In early lactation, milk production rises faster than feed intake, so energy nutrition deserves special attention.

Feed intake around calving is often lower than usual, just when energy requirements are highest.

Milk yield in the first weeks after calving depends to a large extent on the energy available to the cow.

Management systems and the care of fresh cows make a difference to how a herd goes through the transition period.

Reaching calving with a balanced body condition is one of the key goals of dry-cow management.

The energy effort of the transition period has an impact on the reproductive efficiency of dairy herds.

Body condition after calving is closely linked to the return of cows to the reproductive cycle and to the reproductive efficiency of the herd.