Metabolic programming is defined as a nutritional intrauterine and/or early postnatal stimulus or insultat a critical period of development with lasting or lifelong significance. Thus growth, milk yield and fertilityas decisive parameters for the productivity of ruminants are influenced not only by genetic and environmentalfactors, but also by epigenetics. In the past decade, knowledge of the impact of metabolic programming inhumans and rodents in their later lives has increased considerably. Despite striking differences between themetabolic systems of ruminants and those of monogastric species, metabolic programming has a markedimpact on the ruminant species as well. Especially during the first weeks of life, an adequate supply of nutrientsis pivotal. Recent studies have demonstrated the advantages of intensified feeding of the preweaning calf forachieving better performance in the resulting dairy cow. Further research will be needed to elucidate thepotential of specific tools to manipulate metabolic programming for the purpose of improving the productivityand fertility of cattle.