Calm before the storm

Happy new year, everyone. With each new year, comes a new set of challenges! And while a lot of things are outside our control, we do have some control over what is happening on our farm. January brings a welcome break for farmers – if they have dry cows – before the start of the very busy calving season, and there are some things that we can do now to ensure that it is a successful season.

Body condition

Are cows in the correct condition for calving and are they changing condition? It is hard to see this if you are always looking at them but sometimes an advisor, nutritionist or experienced eye on the farm can give you an independent view. A useful tip here is to use your camera phone to take pictures of cows from the back/side, including the freeze brand. It is amazing how changes can occur over a few weeks and go unnoticed to the human eye. Dry cows should be eating, drinking, or lying down chewing the cud. They should not be idly standing around and if they are, then you must investigate the cause and address it.

Nutrition

You must ensure there is adequate feed space for cows as they get bigger, and especially as cows calve. If all cows are eating at once or are rushing for feed, you need to review – are they out of feed for too long, is poor mix quality causing sorting? Feeding good silage is also key. Many farms will use the edge and top of pits to feed dry cows as they are not milking but with this you could be causing a lot of harm. Waste silage generally has a high ash content and higher mineral content and for animals that you are balancing mineral intake this can cause havoc. On top of this, mycotoxins and mould are more prevalent in these areas leading to issues that can be as mild as poor thrive to as extreme as cows slipping calves. This isn’t about feeding the best quality silage but rather the cleanest silage. All rotten silage should be discarded. Finally, double check the dry matter (DM) intake in the diet. While the diet might be balanced, intake on a dry matter basis could be 10-20 per cent off, leading to BCS change in the wrong direction.

Minerals

It is essential to feed the required level of a good mineral within one month, or so, of calving. Check the label on the bag for the required inclusion and weigh out. As cows begin to calf, observe their calving speed; cleaning and adjustment could be needed in things like magnesium to alleviate any issues. Speaking to your mineral supplier or nutritionist would be a worthwhile phone call at this stage.