The present invention includes a method for improving milk production in a
ruminant. An amount of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry
matter of a feed is manipulated to include a first selected ratio of
ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of the feed
which is fed to the ruminant during a first time interval after
parturition. After the first time interval, the amount of ruminally
digestible starch component in the dry matter of the feed is adjusted to
a second ratio, lower than the first ratio, and fed to the ruminant.