Transition Cows Management

GETTING it right in the transition period (23 weeks pre and post calving), is critical for the reduction of metabolic disease, improved early lactation appetite, the control of condition loss, increased production and subsequent reproductive performance.

1) OAD milking in the Colostrum

period (and beyond) — OAD milking will positively alter the energy balance of the cow. Cows milked OAD are less likely to mobilise excessive condition –not only do they produce less milk, but they have higher dry matter intakes over the first 1014 days postcalving. Cows will be in better immune status and recover from metritis and mastitis faster. The egg development in the ovaries is of higher quality leading to better fertility. Ensure milk withholds are complied with as instructed.

Tip — Collect freshly calved cows from springers TAD and milk within 12 hrs of birth. The second milking should occur 1224hrs later — i.e. in the mornings. Cows should ideally stay on OAD until “the belly is wider than the udder”, indicating they are eating well. Based on cow collar data the average OAD milked cow takes 1014 days before dry matter intakes start to plateau — so this is our recommended OAD period. Poor condition heifers will benefit from remaining on OAD milking right up until early October. There will be little production loss if poor conditioned mature cows are milked OAD for the first 34 weeks of lactation. Overconditioned cows and poor condition cows will equally benefit.

A.M. — TAD cows milked first, then Colostrums, then new mums (calved overnight), then Reds.

P.M. — OAD cows milked first (early PM), then TAD, then new mums (calved during day).

2) Improve Calcium Status and

Supplementation — Providing cows with magnesium and calcium anionic salts as springers will reduce much of the milkfever risk, but also take away a lot of the subclinical issues that most cows experience on the first day of calving. Getting it right will reduce mastitis and increase DM intakes.

Tip — use transition mixes containing CaSO4, MagSO4, MagCl and CaCl, for approx. 1015 days precalving. Discuss quantities with your Prime Vet. Effective Readymade Transition Cow premixes (also containing trace minerals, Rumensin and Vit E) are available at ~70c/cow/ day, these can be ordered through the Vet Centre.

Providing additional Ca on the day of calving may further improve the results. This is best given to the cow by either a Calcium Bolus (which have become very popular as they are the most effective), or a starter drench, oral Calol (Bovaseal Pearls) or a Ca bag under the skin.

Tip — Give this at the first milking within 12 hrs of calving. Greatest benefits will be seen in cows of 56 years of age and greater.

3) Fibre to keep the rumen in top condition and reduce energy content of diet — Diets which are low in volume or fibre (e.g. FB) may result in the rumen muscles getting out of condition.

Tip — Feed up to 5kg of straw or hay to springers to maintain rumen muscle fitness and function (via active rumination) and to dilute the energy density of the springer diet.

4) Rumen microbial adaption

— It takes 710 days for rumen microbes to change from one diet (that is fermenting soluble carbohydrates) to the next (that is fermenting complex carbohydrates — e.g. grass). Rumen fermentation needs to be at its peak efficiency at the time the cow calves.

Tip — Make sure that springers cows are exposed to the feed they will be offered as colostrums and milkers. This may mean that they are back on grass (or grass based) and also get some grain in the shed, silage or PKE starting 710 days before calving. They do not necessarily need to be taken completely off crop (although best not to feed more than 23kg of FB to springers). Feeding Rumensin will increase feed conversion efficiency by more rapidly selecting beneficial bacteria.

5) Protein — In late gestation

the foetus is rapidly growing, the mammary gland is regenerating, and large volumes of colostrum antibodies must be produced. Springer cows (from 34 weeks precalve have an increased protein requirement. Deficient cows have compromised immune function and production.

Tip — Cows within 710 days of calving need ~2.0 kg of Crude Protein per day. For a springer offered 14kgDM, this would be a total dietary crude protein of 1516%. Soya meal, canola, peas, DDG and Italian ryegrass are a good source of additional protein. FB, straw and cereal balages are very poor.

6) Springer Energy Intakes —The industry recommendation has been to slightly restrict intakes of springer cows. The benefit of doing this is to prepare the liver for postcalving fat metabolism and reduce milk fever. Aim to be feeding optimal condition cows 90% of their ME requirements and light cows 100% of ME requirements.

Tip — Springer cows should ideally be eating (down the throat) 2.8% of their body weight daily. (min 2.5% — max 3.1%). For a 500kg cow this would be a 1314kgDM offering. For a BCS greater than or equal to 5.0 cow aim to give her 105MJME down the throat and a BCS less than or equal to 5.0 cow 115MJME down the throat.

7) Trace Minerals — Make sure that cow Trace mineral status is adequate at calving. The big three to ensure good immune function are Selenium, Copper and Zinc.

Tip — Most farmers provide cows with short acting selenium as springer cows return home, consider extending this to the highly researched Multimin injection which provides all three for extra coverage. Analysis of Fodder Crops in our area shows that they are consistently low in Zinc.

8) Early Calf Removal — Removing the calf within 12 hours ensures that cow bonding is reduced, and cows are less likely to ‘pine’ at the gate. The risk of mastitis is significantly reduced by shortening the suckling period and the colostrum when harvested within 12 hours will be far superior to a cow that has been calved 24hrs.

Tip — Use the fact that you are milking the main colostrum mob just OAD to free up time for TAD calf and cow pick up. Graze colostrum cows from the back of the paddock to the front so they are not hanging out at the gateway. Alternatively putting a wire across the paddock corner on a 45° angle, 30 m from closest corner to the shed will deflect them out of that area.