A Guide to the Dry Period.docx

1、A Guide to the Dry PeriodA Guide to the Dry PeriodThere has been a lot of talk lately on the transition period, four weeks prior to and after calving. This is one of the most important periods of the year, but it is easy to manage if you have confidence is your management ability and implement some

2、simple strategies.Traditionally much of the advice in this area has been based on research with animals that are fed total mixed rations but this has since been proven to be inappropriate for cows on a forage based diet. Lead feeding or steaming cows with concentrates can cause a reduction in intake

3、 (rather than an increase) and lead to the need to feed even higher energy dense feeds. This is a vicious circle not known to exist until recent research was carried out using animals fed pasture based diets.This means that unless you intend to feed high levels of grain immediately after calving lea

4、d feeding is of little benefit. It should be our intention to have enough pasture on the farm at calving, and to employ appropriate grazing strategies to negate the feeding of concentrates throughout spring.The majority of problems typically associated with the transition period can be avoided by en

5、suring that intake is matched to the cows biological state. Dry matter intake is an excellent measure of the package of nutrients that the cow will receive over this period because we know that pasture will be: High in protein High in energy High in fibre Low in calcium Low in MagnesiumAs a result w

6、e can feed accordingly. Cows will be able to eat enough pasture (if it is made available to them) through this period to meet all their requirements with the exception of magnesium and calcium. As a result it is prudent to provide this to the cows as a supplement. The cheapest way to do this is to u

7、se magnesium oxide (Causemag) for three weeks prior to calving and magnesium oxide and limestone for 3 weeks post calving.A commitment to feed cows at a higher level than in past years may require different strategies to ensure that the target pasture cover at calving is still achieved. Do a feed bu

8、dget and calculate whether there is going to be a shortfall in feed at calving. The cheapest way to rectify this, regardless of the strategy used, is to act quickly as all feeds, and the response to applied nitrogen will reduce between now and calving. Some strategies that might help are:1.Cull all

9、cows not required for next season2.Cull any young stock not required3.Sell non-dairy stock4.Sell male breeding stock5.Apply nitrogen6.Agist some/all of the herd off the milking area7.Winter off young stock8.Purchase hay and silage.The following are guidelines only for mineral supplementation. Consul

10、t your veterinarian if you intend to use higher rates.Magnesium oxide10-20 g/cow/day (fed direct to the cow)50-60 g/cow/day (dusted on forage)Limestone 150-200 g/cow/day (dusted on forage)Remember it is a false economy to rob production from next season. You will pay for it with interest. It is impo

11、rtant to do a feed budget to determine dry-off date and to look after the cows throughout the dry period. If you do this you should have a hassle free calving and early spring period.Good Milking Routines Provide Cost-Free RewardsWhen milk prices are lower you need to minimise demand on cash flow wh

12、ile reducing the potential for longer-term problems.On-going mastitis control is essential because an increased number of mastitis infections now, can lead to significant losses in the next two to three lactations. It doesnt cost anything to assess and optimise milking routines.The time cows spend a

13、ttached to milking machines is directly related to the risk of teat damage and mastitis. The aim is to take cups off earlier, without under-milking.The timing of cups-off is often influenced by the cups-on process. When cups are attached too early, before the teats are plump with milk, teatcups craw

14、l up teats obstructing the passage of milk from the udder to the teat. Cows then take longer to milk. Its common to both incompletely milk and over-milk the same cows!One way to check the efficiency of your milking routine is to measure the amount of milk left in the udder at the end of milking (the

15、 strippings). Hand-strip 25 cows at the end of milking. If more than 20 of the 100 quarters have strip yields of about 100 mL or more you have a problem that warrants further investigation.Machine stripping (putting a weight on the cluster at the end of milking) should not be routinely used to colle

16、ct milk remaining in the udder. It causes more problems by unbalancing the cluster, increasing cup slippage and increasing the risk of mastitis.For more information refer to the Countdown Downunder national mastitis and cell count control programs Farm guidelines for mastitis control.Countdown Downunder Farmer Short Courses also provide an opportunity