Dairy notes December 2007
Nutrition
It is important for you to check silage intake and dry-matter at least once per month to ensure that cows are actually eating what you planned to feed them. Rations are prepared assuming cows will eat so many kilograms of silage of a certain dry-matter content (DM). The weight of silage being eaten can be checked using the scales on the feeder wagon or by weighing blocks of silage. However checking the DM of the silage is likely to be more important.
As you move up the silo it is likely that the silage will be from fields which were not wilted for as long as the last grass ensiled - this year that could mean a large difference in DM. After several days rain, the DM of silage in an open silo could have dropped by 4-5 percent. The difference between feeding 45KGs of a 20 percent DM 11.0 MW silage and 45 KGs of a 25 percent DM silage of similar energy content is almost 25 Mega-joules of energy. This equates to 2 KGs of meal or 0.9 KGs of weight loss or 5 litres of milk production - it will pay to check DM with another analysis.
Forage Maize
This year has seen a large expansion (+18 percent) in the area of forage maize grown in N. Ireland, so for many producers this is likely to be their first winter feeding this forage. Remember maize has a very different protein content and mineral profile to grass silage so rations will have to be adjusted once you start feeding this forage. Once you have analysis results, contact your nutritionist to plan the necessary changes in ration formulation.
Fertility Management
Slippage in calving pattern is a major problem on farm. Results from Fertility Benchmarking Online show that heat detection is a major problem with an average of only 64 percent of cows served within 21 days of being eligible for service. Shorter heat periods, cows on heat during the night, pressure on time to devote to heat detection are all contributing factors. What can be done to aid heat detection
- Motion monitors - these devices are attached to the cow’s leg (pedometer) or in neck transponder to record activity such as walking or head movements. Increases activity from her normal pattern will indicate that the cow is in heat.
- Tail painting, pressure strips (for example, Kamar or bovine beacons which are glued on to the tail head) or electronic mount detectors, all indicate if the cow has been mounted and may have been on heat.
Winter Fair 2007 Thurs. 13 December
Visit the DARD stand to meet CAFRE Development Advisers and Technologists.
- Teaser bull - vasectomised bulls have proven useful. They should be fitted with a chin ball marker again to help identify cows which may have been on heat. However remember that teasers have all the aggression of a fertile bull so treat him accordingly.
- For producers planning new housing facilities consider provision of a spacious loafing area with a non-slip floor to encourage mounting activity. If a bull is to be used he should be housed close to this area.