We found that feeding steam-flaked BR instead of steam-flaked corn did not affect DMI or milk yield, but increased milk fat production and then led to a more negative EB state, and increased plasma BHBA and AST in early lactation. The milk fat yield in early lactation might have been caused by the carry-over effect in dry period. Our data showed that replacing corn with BR during the periparturient period had adverse effects on the metabolism and energy status in early-lactating cows.