Rearing heifers are a sizeable investment to a dairy enterprise, with rearing costs not being recouped until the cow reaches their second lactation. Studies carried out by AHDB show that on average 17% of milking heifers exit the herd before their second lactation (AHDB, 2023).
The past eighteen months in the dairy sector have been a rollercoaster, featuring unprecedented volatility in milk prices and significant fluctuations in the costs of feed, fuel, and fertiliser.
In an ever-evolving dairy sector, understanding the latest market trends and strategies is paramount.
In season three, episode eight of the Wynnstay Agri-Hub podcast, agricultural journalist, market analyst and business advisor Chris Walkland, gives insight into the issues and opportunities shaping the dairy industry today.
The basic requirements of a calf can be condensed into seven key words. These combine to form the points on the YoungStock Signals diamond. All six points need to be satisfied in order to achieve optimum health, welfare and production.
Manipulating photoperiods and light for the milking cows is a fairly well researched and discussed topic. However, often we forget to consider the benefits this could have for dry cows.
Some worm species can cause significant damage when the larvae emerge in the spring (Type II Ostertagiasis). Therefore, it is crucial to treat the housing with a solution that will eradicate the worms' eggs.
This summer, there have been reports of lungworm infestations at high levels across the nation. Any sub-clinical lungworm that may be present will be eliminated with treatment at housing.
In order to give the animals' lungs a chance to recuperate, it's crucial to treat them with a proper wormer before housing if they are displaying clinical lungworm symptoms. There is a greater danger of the animals acquiring pneumonia at housing if the lungs have been harmed by lungworm.
Instead of postponing or providing no treatment at all, treating cattle for fluke at housing can aid in accelerating growth and lowering stress levels in the animals. Because a cow's liver is big and can support a heavier fluke burden, abrupt deaths are uncommon in cattle. Subclinical illness brought on by a fluke, however, is possible and can be expensive due to the influence it can have on lowered weight gain.
Improving the lifetime yield of a cow is a top priority in dairy businesses as we continue to improve efficiencies. This can be impacted from the moment a newborn heifer calf arrives, to when the animal enters the parlour at the start of its first lactation.
While there are lots of areas to focus on to set a heifer up for a healthy and productive life in the herd, I’ve narrowed it down to my top three areas to prioritise pre-calving.
The UK is experiencing more frequent heatwaves each summer, with temperatures reaching the highs of 30°C in the day and evening in-shed temperatures staying above 20°C, as a result cows will struggle and performance and fertility may be effected.
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.
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.
