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.

With ever tightening profit margins, especially in the beef sector, the complex area of feed efficiency is and must continue to command close attention. In intensively fed animals there is a constant challenge to juggle the balance between optimising milk and meat output in the most economical way, while maintaining optimum rumen health at all times.

It is vital that the rumen environment is maintained in a healthy state to avoid the occurrence of acidosis. Acidosis occurs as a result of poor rumen health status and can present in two forms; clinical and sub clinical. The second form mostly presents as Sub Acute Rumen Acidosis (SARA). SARA is the main dietary performance constraint of intensively fed animals.

SARA has three principal causes: 

• High intakes of starches, sugars and acidic feeds.
• Inadequate structural fibre in diet.
• Inability of rumen to adapt to a highly fermentable / low fibre diet.

Identifying Sub-Acute Rumen Acidosis (SARA) in your herd

The tell-tale signs of SARA are sometimes difficult to detect through visual observation however, symptoms include:

• Animals performing 5-10% below capacity.
• Bubbles on dung.
• Less than 80% of animals which are lying down observed chewing the cud.
• Mildly depressed demeanour.
• Increased lameness levels.
• Cows swishing their tails (due to passing acidic manure).

Rumen Buffer Feeding

Maintaining good rumen health can be achieved through the inclusion of adequate roughage in the animals’ diet, such as straw and through the addition of a suitable rumen buffer. Straw can act as an excellent buffer but must be limited due to its low nutritive value and space requirement in the rumen. This year in particular, straw quality in many cases is not of adequate feed quality for livestock and is no longer a cheap option.

Feeding of an appropriate rumen buffer will play a valuable role on all farms where there are intensively fed animals or low fibre diets. A high-quality rumen buffer will not only help avoid problems like acidosis but it will also improve feed efficiency, optimise the rumen environment and maximise the return from your winter ration.

Rumicare– why it’s the best option

Rumicare is a phased release buffer and is available as Rumicare Beef and Rumicare Dairy. It contains a unique blend of buffers that each have their own mode of action and different speeds of breakdown (phased release) within the rumen. The combination of ingredients maintains a more desirable pH within the rumen at critical times throughout each 24-hour period.

Rumicare works on two different fronts in the fight against SARA. It directly neutralises rumen pH through its alkaline properties, while the added yeast also acts as a natural buffer by enhancing rumen bacterial growth. This combination of buffers and yeast has long been shown to gel very well together.

Speaking with farmers that have used Rumicare in the past, livestock are in great form, displaying improved appetites, performance and producing more consistent manures. Rumicare also smoothens transition diets with less setbacks and less displaced abomasums. Another added bonus is that it provides a very good level of calcium and magnesium, which is particularly important for the lactating dairy cow in early lactation.

On farm support during COVID-19

In order to keep our customers and staff as safe as possible, our sales team and distributors we will be minimising the number of on farm consultations. We are however, as always, available for FREE delivery direct to farm and over the phone consultations. Contact your local Agritech sales rep/distributor to place your order or click here. 

For further advice or information on our Welmin Mineral Supplements range, click here.

The freshly calved cow is genetically programmed to produce high levels of milk, however, to ensure maximum performance, it is essential to implement a feeding and management strategy.

The first number of weeks before, and after calving, are the most critical periods in the production cycle of the modern dairy cow. The consequences of failing to feed freshly calved cows adequately during this period can be significant and can lead to costs such as lower production, slower returns to heat cyclicity, and subsequent poorer fertility. Lower peak yields will also mean a lower milk performance for the rest of the lactation.

To keep your freshly calved cows healthy and productive during their lactation, follow our step-by-step management guide below:

Key Areas to Monitor:

1. Body Condition Scores (BCS): Are your cows holding their pre-calving BCS? If your cows are losing condition in the weeks post calving, it must be addressed promptly by seeking professional advice.
2. Milk Yield: Are your cows milking to their potential? Lower yields will mean a lower milk performance for the rest of the lactation.
3. Milk Fat to Protein Ratio: The ratio of fat:protein is an excellent indicator of cow health and feed efficiency. The ideal butterfat:protein ratio is circa 1.27:1. Where the ratio goes above 1.5:1, strict attention should be paid to cow health as there is a strong possibility of ketosis in the affected animals. Where the ratio drops below 1.2:1, a possible link to rumen acidosis exists.
4. Dung Consistency: Dung that appears firm indicates that the cow’s diet may be too low in protein and too high in fibre. A loose and thin consistency suggests excess protein/carbohydrates or low fibre, which may possibly lead to acidosis.

Key Tips:

1. Maximise dry matter intake (DMI) through a well-balanced diet formulation and continuous assessment of rations fed to cows.
2. Supplement with adequate concentrates to allow your cows to perform in line with the forage they are currently consuming and not the amount they received in recent years when grass was a contributor to their diet.
3. Ensure that there is a minimum of 600-800 mm feed space per cow, along with clean drinking water and ample drinking points.
4. Introduce concentrates slowly over a five to ten-day period post-calving. Adding concentrates too quickly, in an attempt to provide energy is a recipe for Sub Acute Rumen Acidosis. Introducing a high quality rumen buffer such as Rumicare from Agritech will help counteract rumen and intestinal acidity and has the added benefit of providing much needed calcium, magnesium and sodium for the early lactating dairy cow.
5. Continue to analyse your cow’s BCS on a regular basis. It is vitally important to maintain adequate BCS to ensure that the cow quickly returns to cyclicity in advance of the breeding season.
6. Supplementation of post-calving minerals is a much-neglected area, as many dairy farmers assume there are enough minerals in the purchased concentrate. However, unless there are very high levels being fed, this is rarely the case. The post-calving diet needs to be carefully monitored to ensure that the cow receives adequate levels of macro and trace minerals at this important time. Take a look at our Welmin Mineral Range brochure here, which features a number of products suitable to help you get the most from your freshly calved cow.
7. Introduce grazed grass into the diet as soon as possible.

Our team are available to help you ensure maximum performance from your freshly calved cow. To find out more, contact your local Agritech distributor or click here.