A poor start to a calf’s life which impacts growth rates can significantly affect future performance in the herd. Wynnstay’s Account Manager for Biosecurity and Hardware, Richard Wild, says a key factor in poor growth rates, and subsequent milking and DLWG performance, is housing and ventilation.
It is estimated that 10% of UK farms already use robotic milking, but they also constitute 35% of all new milking systems being purchased. In Holland 40% of dairy farms are automated, with some Scandinavian countries as high as 50%. The number of cows milked in robots is expected to more than double in the next 5 years.
Within the Wynnstay Slurry guide, we look at the 3 steps for treatment of a slurry lagoon.
Discover our guide on slurry treatment for channels leading to a solid cover tower. In our guide we work out the quanitity of treatment needed for your needs and what to do once this has been established.
Treating cattle for fluke at housing rather than delaying or offering no treatment at all can help improve growth rates and reduce the stress on cattle. A cow’s liver is large so they can tolerate a greater fluke burden, meaning sudden deaths won’t be seen in cattle.
The last few years have produced some challenging weather conditions for UK dairy farmers, with predictions suggesting extreme weather events may become more common place. With summer approaching, Wynnstay and QLF look at how molasses can help reduce your heat stress losses.
Signs of heat stress include panting more than 80 breaths per minute, reduced laying times and activity, with cows seeking shade. Dry Matter Intake (DMI) decreases, 68-78 DMI will drop 9.6% (Bouraoui et al) and decline in milk production.
Cows are often moved between groups in accordance with their management needs. During each move, the cow needs to re-establish her rank within the groups pecking order. The cows’ rank is associated with their age, body size and seniority of the cow i.e. a heifer in her first lactation will be of low rank.
