Last year’s relatively mild and dry autumn allowed many livestock farmers a welcome extension of the grazing season, which reduced some pressure on forage stocks following the summer drought conditions. Despite the extended grazing period, some farms have been rationing silage stocks this winter by supplementing diets with lower quality forages such as straw, whilst others have continued with their standard winter diets with one eye on spring.
The transition period for a dairy cow is generally from 3 weeks before calving to 3 weeks post-partum. This period is extremely challenging for dairy cows, so managing this time correctly is vital to achieving optimum cow health and is heavily linked to the overall success of the farm. The successful management of the transition period can determine, future lactations, milk production and quality, calving ease, and longevity in the herd.
Inclusion of maize in the dairy ration has long been favoured by many dairy farmers and with the current costs of other crops and inputs, 2022 represents an even better opportunity for maize.
One of the most effective ways to prevent grass tetany in dairy cows is magnesium supplementation during the risk period. Choosing the supplementation source is quite challenging in practice, magnesium oxide being commonly used to prevent Mg deficiency, but the solubility and therefore the bioavailability varies greatly in practice (1).
There are no silver bullets in farming. If there was a management practice that resembled one, then relentless attention to detail would have to be the closest option. When it comes to dairy farming and in particular transition cows than the 4 F’s are often cited as the nearest thing (Forage, Feet, Feed, Facilities) although choline nutrition could be considered a close second.
Low magnesium status and sub-optimal rumen pH can be no stranger at spring turn out. At Wynnstay we believe the dual functionality of pHix-up, can be harnessed to both safeguard rumen health and enhance magnesium supply at grass.
Grazing in the spring often leads to a loss of production in dairy cows. Grass tetany may be the cause. The disease causes a decrease in appetite, milk production and milk fat content. The cause: a lack of magnesium, often associated with a drop in ruminal pH.
Home grown feed is the cheapest feed available to farmers. Hardly a revelation but as farm inputs continue to rise the drive for milk from forage becomes a more crucial metric. Every additional litre from forage could be worth up to 20p per cow per day, or £600 per month for every 100 cows in the herd.
Dry matter – Is grass providing enough dry matter intake to support the energy requirement for milk production and getting cows back in calf?
Protein – Grass is high in rapidly degradable protein; this needs to be utilised by the rumen microbes in order for them to produce microbial protein. Poorly utilised protein can have a negative impact on fertility and limit milk yield.
Rapidly fermentable carbohydrates – Early season grass is high in sugar (and digestible fibre), this can be an issue for rumen health. A consequence of this can be milk fat depression and a reduction in milk value. It is important to understand the nutrient content of grass. Fresh grass analysis throughout the grazing period will provide useful information about the points above.
