Focus on early spring calving As the spring calving season approaches, dairy farmers should turn their attention to dry cow nutrition to ensure that animals enjoy a smooth transition from pre-calving into the subsequent lactation. Dry cow nutrition is the key to a successful transition and will promote a trouble-free calving.

A high magnesium, zero calcium and high vitamin E concentrate feed should be introduced three weeks prior to calving to help maintain body condition throughout the dry period and provide sufficient nutrients to grow a healthy calf. Preparing the rumen and udder at this stage will pay dividends when the cow comes into lactation and will help reduce cell counts later.

It is also vitally important to beware of low levels of magnesium in grass during the early months of lactation, as magnesium is linked to calcium function and milk fever. Magnesium is also needed during the post-calving period to prevent staggers. Intake levels can be increased by adding magnesium chloride flakes to drinking water, or by introducing a concentrated feed that contains magnesium and other essential minerals.

Lactating cow diet
Lactating cows should be fed a ration of high quality silage followed by fresh grass when it becomes available. A two-stage concentrate feeding program is recommended. Silage should initially be supplemented with high energy, 18% protein dairy nuts. Then, as grazing commences, a lower, 13-14% crude protein, high bypass protein (UDP) dairy nut with a good balance of fermentable starch and digestible fibre sources should be included. Both products should contain a high level of trace elements and the correct balance of macro minerals to support heavy milk yields.

Calf health and nutrition
Plenty of good quality colostrum is the key to calf health and survival. Colostrum not only provides antibodies to prevent disease but is also an important source of energy to the newborn calf during cold weather. Each calf should receive at least three litres of colostrum in two feeds during the first six hours after birth, followed by an additional two litres in the next six hours. This should then be followed by a further two litres in the following 12 hours. The calf should ideally continue on colostrum for a total of four days. If the calf has not taken the required amount, a stomach tube should be used to ensure that each individual animal receives the required volume of colostrum.

From five days onwards, a replacement milk powder, such as one of Wynnstay’s Wynngold range, can be introduced and fed twice per day for the first seven days. Following this, a milk powder ration can be fed either twice or once a day, or through an automatic calf feeding machine. A minimum of 500g of powder per day is recommended to maintain good growth rates, but those rearing heifers may wish to feed at higher levels to safeguard first lactation milk yields from the resultant milking heifers.

Cost effective calf weaning
Calves can be weaned from as early as five weeks onwards according to bodyweight and condition. Before weaning begins they should be consuming at least 1kg/day of starter pellets for three consecutive days. Until then a good quality milk replacer with enhanced levels of vitamins should be fed. The additional minerals and vitamins in Wynnstay milk powders help the calf to cope with stress and promote a healthy immune system. Typically, a good quality milk powder will cost in the region of 65 pence/calf/day. At this price, it is therefore much more economical to use a milk powder than it is to feed whole milk at approximately 80p for four litres.

During the early stages of calf growth, rearers should also consider the importance of early rumen development. Unless the rumen is adequately developed, calves will not be ready to wean and will suffer from reduced growth rates and poor performance later in life. Specialised calf starters and weaning pellets, such as ‘Start n Wean’, are an ideal way of promoting rumen development and should be fed ad lib until calves are 10 weeks old or turned out. At this stage a 16% protein rearing nut can be introduced to compliment spring grazing.

For further details please contact:

Steve Brown, Ruminant Feeds Product Manager
Tel: 01691 828512

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