EFFICIENT milk production is the economic driver in the dairy herd and the primary aim is to optimise milk production per cow per year.
Most dairy cows will drop in production by 0.3% per day after peak production. The birth of a calf is essential for the onset of lactation and evidence shows the better the calving interval is, the more milk the cow will produce.
The transition period (three weeks before to three weeks after calving), although short, is when most metabolic and infectious diseases occur during the dairy production cycle. These diseases are a result of the cow failing to adapt to increased energy and calcium demand required for lactation, as well as a depressed immune system at this time.
A focus of any transition cow management program must be to ensure that peripartum disease (both clinical as subclinical) is minimised, therefore maximising the likelihood of an early return to oestrus and a successful pregnancy outcome.
Because of the large gap between energy demands and supply post-calivng, most cows mobilise a large amount of fat during the first two to four months of lactation and most especially during the first 10-20 days after calving.
Excessive body condition loss can lead to ketosis and fatty liver.
It has been shown that a more severe negative energy balance not only delays a cow starting to cycle again, but also reduces the quality of her eggs and delays the recovery of her uterus after calving.
This manifests itself in a delayed time of first AI and lower six and 12-week submission and pregnancy rates.
Therefore, an aim of transition cow management must be to minimise the extent and duration of early lactation negative energy balance.
St Boniface Vets have two FREE evening meetings planned:-
28th March, near Lifton
5th April, near Crediton
The following will be discussed:-
• Success rates of fertility treatments on their clients farms
• The effects of BCS loss and negative energy balance on fertility
• Tips for managing your cows to make them come bulling well and hold
• How to deal with cows at risk of poor fertility
Call the practice on on 01363 772860 to reserve your place.
