For spring calving herds, the end of the lactation is approaching so some important decisions need to be made to hopefully ensure a stress-free start to 2025.

Milk recording

Four milk recordings a year should be carried out to make better informed decisions all year round. A final milk recording should be organised close to the onset of drying off (ideally within 30 days), to help assist in decisions around selective dry cow therapy.

BCS

Best practise is to dry off cows at, or close to, the same condition she should calve down in (Target 3.0 – 3.25). Therefore, nutrition of the dry cow should centre around maintenance over 60 days. Thin cows should be prioritised for early drying off to assist in the recouperation of condition. Where large variation in a herd arises with BCS, batching accordingly and making a tailored plan is advisable.

Silage analysis

Nutrition depends on what silage quality (and quantity), is available in the yard, therefore silage analysis is crucial. High quality silage will need dilution with straw/hay to avoid over-conditioning. Additional energy sources through concentrates may also be required, where quality is poor.

Where ongoing issues occur with milk fever, retained afterbirth and/or slow calvings, a silage mineral analysis will establish Potassium (K) % in the silage being offered to dry cows. K levels > 1.8% can cause issues. Preventative plans can then be put in place.

Selecting a dry cow mineral

Feeding high quality dry cow mineral for 60 days is central to a cow calving down without issue next Spring. Most Irish silage lacks the mineral levels required by the cow and therefore requires balancing. Using a highly soluble source of Magnesium is essential to overcoming any milk fever risks; this should be coupled with the inclusion of complimentary Phosphorus, a high inclusion of chelated/protected trace elements to overcome antagonists, and a strong all-round vitamin pack (A, D3 & E).

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Prevention of metabolic disorders next spring will hinge around management decisions that will be made in the coming weeks. When costs associated with clinical cases are assessed alongside the time and labour involved in such cases, prevention is always better than cure.

It remains best practice to dry off cows at, or very close to the same condition that they should calve down in (target BCS 3.0-3.25). Nutrition over the dry period targeting maintenance – with thin cows ideally dried off early to permit BCS recouperation –typically equates to 68-70% DMD silage in an adlib silage feeding scenario. However, one should always be mindful that over conditioned cows at calving are troublesome and can be linked with several metabolic issues.

Dry Cow Mineral Provision

Feeding a dry cow mineral throughout the dry period is essential to build up mineral reserves and allows the cow to calve down comfortably. High Potassium (K) levels in silages is very common, which requires dilution of K levels in the diet and/or a high level of soluble Magnesium (Mg) to counter the increased risk of milk fever. High levels of K limits Mg absorption, delaying the release of Calcium (Ca) and increases the incidence of milk fever. Grass silage with greater than 1.8% K can cause issues.

Sub-clinical cases of milk fever are being estimated to cost greater than €100 with approximately six sub-clinical cases going undetected for every single clinical case seen. This typically presents through slow calving and/or retained afterbirths. Where this has proven an issue, a silage mineral analysis establishes K% in the dry cow silage being offered. A preventative plan can then be put in place to preclude reoccurrences.

Feed Facilities

When there’s limited feed space for dry cows, and where minerals are being dusted on top of silage, some cows may not be benefiting from the advised feed rate. Minerals can be offered via diet feeder or alternatively where top-dressing minerals at the barrier and space is limited, offer minerals twice daily (half rate AM/half rate PM) to ensure all cows receive the correct amount.

Learn more about our Welmin Dry Cow Mineral Range.

For more information, contact your local Sales Advisor. 

PICA is often a noticeable issue on farm during this time of year, which can have negative effects on the breeding season.

Pica is often defined as a cows’ desire to eat things that do not have any nutritional value. Currently, as we move into the breeding season, concerns are being raised around cows/breeding heifers licking and chewing foreign objects such as stones, plastic, and clay etc. Typically associated with drought conditions and poor P index soils, a cold/dry spell in April can exacerbate the issue.

While there is little research on Pica, it is generally thought there are three main causes: a lack of phosphorus, sodium, or the incidence of rumen acidosis/lack of fibre in the diet. A sodium deficiency tends to occur in grazed grass due to an oversupply of potash, while a phosphorus deficiency is usually caused by a low index of phosphorus in the soil or in rapid/poor grass growth rates. Rumen acidosis is far more prominent in grass-based systems than we think; due to the emphasis on the production of high D-value grass with low fibre levels.

It is important to be vigilant for such behaviours as they pose an additional risk, especially in out farm situations. Ensure toxic plants and foreign inedible objects such as nails, wires and discarded batteries are not within reach and/or fence off any high-risk areas.  

Addressing phosphorus and sodium deficiencies

To address the phosphorus and sodium deficiencies, we recommend supplying salt licks to your cows that contain a high level of phosphorus. Here at Agritech, we supply a Mineral Salt Lick containing 10% Phosphorus, which is ideal for this purpose. This will address all three causes of Pica, allowing the cow to produce extra saliva, and in turn, counteract rumen acidosis at some level.

Having a target to turn cows into covers of 1,400 kg DM/ha will significantly decrease the risk of ruminal acidosis, often coupled with a long fibre offering at the feed barrier (baled silage, high-quality hay/straw).

Need help or advice?

For further information, please contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor.