One question commonly asked by dairy producers is: Which forage sources should I use when beginning to feed calves a total mixed ration (TMR) after weaning?

Why are fat supplements fed? Because in early lactation, cows cannot eat enough to meet their increasing milk production energy requirements. Thus, cows go into negative energy balance. This is an issue for especially the first one-third of a lactation. And, this negative energy balance is more pronounced and for a longer period of time for cows beyond their first lactation. Consequently, fat supplements are used to increase energy density of the ration. But, if a fat supplement decreases dry matter intake (DMI), the benefit of using it is decreased.

In a previous article, I noted that high-palmitic-fatty-acid (greater than 80%) supplements most often decrease dry matter intake (DMI). And, since many studies with that type supplement have been done with midlactation cows over a short term (21 days), it raises the question as to what would be the response in early lactation cows?

About 10 years ago, I was working in another country and asked a question of a nutritionist I had known for 10 years previously: “What fat supplementation are you providing?” I was surprised when she said after about five years’ experience with high palmitic fatty acid (HPFA) supplementation, they no longer used that supplement.