Feeding cane molasses during the dry period may improve early lactation milk production, say Kansas State University researchers.

They fed separate far-off and close-up dry cow rations, both with and without 3% cane molasses. Cows fed molasses tended to consume more dry matter during the close-up dry period, and ate 7% more dry matter during the first 30 days after freshening.

Milk production during that period tended to be higher for molasses-fed cows, the researchers report.