The focus turns to dry cow management at this time of year, as the majority of autumn calving cows are dried off at this stage.
A well managed dry cow period is also the ideal time to recharge your own batteries in order to be ready for when cows start calving.
Even though many autumn calving farms will also have a spring calving herd that are milking strong at the moment, the reduction in cows through the parlour and reduced labour might ease the pressure around the farm.
The goal of the cow period is to ensure that the cows are calving down healthy with an optimum body condition score (BCS) of 3.0 to 3.25 with healthy udders and low somatic cell count (SCC).
Dry cow management
The first step to a successful dry cow period and calving is getting the cows dried-off in good time. For first time calvers, the aim should be to dry them off 12 weeks in advance of calving and eight weeks for mature cows.
Leaving the cow with an inadequate dry period will lead to their milk yields being significantly reduced and could lead to a loss in condition and a difficult calving.
Cows with a lower BCS of less than 2.75 will need an even longer dry period to regain their body reserves, and for cows in good condition, restricted feeding may have to be introduced to prevent them getting above a BCS of 3.5.
The majority of issues that arise from the calving period can often be traced back to the dry or transition period of the cows.
Examples of issues that can arise during the transition period include:
- Udder oedema;
- Milk fever;
- Retained placenta;
- Displaced abomasum (stomach);
- Laminitis;
- Metritis;
- Ketosis;
- Fatty liver syndrome.
Feeding
Good feeding during the dry period can help reduce the metabolic disorders from occurring and that starts with feeding well preserved silage at 68% to 70% dry matter digestibility (DMD), ideally.
Lower DMD silages may require some concentrate supplementation or a longer dry period to regain body reserves.
Farmers should analyse their silage fed for mineral content as a mineral supplementation programme should be put in place to address any issues encountered.
Most dry cow minerals are carefully manufactured to address the cow’s requirements, but they must be fed properly as it is recommended to supplement with minerals for the last seven weeks of pregnancy.
The specifications for your minerals should be as follows:
- Low calcium (<1.1%);
- 20-25% magnesium;
- 2-5% phosphorus (P) fed at a higher rate if forage P content is low;
- Vitamin D – at least 12,000 units/100g;
- Trace minerals – copper, zinc, selenium, manganese, iodine and cobalt with protected sources included where required.
Minerals are usually fed at a rate of 120g/cow/day and if you are dusting minerals on silage, it is better to do it twice a day at a rate of 60g.
Inadequate mineral supplementation during the dry period can cause problems with perinatal calf health, as well as problems with cow health.
Ensuring that the cubicles are being brushed and cleaned every day with each cow having adequate space will reduce the SCC for the following lactation and minimise the risk of mastitis.