Final answer:
The question addresses the feeding of concentrates to dry cows before calving to avoid excessive weight gain. It's crucial to provide a balanced diet to maintain their health and prepare for subsequent lactation. Similar considerations apply to other animal husbandry practices and wildlife survival strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the proper nutrition and management of dry cows, specifically in relation to feeding them concentrates before calving. Feeding concentrates to dry cows can be a contentious topic. The practice aims at preparing the cows for lactation and avoiding too much fat accumulation that could lead to health issues such as difficult calving and metabolic disorders. However, the amount of concentrate given needs to be balanced to ensure the cows are getting necessary nutrients without becoming overweight.
During the dry period, cows are not lactating and therefore their energy needs are reduced. This is similar to other livestock practices where animals may have seasonal variations in feed availability and requirements. For example, hay farming is closely linked with dairy regions to provide feed during winter when grazing is limited, and certain wildlife like elk may require a threshold level of energy stored as fat for survival during colder months.