Prioritising Animal Health During Turnout
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- 5 Mar 2025
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A successful turnout requires careful preparation to prevent health issues and ensure animal well-being. A gradual transition from winter feed to lush pasture is essential, allowing the rumen to adapt and prevent digestive upset.
Mineral supplementation, particularly magnesium, is crucial during the spring grazing period amongst other seasons to avoid deficiencies like grass tetany, also referred to as grass staggers. Well-maintained pastures with adequate grass and water, coupled with close health monitoring, contribute to a smooth turnout, minimising stress and maximising health and productivity.
Prepare the Field
Prior to moving cattle to a field, we recommend doing an initial walk-around to identify any potential risks such as damaged or weak fencing and uneven ground. There are a number of fencing solutions available at Wynnstay, please visit or contact your nearest store for more information.
Clean Water Supply
Water troughs, if not regularly inspected and cleaned, can become breeding grounds for pathogens and harmful substances. We recommend taking a closer inspection of water sources to make sure that they are working correctly. Poaching can be an issue at turn-out if there isn't a sufficient number of troughs for the number of cows, be sure to have enough to cover the herd.
Grass Checks
A thorough assessment of the pasture's condition is paramount. This includes evaluating the grass growth and the soil structure. Particular attention should be paid to identifying areas that are waterlogged or exhibit signs of overgrazing.
Waterlogged areas present several potential hazards:
- Increased risk of slippage and injury.
- Potential for hoof damage due to prolonged exposure to excessively moist conditions.
- Impaired grass growth and potential for root decay, leading to reduced forage availability
Overgrazed areas also present concerns:
- Development of bare patches, hindering future grass regeneration.
- Weakened grass growth, resulting in diminished nutritional value.
- Insufficient forage availability, potentially leading to inadequate dietary intake for the herd.
Therefore, a comprehensive inspection of the pasture is necessary to mitigate these risks and ensure a safe and productive environment for the dairy cows.
Check for poisonous plants
Certain plants in the UK can be harmful to cows. Here's a list of some to be aware of:
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Diet and Nutrition
As dairy cows transition to fresh spring pasture, gradual introduction is required to prevent digestive disorders and ensure optimal rumen health. Limiting initial grazing periods and increasing exposure over 2-3 weeks enables the rumen microbes to adapt to the diet change.
Spring grass is highly digestible but presents challenges due to its low fibre content which reduces cudding and saliva production, decreasing the rumens natural buffering capacity and subsequent pH. Fresh grass is also high in rapidly fermentable carbohydrates (RFCs) which reduce rumen pH through acidic VFA production. Supplementing with a rumen buffer(phix-up) can help stabilise rumen pH for the prevention of SARA and enhance digestion.
Lush grass has a high oil content which coats the fibre particles and reduces the efficiency of fibre digestion. Incorporating a yeast additive can improve fibre digestion and enhance rumen stability.
Grass alone does not satisfy the nutritional requirements of lactating dairy cattle. Hypomagnesemia, commonly known as grass staggers, occurs when cows are unable to absorb sufficient magnesium (Mg) from fresh grass.
Spring pasture contains a high potassium concentration which acts as an antagonist with Mg, reducing its uptake in the plant and digestive system. Mg is an essential mineral for the functioning of the nervous system and enzymatic reactions but cannot be stored in large quantities in the body. Providing supplementary Mg via supplementary feed or licks can maintain blood Mg concentration. Phix-up is a suitable option for rumen buffering and Mg supply due to its high Mg bioavailability. Additionally, adequate salt intake is required for enhanced magnesium absorption therefore rock salt should be available at all times.
High concentrations of rumen degradable protein (RDP) in spring grass consequently elevates ammonia levels in the rumen, converting Mg into its insoluble form, preventing its absorption. Older, high-yielding, and early lactation cattle are more susceptible to grass staggers and should therefore be monitored closely.
Disease Prevention
Following winter housing, there is an increased susceptibility to parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes (worms) upon turnout to pasture. This heightened risk stems from several factors.
Firstly, pasture contamination with infective larval stages of these parasites occurs through fecal deposition from previously infected animals. Secondly, the increased grazing activity associated with turnout leads to a greater intake of these larvae. Thirdly, the rapid growth of spring pasture creates a microclimate that favors larval survival.
Another concern is flies. Flies can induce considerable stress and discomfort through biting and persistent irritation. This can lead to decreased feed intake and reduced milk production in dairy cows.
A strategic animal health strategy is crucial for mitigating risks. We recommend speaking to your local rep or one of our SQPs at your local Wynnstay store to determine the most appropriate product and administration protocol, considering factors such as parasite prevalence, animal age, and pasture management practices. This ensures effective parasite control and safeguards the health and productivity of the livestock.
Monitor Animal Health Before & After Turnout
Keeping a close eye on your herd throughout the transition to turn-out and duration of the grazing period will help to improve overall health and productivity.
Monitor what the cow is communicating:
- Cudding rates
- Muck consistency
- Body condition
Body Condition Score
Cows that are losing condition can be associated with limited feed intake and potential health issues including poor rumen function or metabolic disorders.
- Score cows regularly
- Check condition before turnout – aim for a BCS around 3.0
- Observe for any sudden reductions in BCS - more than 0.5 unit loss
- Supplement where necessary – balance lush spring grass with buffer feeds to optimise ration composition or in periods of limited grass growth.
Hoof Care Matters
Turnout often results in cows walking on uneven and wet ground, ensuring that tracks are properly maintained, even, wide enough and contain no sharp turns will reduce incidences of physical and infectious lameness in the herd. Subsequent lameness cases will result in reduced grass utilisation, dry matter intake, and yield.
Preparing Livestock for a Smooth Turnout
A smooth transition from housing to pasture is important to prevent reductions in the health and performance of your herd, by minimising the risk of metabolic disease, poor rumen health, lameness, and other associated factors, through careful planning and management at turnout.
At Wynnstay, we have everything you need to ensure a successful grazing season, from high-quality feeds and minerals to fencing, animal health products, and expert advice.
