In this experiment two strategies of dairy cow management and feeding were compared during the dry-off period and their effect on dry matter intake and milk production was evaluated. Shortened dry period to 33.4 and feeding the same lactation diet as for the cows in the 2nd part of lactation increased dry matter intake approximately about 4.11 kg per day while cows yielded in the average 15.84 kg of milk per day. Shortened dry period however, did not increase postpartum dry matter intake. In contrary, postpartum dry matter was higher (about 0.68 kg/cow/day) in the group of cows with traditional dry period (57.1 days) and fed a diet responding nutrition requirements of dry-off cows which energy density was increased last three weeks prior calving by addition of concentrates. The strategy of shortened dry period decreased milk yield about 3.23 kg/cow/day during the first 100 days of lactation.