We recently held a course in Bangor on Dee, in which the main discussion topic was DRY COW MANAGEMENT. In it we discussed the RISK FACTORS IN THE DRY PERIOD and we have listed them below for you to consider.
Tick if they apply to you
- One group of cows for the whole dry period
- Heifers and cows on transition for less than 21 days
- Inadequate vitamins and minerals in the diet
- Out of sight out of mind
- Diet short of effective fibre
- Diet lacking in energy and protein
- Weight loss before calving
- Forages too high in specific mineral: e.g. potassium
- Pre-calving diet different from post-calving diet
- Poor cow comfort
- Inadequate clean water
- Inadequate feed space
- Unpalatable stale feed presented to cows
- Feed not available around the clock
- Lame cows
- Cows too fat or too thin
WHAT IS YOUR SCORE?
| 12 TICKS | - VERY HIGH RISK |
| 8 TICKS | - MODERATE RISK |
| 6 TICKS | - BELOW AVERAGE RISK |
| 4 TICKS | - LOW RISK |
The risk is not just milk fever, but mastitis, lameness and infertility.
The dry period is a critical time in the management of the modern dairy cow. It is essential that the cow is properly prepared for the subsequent lactation. During this period the cow will rebuild her mammary tissue, replenish her body reserves, and condition her digestive system to achieve high intakes in early lactation.
MASTITIS
- 50% of clinical mastitis develops in the dry period
- If the immune system is poor, then likely to get infections: poor vitamin and mineral status
- Excessive weight effects liver and immune system post calving
- Mastitis secondary effects of milk fever, da, whites, acidosis and lameness.
DRY COW MANAGEMENT AND LAMENESS
- SARA (sub acute rumen acidosis) is linked to pre/post calving diet causing laminitis.
- Horn growth poor in dry period linked to hormone changes
- Supplements such as protected copper, protected zinc and biotin will improve horn growth.
- Infections such as mastitis, whites all can contribute to laminitis
DRY COW MANAGEMENT AND INFERTILITY
- Dry cow diet promoting high intakes will increase intakes post calving, reduces liveweight loss at peak yield.
- Evidence of more than 50Kg (1 condition score) liveweight loss reduces infertility.
- Good dry cow diet stops dry cows losing weight
- Follicle development in dry period linked to egg quality at service
- Link with mineral availability in dry period in areas of mineral lock up) e.g.: copper)
- Reducing retained cleansings and risk of whites very important in fertility
- Calf survival linked to vitamin E, selenium and iodine.
At this time of year, the dry cows most neglected are the far off ones. They need some effective mineral supplementation if they are to calve down with adequate levels. The easiest way is to feed quality mineral buckets.
We recommend our:
VITALMIN DRY COW BUCKETS They are high in protected copper, zinc and selenium, Vitamin A. D3 and E.
Supplements for the close up period are either:
EXCEL PRE-CALVER ROLLS (Which contain high spec minerals and vitamins) or
EXCEL DRY COW MINERALS as part of a TMR mix.