Preparing Dairy Cows for the Dry Period as Winter Approaches
Source: DairyNews.today
With unusually mild weather continuing into November, many dairy cows remain on pasture longer than usual, underscoring the need for farmers to manage the transition from grass to winter housing with a focus on proper nutrition.
As cows near the end of lactation, preparing them for the upcoming dry period is crucial. This involves evaluating feed stocks and body condition to ensure optimal health and productivity in the next lactation.
Fodder Planning and Body Condition Scoring
Farmers should begin by reassessing their fodder budget before opening silage pits to confirm adequate feed supplies for the winter months. Conducting a body condition score (BCS) assessment several weeks before drying-off helps identify cows needing extra attention. Cows with a BCS below 2.75 may need to be dried off early to build condition, while first-lactation cows scheduled to calve in February should also be considered for early drying. The aim is to have cows calve at a BCS of 3 or higher, supporting health and future productivity.
Importance of Silage Quality
High-quality silage is essential for efficient feed costs and successful winter conditioning. Farmers are encouraged to have their silage tested to assess dry matter digestibility (DMD) and inform a precise feed plan based on dry matter intake (DMI). Cows calving later in the season or with heavier body weights should be grouped and provided with adequate, but not excessive, feed if silage exceeds 70% DMD. Over-conditioned cows are at risk for issues such as milk fever and other metabolic disorders come spring.
Poor-quality silage necessitates more supplementary feeding to achieve a target BCS, increasing winter feed costs. Knowing silage quality helps establish a feed strategy that ensures cows are in ideal condition at calving, reducing the need for costly supplementation.
Introducing Essential Minerals
Mineral supplementation is recommended at least six weeks before the expected start of calving, aligning with the final stages of drying-off for many herds. Essential minerals such as copper, iodine, selenium, and zinc are vital for cow and calf health. Vitamin D and magnesium, in particular, are crucial for calcium mobilization, reducing the risk of milk fever. Silage generally provides about 0.15% magnesium per kilogram of dry matter (DM), and a pre-calving mineral blend with 20-25% magnesium at 120g per day is typically recommended.
Farmers should avoid high-phosphorus pre-calving feeds like palm kernel unless the diet is low in phosphorus, such as fodder beet-based diets. Ensuring cows receive at least 12,000 units of vitamin D per 100g of diet, along with trace minerals including copper, zinc, selenium, manganese, iodine, and cobalt, helps support health during the critical pre-calving period.
If milk fever has been an issue on the farm in recent years, testing dry cow silage for mineral content can help mitigate risks associated with high-potassium silage. By focusing on feed quality, body condition, and mineral needs, farmers can better prepare their herds for a healthy transition through the dry period and into the next lactation.
Fodder Planning and Body Condition Scoring
Farmers should begin by reassessing their fodder budget before opening silage pits to confirm adequate feed supplies for the winter months. Conducting a body condition score (BCS) assessment several weeks before drying-off helps identify cows needing extra attention. Cows with a BCS below 2.75 may need to be dried off early to build condition, while first-lactation cows scheduled to calve in February should also be considered for early drying. The aim is to have cows calve at a BCS of 3 or higher, supporting health and future productivity.
Importance of Silage Quality
High-quality silage is essential for efficient feed costs and successful winter conditioning. Farmers are encouraged to have their silage tested to assess dry matter digestibility (DMD) and inform a precise feed plan based on dry matter intake (DMI). Cows calving later in the season or with heavier body weights should be grouped and provided with adequate, but not excessive, feed if silage exceeds 70% DMD. Over-conditioned cows are at risk for issues such as milk fever and other metabolic disorders come spring.
Poor-quality silage necessitates more supplementary feeding to achieve a target BCS, increasing winter feed costs. Knowing silage quality helps establish a feed strategy that ensures cows are in ideal condition at calving, reducing the need for costly supplementation.
Introducing Essential Minerals
Mineral supplementation is recommended at least six weeks before the expected start of calving, aligning with the final stages of drying-off for many herds. Essential minerals such as copper, iodine, selenium, and zinc are vital for cow and calf health. Vitamin D and magnesium, in particular, are crucial for calcium mobilization, reducing the risk of milk fever. Silage generally provides about 0.15% magnesium per kilogram of dry matter (DM), and a pre-calving mineral blend with 20-25% magnesium at 120g per day is typically recommended.
Farmers should avoid high-phosphorus pre-calving feeds like palm kernel unless the diet is low in phosphorus, such as fodder beet-based diets. Ensuring cows receive at least 12,000 units of vitamin D per 100g of diet, along with trace minerals including copper, zinc, selenium, manganese, iodine, and cobalt, helps support health during the critical pre-calving period.
If milk fever has been an issue on the farm in recent years, testing dry cow silage for mineral content can help mitigate risks associated with high-potassium silage. By focusing on feed quality, body condition, and mineral needs, farmers can better prepare their herds for a healthy transition through the dry period and into the next lactation.
