Each winter presents a different set of challenges for our dairy herd, particularly during the months after housing. Consider some of this season's challenges below and some suggested solutions by some of our specialist dairy team.
Louse populations are highest in cattle kept indoors during the winter and severe infestations can lead to the disruption of feeding patterns, self-inflicted trauma and reduced weight gain. It is important to consider lice control at housing to prevent welfare issues and production losses.
Conversations about mental health can be difficult to approach, but charities like the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) can provide a range of support to farming people who take the first step and reach out.
In the latest episode of the Wynnstay Agri-Hub podcast, I was joined by RABI’s chief executive, Alicia Chivers, who shared the importance of normalising conversations about wellbeing amongst farmers to help prevent them reaching crisis point.
We all know the importance of quality colostrum, but it is easy to overlook the importance of dry cows and dry cow management when it comes to maximising colostrum quality.
With the dairy industry increasing the use of sexed semen, and research indicating there may be environmental benefits to crossbred calves, rearing dairy-bred beef calves can be an attractive option.
Wynnstay’s dedicated Hardware Team specialise in providing advice and solutions on new and existing dairy setups as well as having experience in beef, sheep, and arable projects.
It is important to provide the correct cow environment for the health and the progression of a herd. Suitable dairy housing is known to improve milk production and quality, reproductive efficiency as well as the overall health and longevity of the herd, which results in the economic return to the dairy. Cows that are comfortable have less stress, eat more and lie for longer, and in turn produce more milk and suffer less from lameness and other associated problems. It has been proven that there is a strong correlation between standing times of cattle and the incidence of lameness.
Quantifying the level of mycotoxin contamination in your feeds is always difficult, as there are >400 different species of mycotoxins, all with varying levels of toxicity, and they may not be in every part of the silage clamp or TMR that we sample! Generally speaking, any plant with a flowering head (such as maize or wheat) could have developed fungi in the field, under stress conditions such as drought or wet weather, which produce the ‘in field’ mycotoxins on the plant. When harvested, the mycotoxins remain in the silage, and in some cases, further mould/fungi growth in the clamp can lead to more ‘storage’ mycotoxin production.
Over the past few years, livestock agriculture has been under increasing scrutiny due to its perceived ethical and environmental impact. Dairy production is at the forefront and seen by campaigners and activists as a polluting industry and emitter of huge greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Most of their theories and preaching is totally inaccurate and does not only cause a financial impact on our potential markets, but a huge psychological impact on our industry; British dairy farmers produce a wholesome and nutritious product only to be branded in a negative light by the media.
In advance of housing cattle this winter pay close attention your cows’ mobility. Over the summer cow tracks can wear claws unevenly, small stones and pebbles can become embedded into the sole and as grass values decline in late summer body condition can follow. This in turn can lead to fat loss in the digital cushion which can increase the likelihood of developing a solar ulcer.
Now is the time to consider parasite control for animals that will be housed over the winter period. In conjunction with your RAMA or vet, you need to work out what parasites you need to treat, which products to use, and when to administer them.
