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Better dry cow nutrition to improve milk profits

Each stage of the dairy cow cycle affects the others. For example, over feeding stale cows is costly and is likely to cause numerous problems through the dry period and into the next lactation.

The close-up dry cow period is an essential three weeks of preparation for the milking cow. Here we look at six key areas of close-up feeding that significantly affect the performance of the cows in lactation.

Control energy intake

Too much or too little energy will adversely affect milk production. Not enough will cause too much body fat mobilisation, ultimately causing a fatty liver which will reduce milk production.

Too much causes poor feed intakes after calving, resulting in too much fat mobilisation, fatty liver and poor lactation performance.

A mature Holstein Friesian cow with a body condition score of 3 to 3.5 should consume around 12kg dry matter per day, 2.6kg of which should be a good quality concentrate specifically formulated for close-up cows.

This can either be straights or blends, plus the appropriate mineral from our TDC range, or a compound such as TransLINK 3000.

Forages should be high quality but combined to achieve mixes of lower energy concentration with feeds like wholecrop, straw and maize silage. Grass silage can be used but must be analysed for mineral content to avoid milk fever after calving.

Control calcium metabolism

Controlling the calcium dynamics of the close-up cows dramatically reduces the risk of milk fever, an extremely costly disease.

About 50%, of second to sixth lactation cows, are thought to suffer with the subclinical condition, costing an estimated £50 per cow in lost milk production. Milk fever also opens the door to other serious conditions like displaced abomasum, retained placenta and ketosis.

Formulating a ration with the correct balance of sodium, potassium, chloride and sulphur is essential to reduce the risk of milk fever.

Include appropriate specialist dry cow minerals, like TDC 600 or specifically formulated close-up dry cow blends and compounds like TransLINK 4000, in the diet. The choice of product will depend on the dietary circumstances on farm.

Right level of protein

During the last three weeks of the dry period the growing calf and placenta need a lot of protein. The close-up ration should contain between 12 and 15% protein in the dry matter, a combination of rumen available and rumen bypass material.

Because intakes of concentrate feeds need to be low to avoid over feeding, the protein concentration in the supplement needs to be high. For wholecrop, straw and maize silage-based rations it needs to be 25 to 30%. Including a suitable grass silage may reduce it to 20 to 25%.

 

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