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#NUTRITION FOCUS
WINTER MEETINGThank you to everyone who attended the winter meeting last month. I think there were some important messages which are worth repeating: · Treat and diagnose at risk cows earlyto maximise reproductive efficiency · Consider a regular routine vet visit weekly or fortnightly to treat and check at risk cows · Remember the changes to induction laws (check website for details) · Talk to the vets about selecting cows most appropriate for subclinical mastitis treatment · Talk to the vets about our calf rearing health planner AT RISK COWS: A brief reminder on what at risk cows are—those cows most likely to get endometritis (a uterine infection) and fail to get in calf as a result. These cows include those who have: - Retained membranes - Twins - Milk Fever - Assisted calvings - Dead Calves - Induced cows - Aborted cows - Routine Visits Regular vet visits through spring and mating provide a good opportunity to clear up infections in at risk cows (see above) EARLY leading to improved reproductive performance. Those at the meeting will have seen compelling evidence for this. All you need is to identify at risk cows and draft them weekly or fortnightly for us. Use tail tape to mark them-the wide type is best available at the vet clinic-it doesn’t cut in to the tail. Also record numbers on a laminated whiteboard system-these are available at the clinic. Andrew Millar who spoke at the meeting has this to add: Detect dirty cows earlyLast week I had the fortune to be invited to speak at the RSC’s Winter Farmer’s Meeting. It was an enjoyable evening for all who braved a chilly night, good lively discussion was had. The topic of my talk was endometritis – an infection of the uterus. Cows with endometritis are often called “dirty” cows and are a major cause of poor reproductive performance. They can take up to 4 weeks longer to get in calf and have empty rates 10 to 30% higher than clean cows. All cows have bacteria in their uterus after calving, but 10 – 20% progress to having endometritisbecause they are unable to clear this bacterial infection naturally. Endometritis affects the ability of cows to cycle and conceive. Some cows are more at risk of having endometritis than others – these cows are easy to identify as they have complications during pregnancy or calving. However, many cows with endometritis don’t have these risk factors and show few signs. So, while it’s important to pay close attention to the ‘at risk’ cows, it is recommended to examine the rest of the herd with the MetricheckTM device, any pus on Metricheck exam indicates infection and the need to treat. Recent research shows the earlier this examination is done, the better. If we delay investigation, we miss the opportunity to diagnose and provide benefit to a number of cows. This same research also demonstrated that treatment of endometritis prior to 28 days post calving gives a better result that treatment later on. After calving and prior to mating, we can do a few simple things to minimise the effect of endometritis in your herd. We recommend the following 3 steps: STEP 1 Identify and Record all At Risk cows that have the following complications around calving. Abnormal calving (e.g. assisted, slips, inductions, dead calves, twins, calving paralysis). Retained membranes (cleanings). Vaginal discharge. Metabolic diseases (e.g. milk fever). The clinic will be able to supply you with laminated shed sheets that will help with this. STEP 2 Get all At Risk cows examined by your vet. The RSC are offering a routine spring visits – this is an excellent opportunity to ensure these high risk cows are fit for mating. Treating any At Risk cows with signs of infection with Metricure®is highly effective. This is best done 14 – 28 days after calving, and at least 35 days before mating. STEP 3 Metricheck the herd, and treat any cow with pus. This is quick and can be completed during milking, ideally cows should be examined 14 – 28 day post calving, but if only one visit is planned it should be at least 35 days before mating. Dirty cows can cost you, with reduced cycling or conception leading to fewer days in milk and a higher empty rate. The latest research shows the best approach is to get onto checking and treating them early. If you have any enquiries regarding getting your herd into the best shape for the next mating, contact the team at the Rural Service CentreVet Clinic. I’d like to thank the Rural Service Centre for the invitation and those who attended for making it an enjoyable evening – and also Alex for the entertaining rounds of ‘hang-man’ at the start of the evening! NUTRITION FOCUSThere can be little doubt or debate about the fact that nutrition of cows in late pregnancy and early lactation has a major impact on season production and reproduction. It is also true that nationally and locally has seen a significant drop off in reproductive success in dairy herds of late and in general cow condition seem to be declining. We had a condition scoring day with Dairy NZ in June which highlighted just how subjective condition scoring is. Remember we are on hand to offer an opinion. Energy deficiency is the most common nutritional problem encountered and usually this is entirely due to below optimum dry matter intake. Judicious use of supplements in predominantly grass systems can offset the worst effects of energy deficiency at strategic times of the year, particularly at the start of the second round -a problem that will be familiar to most. It is critical that cows maintain dry matter intakes during this period and feeding supplements will allow the residuals to be managed properly without compromising intake. In the spring the choice of supplement is important. Remember protein intake will be high in grass while ME maybe low . Choosing a supplement with rapid rumen energy available will be of most benefit. Molasses and maize silage are good examples of this type of high energy feed. Straight Palm kernel is often less well suited to the spring and comes into its own more in the summer. This year a range of products will be available through RSC for lactating cows and young stock that contain different mixes of molasses, palm kernel and condensed distillers syrup. Please talk to us if you are interested in any of these products—a complete price list available soon. |