optimization of the lactation length for individual cows can be helpful to reduce possible risks of extended lactation for milk production and body condition at the end of lactation, and consequently benefit from the positive effects extended lactation can have for animal health and longevity, on-farm labor, feed use and number of surplus calves.