index

MIKE LEMMEY'S

EASY CALVER DRY COW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Easier calving

Less milk fever

Better fertility

CONTENTS

ABC	DRY COW MANAGEMENT - RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE THE A B C SYTEM OF DRY COW MANAGEMENT

ORGANIC

DRY COW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM APPROVED BY THE ORGANIC FARMERS AND GROWERS

News8	Newsletter No.8 Animal Welfare
ADDRESS	Address, Telephone and e-mail

DRY COW MANAGEMENT - RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE

M.W.LEMMEY

This paper reports on an on farm system originally developed to reduce milk-fever and modified to ease calving difficulties, increase cow fertility and milk protein yield.

I am a specialist dairy farmer in Dorset milking 100 cows, and rearing 50 replacements on 48 Ha. of site class 3 land. I have developed a dry cow management system, which I believe has a large effect on the health and productivity of the herd and on the overall profitability.

About 15 years ago I had a milk-fever problem in my herd. Milk-fever is a metabolic disease normally occurring within 48 hours of calving. Early symptoms are uneven gait, and drunkeness, followed by collapse and coma. Treatment is by injection of calcium borogluconate, and apparent recovery is dramatic. However by this time damage has occurred, estimated to amount to £206/cow (Esslemont 1992), so prevention is better than cure. I read of research work being done at Compton (Allen 1980) about dry cow feeding, and in particular about reducing calcium levels and increasing magnesium levels in the feed prior to calving. I put this into practice together with other research as it became available and developed a complete system of Dry Cow Management.

Using this system on my farm for the past 15 years has encouraged better stockmanship to such an extent that 97% of cows and heifers calve unassisted; total calf mortality is under 3%, and no serious case of milk-fever has occurred in over 1,700 calvings.

The dry period is a preparation period and not a rest period

Preparation starts 100 days before drying off, when cow condition should be checked.

COW CONDITION

The control of cow body condition score so that it follows the ideal pattern, is the single most important factor associated with herd health, fertility and productivity.

Regular condition scoring gives a current picture of how cows are doing, compared to the historical picture obtained from milk yield figures.

Results from trials and observations all agree that cows should be dried off at condition score 2.5-3 and maintained in this condition until calving. With a correct dry cow management system this condition can be increased to 3-3.5 giving an extra 60 L Wt Kg to act as a buffer in early lactation. But dry cow management must be correct.

Cows should be scored preferably at monthly intervals, but certainly at drying off, calving, A.I. and 200 days after calving.

It is important to score mid-lactation because this is the time when condition can be influenced by feeding. In fact at this point supplementary feeding should be regulated according to condition and not milk yield or stage of lactation. Unfortunately in mid-lactation there is often no other need to examine the cow, so condition score gets missed. The older Friesian can then get too fat, whereas the younger Holstein type gets too thin. This necessitates at least two dry cow groups. Dennis Yousey, with one of the highest yielding herds in the U.S.A. has 4 groups: Fat cows, thin cows, O.K. cows and close-to-calving cows! Two groups are essential: the early dry period group and the close to calving group.

The 8-4 week group need careful watching because even if cows are dried off in the right condition, there is a real risk that they will become too fat if they are given an ad-lib diet of grass or silage. This is often unnoticed if the same person sees them each day. It helps to get an outsider in to measure cow condition. They need only 90Mj for maintenance and the calf, which they can get easily from 7.5 - 8 kg dm. Ideally the diet needs diluting 50/50 with straw or palatable roughage.

Fat cows are bad news because of:

1. More calving difficulties;

(a) Cows store fat in the pelvis and this can present a physical obstruction. There is not enough room to get the calf through; you often see fat being squeezed out like toothpaste.

(b) Fat marbling in the muscles affects muscle activity.

Result: Dead calves or calves which die soon after birth, and at worst downer cows.

2. Milk fever.

Fat cows are more prone to milk fever because fat accumulation in the liver affects the way calcium is used in the body. After calving appetite is down so the cow is not taking in sufficient calcium. These cows are often sweating with sticky coats due to poor liver function.

3. Fertility.

Due to difficult calving the cow is much more likely to have metritis or whites caused by retained cleansings, contamination at calving and poor involution(contraction of the uterus). Poor involution has a large effect on getting the cow back in calf. A survey of "dirty" cows showed 20% incidence with a consequent 56 day increase in calving interval.

4. Fat cows have lower dry matter intakes, leading to ketosis and acetonaemia.

5. Higher incidence of cystic ovaries. Research in Scandinavia showed 4 times as many cases of cystic ovaries in ketotic cows.

6. Increased mastitis and even lameness because the liver is not working properly to produce

sufficient antibodies.

If the cow is fat at drying off it is too late to take condition off without affecting health. It is vital to feed a high quality diet before and after calving to counteract reduced appetite and prevent excessive weight loss in early lactation.

Thin healthy cows are not such bad news:

They normally calve ok, don't get milk fever and calve in with a big appetite. Providing they can eat enough to produce milk and maintain condition then they will get back in calf.

More often with high genetic merit cows they produce the milk and condition continues to fall. In this state they only have a 30% chance of getting back in calf.

When appetite increases and milk yield is past peak they level off in condition. There is then a normal 65% chance of getting back in calf.

Thus high genetic merit cows don't fit into the block calving situation.

Hence the importance of assessing cow condition - on the one hand to avoid calving complications and on the other hand to avoid wasting expensive semen.

Cow condition scoring is easy to learn and costs nothing to put into effect.

I often give talks on Dry Cow Management followed by hands on demonstrations of condition scoring.

THE CONDITION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE IN-CALF HEIFER

10 years ago Bridget Drew (A.D.A.S.) surveyed nearly 3,000 heifers on 58 farms to assess causes of dystokia and its effect on subsequent performance.

The greatest single factor affecting ease of calving was the farm on which the heifer calved. The partaking farms were subdivided into those with low calf mortality and those with high calf mortality.

Low mortality was defined as those with less than 5% calf deaths = 30% of the farms.

High mortality was defined as those with more than 20% calf deaths = 20% of the farms.

There were no differences between the groups in heifer measurements and in size of calf. The effect of the bull on calf size was negated by using the same six bulls on all farms. No bull had a mortality rate of over 4% on the low mortality farms whereas all bulls had a mortality rate of over 20%on the high mortality farms.

The differences appeared to be in the management of the heifer in the 3 weeks before calving.

The low mortality farms:-

1. Adjusted feed levels to avoid calving in over fat condition.

2. Stocked tightly and restricted energy intake in the last 3 weeks.

3. Ran the heifers with the close-to-calving cows.

4. Provided supplementary magnesium.

5. Observed regularly in a paddock close to the farm.

6. Calved in familiar surroundings and avoided moving when close to calving.

7. Observed from a distance at calving and only interfered if showing signs of stress, and

then primarily to examine presentation.

The system I am advocating follows all the above management guidelines plus a few more. Everything possible is done to remove stress in the heifers. They are trained to cubicles, silage, concrete, electric fencing and the parlour at an early age. Bulling heifers are trained to the milking parlour whilst they are in the yards for service. After calving every one of them remembers and walks straight into the parlour and lets her milk down. Minimising stress and mixing the heifers with the cows they are going to calve and go into the herd with removes the need for a separate heifer milking group.

RUMEN CONDITIONING, COW HEALTH AND FERTILITY

Recent work emphasises the importance of keeping the rumen full of production forage during the last 3 weeks of the dry period. Concentrates should be kept to the minimum that supplies minerals , trace elements, vitamins and DUP required - in most cases 1 kg High Protein Easy Calver Rolls is sufficient. Forage dry matter intake after calving has been shown to be directly related to forage dry matter intake before calving - and not related to concentrate intake in the dry period.

This keeps the rumen full and stretched and after calving it can expand to fill the gap in the body cavity left by the calf.

Appetite and dry matter intake rise directly after calving reducing the period of negative energy balance before the cow starts to gain condition.

This has a significant effect on milk production and cow health and increases the chances of getting the cow back in calf from 30% to 65% in calf to 1^st service.

Normally a fertility problem is not recognised until cows start repeating after 1^st or 2^nd service, which may well be 100+ days into lactation. By this time cow condition is increasing and blood tests may show no abnormalities. Investigation is often time consuming and expensive and the problem either results in a higher culling rate or an expensive calving interval.

" 95% of fertility problems are nutritional, not bacterial and failure to manage

dry cows properly is the main reason why farmers claim high yielding cows are

difficult to get back in calf."

( Personal communication from Dirk Zaaijer acknowledged to be the top fertility vet in Holland and often called upon to consult in the UK.)

Trial work concerning protected protein before calving reported interesting effects on fertility. The heifers on the control group required twice as many services per pregnancy as the heifers receiving supplementary U.D.P They also remained open for 12 days longer. Earlier fertility trial results have been confusing because they looked at changes in cow condition, and energy balance at the time of service. But the recent research suggests that the nutritional status at the end of the dry period and the beginning of the lactation is more important.

High degrees of energy stress in the first two weeks after calving are associated with delays in bulling and poorer conception rates.

Dry cow feeding and trace element supply directly affect the timing of the first heat. Low bulling activity combined with poor health of young calves can indicate trace element deficiency.

After each heat the uterus becomes smaller and the more heats before service the better as the uterus has to reduce from calf size to no bigger than hand size. The smaller the uterus the stronger the signal from the fertilized embryo to the cow to maintain pregnancy.

Forage should be offered ad-lib at all times to ensure intake capacity is maintained as well as keeping good rumen muscle tone and encouraging a high population of fibre digesting bacteria.

RECOMMENDED DIET FOR CLOSE TO CALVING GROUP

1. Ad-lib high intake forage.

2. 1-1.5 kg High Protein Easy Calver feed.

3. Provide feeder with straw, hay or big bale silage. Alternatively bed down liberally with straw.

Or when calving at grass

1. Restrict grass intake to 4-6 kg DM.

2. Fill up with silage, hay, straw or big bale silage

3. Feed 1-1.5 kg High Protein Easy Calver Rolls.

Occasionally these diets may incur slight risk of milk-fever if the grass or grass silage is high in K or Ca. This can be checked by forage analysis and corrected by including a higher percentage of maize or big bales.

Summary: Rumen conditioning;

(a) Increases appetite.

(b) Reduces early lactation energy gap.

(d) Reduces incidence of displaced abomasums.

(e) Reduces incidence of fatty liver syndrome. (cows which maintain dry matter intake show less hepatic liver content.)

REDUCING WASTAGE IN THE DAIRY HERD

In recent years emphasis on genetic merit has reduced herd life, as management has not kept up with the rate of genetic improvement. National average herd life has reduced from 3.3 to just over 2 lactations/cow. 42% of heifer calves born do not reach the end of their second lactation. With heifers costing £850 to rear and cull cows worth no more than £250 this leaves a replacement charge of £600.

Number of lactations	Replacement £/yr	costs p/litre
1	600	10
2	300	5
3	200	3.3
4	150	2.5
5	120	2
6	100	1.66

So increasing the herd life from 2 to 5 lactations would increase profit by 3p/litre

Easy Calving dry cow management will increase herd life by:

Reducing stress at calving.

Supplying the correct vitamins and trace elements to optimise the production of antibodies and hormones.

Reducing incidence of milk-fever.

Improving herd fertility - fewer barren cows.

MINERALS TRACE ELEMENTS AND VITAMINS

It is common for cows to go from mid lactation through to calving without any special reference to minerals. In-calf-heifers especially are often kept on an all forage diet. This has resulted in an increase in the incidence of calves born dead, retained cleansings and poor fertility.

The dry period must be used to ensure cows come to calving in fit condition and with the correct mineral balance. Adequate supplementation with phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D3 is essential as under "mineralised" cows can remove minerals from the skeletal structure to supply the developing calf, leaving them unable to cope with the requirements of early lactation.

Most mineral programs are based on A.R.C. standards referring to the 5,000 litre cow. We are now feeding some cows giving double that yield. As cows can't manufacture minerals what goes out in the milk must go in in feed. Yet we are producing more milk from home-grown forage and using more unmineralised straight feeds.

She needs more and is given less - no wonder things go wrong and we can't get cows in calf. I now have access to a yield related mineral program and all our dry cow feeds contain the trace element and vitamin requirements of the dry cow.

Trace elements and vitamins are improving the immune system and helping to cope with and combat disease.

Very low calf losses illustrate this point. This is because they are "up and at it" and receive adequate good quality colostrum quickly.

THE "FAR OFF" DRY COW GROUP

Free access minerals or mineral licks are commonly fed at this stage but whilst easy to use they are not very efficient at supplying each cow's individual needs.

Consequently we have developed "Easy Mineral Rolls" to be fed in the first half of the dry period. Fed at only 1/2 kg/head/day, they balance the supply of minerals, trace elements, and vitamins to the dry cow, with the added bonus that the stock are closely inspected every day.

THE CLOSE TO CALVING GROUP

3-4 weeks before anticipated calving date cows and heifers are moved to the close to calving group. Here they are fed High Protein Easy Calver Rolls with additional magnesium. Magnesium is important for several reasons:-

Firstly it stimulates the parathyroid gland to produce the hormone that releases calcium at calving. Without this there is a 48 hour delay in the release of calcium and the cow gets milk fever.

Secondly an adequate daily supply of magnesium has an effect on muscle tone, and the cow calves more easily. The cow cannot store magnesium, therefore it has to be taken in daily. In most situations the cow or heifer is wandering around looking for somewhere to calve and not eating normally. Therefore her magnesium levels are borderline before she starts to calve. She starts to calve, is a little stressed, pushes out the feet and nose of the calf and then stops, not having enough muscle power to calve unassisted.

Thirdly magnesium acts as an enzyme activator in the energy production cycle, and as demand for energy increases at times of stress the requirement for magnesium increases. For example in wet, windy weather, when more energy is required the animal seeks shelter even at the expense of feed intake, magnesium levels fall and the cow is more susceptible to milk fever and staggers.

For these reasons it is important to have a positive daily supply of magnesium. My system ensures that the cows and heifers receive 50gm of elemental magnesium daily in a palatable form.

The feed also contains the dry cow requirement for manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, cobalt and iodine, as well as additional vitamin D3 to ensure adequate supplies for effective calcium mobilisation. Selenium and vitamin E will reduce the risk of retained cleansings and weak calves, and improve the efficiency of the cow's immune response system, reducing clinical mastitis and cell counts.

Other trace element problems that are reduced by correct supplementation are:-

Zinc deficiency, leading to impaired protein synthesis, lameness and dermatitis.

Iodine deficiency, causing reduced fertility, foetal reabsorbtion and weak calves.

Cobalt deficiency, reducing vitamin B12 synthesis, impairing energy metabolisation.

CALVING AND POST CALVING

Most cows on the system will calve unassisted within an hour of the water bag showing. If the cow or particularly the heifer takes longer, first of all establish that the presentation is correct and then leave as long as the cow is fit and working hard pushing. She needs plenty of time to stretch the cervix, especially if the calf is coming backwards. (Backwards is still classified as a normal presentation). The calf will come to little harm up to the point of the shoulders, or if backwards the rump, entering the inner pelvic rim.

On the day of calving and immediately afterwards the cow needs access to good quality grass or silage, fresh water and concentrates with a high level of calcium - up to 1% of dry matter intake. This encourages cleansing and involution. The calved cow should not be left in the close-to-calving group with limited access to feed for 24-48 hours.

We have developed a new product "Easy Starter" available in drench form or as a concentrate. This contains calcium, propylene glycol, U.D.P. trace elements and vitamins. This should be given on the day of calving and on subsequent days if necessary to stimulate appetite and get the cow to peak intake quickly.

The cow or heifer should then join the herd, the sooner the better, to avoid social stress and give access to production forage. Because the rumen is already conditioned concentrates can be increased to the target maximum in less than a week with no ill effects.

Good stockmanship and careful individual management during the dry period and at calving can lead to substantial all round improvements in productivity and the average life of the cow in the herd.

MILK PROTEIN

Recent research in America on pre-calving nutrition showed that feeding small amounts of undegradeable protein in the last 3-4 weeks of the dry period can boost milk protein and cow fertility in the following lactation.

Further trials in this country at SA.C., Wye, Nottingham, and I.G.E.R. Aberystwyth have shown similar results over 3 years:- milk protein yield increased by an average 10%.

Richard Dewhurst at I.G.E.R. has reviewed the effects of supplying extra protein before calving and analysed the results. He reported that all second calvers, all cows giving over 6,500 litres, and all cows whose lactation declined at less than 10% per month responded to extra U.D.P. in the dry period. He concludes;

"Correct feeding in the dry period may have a profound effect on subsequent lactation performance"

The trials also showed a substantial decline in dry matter intake during the last 10 days of pregnancy - down to 6.4kg D.M.I. This coincides with the period when the needs of the foetus are increasing, and the addition of U.D.P. is thought to save the protein reserves of the cow.

The source of the protein is very important and needs to be protected to avoid an undesirable increase in E.R.D.P. With 60% E.R.D.P. trials have shown 30% lower conception rates and oversize, lethargic calves.

It is not advisable use fish meal as a source of U.D.P., as its high calcium level upsets the milk-fever balance. Enhanced U.D.P. in the dry period increases both the protein and the immunoglobin concentration in the colostrum and hence its vital properties for the calf.

Feeding high levels of the right protein during the dry period:-

(a) Primes lactation for a fast take off by eliminating early protein supply constraints.

(b) Increases milk protein yield.

(d) Improves colostrum quality.

(e) Improves production of the cows own antibodies and increases resistance to disease.

(f) Improves fertility.

I have put all the foregoing research into practice, combined it with common sense and good stockmanship, and produced a simple and effective system of dry cow management.

THE SYSTEM

From 8-3 weeks prior to calving

1. Restrict grass or silage to maintenance only

2. Keep rumen full with palatable roughage

3. Feed 1/2 Kg / day "A" Easy Mineral Rolls

These make up the dry cow requirements of minerals, trace elements & vitamins plus extra copper, selenium, Vit E, and Iodine. They ensure each cow or heifer receives her requirements and is seen to do so for a total cost of under £3 for the 3 week period

3 weeks before anticipated calving date

1. Transfer to close-to-calving group

2. Introduce ad-lib quality silage

3. Keep rumen full with palatable roughage

4. Feed 1 - 1 1/2 Kg/day "B" High Protein Easy Calver Rolls to prepare cow and calf for subsequent lactation

After calving

1. Provide ad-lib production forage

2. Provide plentiful clean water

3. Feed 2Kg "C" Easy Starter Pencils 2-3 times a day

These stimulate appetite and promote calcium metabolism

As soon as fit transfer to milking herd

THE BENEFITS

1. Easy calving - 97% of cows and heifers calve unassisted.

2. Reduced milk fever - no serious case in 1,700 calvings.

3. Live healthy calves:

(a) As the cow or heifer has a quick easy calving, the new born calves are more viable. They are often up and sucking within 1 hour of birth.

(b) Adequate trace elements and vitamins stimulate the production of good quality colostrum. As a result total calf mortality is under 3%

4. Increased appetite and dry matter intake, with knock-on effect on:

(a) Fertility

(b) Milk protein

(d) Retained cleansings

5. Better fertility:-

(a) Because calving is easy there are fewer uterine infections.

(b) Because the cow's appetite is stimulated there is a shorter period of negative energy balance,

reducing calving-to-conception interval.

preventing high blood ureas leading to infertile eggs.

6. Increased yield of milk protein:

(a) Because the cow's protein reserves are not depleted by the calf.

(b) Because the rumen is more efficient.

7. Reduced acidosis and acetonaemia:

(a) Because palatable roughage stimulates the rumen.

(b) The fit rumen can expand to fill the gap in the body cavity after the calf is born and it is then

capable of handling large quantities of bulk feed.

8. Increased resistance to disease:

(a) The cow is fit but not fat.

(b) The liver is not fatty and its capacity to produce antibodies and hormones is unimpaired.

9. Easier life - for the cow and heifer because the system reduces stress and is cow friendly. Milk fever is prevented by feeding - not by chasing cows around and sticking needles into them, whether to prevent milk fever (vitamin D3) or to cure milk fever (calcium borogluconate).

10. Easier life for the herdsman - the whole system with its daily inspection and emphasis on prevention rather than cure reduces stress, and gives the herdsman confidence, even to the extent of reducing the necessity of getting up to examine cows in the middle of the night.

11.Increased profit.

(a) Herd life extended from 2.5 lactationsto 5 lactations.	= 3p / litre
(b) Increased milk protein	=1p / litre
(c) Lower vets bill and lower costs	= 1p / litre
	=5p / litre

For a 100 cow herd this can amount to an incredible £30,000

Plus the bonus of less hassle

ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF HIGH PROTIEN EASY CALVER ROLLS

Cost of feeding for 3 weeks @ 1Kg per day £8

Costs from well-known manufacturers:-

To supply the same amount of magnesium £25

To supply the same amount of vitamin E £43

To supply the same amount of selenium £17

FARMER COMMENTS

"The Easy Calver System saves me 1 1/2 hours a day - worth it for this alone" Richard Calver, Somerset

"Cows come into the herd flying" Nick Tuke Dorset

"Thanks for the best calving season ever." Richard Johns 200 cows Pembs

" I wouldn't be without Easy Calver after nearly 5 years of good results" Val Jones, Middlesex

"I seldom get up in the middle of the night to calve a cow." Richard Butter, Launceston

" Very few calving difficulties and an excellent start to the breeding season" Anthony Bushell, Pembrokeshire

" Absolutely transformed our calving, can't believe it, no retained cleansingssince I started using the Easy Calver System" Robert Brown, Stafford

" Cracked milkfever problem" Steve Dennison, Cumbria

" I used to have dreadful problems with slow calvings and floppy calves - not any more - I am now in my 7^th year of using Easy Calver Rolls" John Helliar, Corsley Wiltshire

"How sharp the calves are - easy to rear"

SURVEY RESULTS

Survey sent out to 200 customers - 48% replied

9 out of ten reported reduced milk fever

7 out of 10 reported easier calving

98% reported increased calf vitality

The majority reported increased milk protein

7 out of 10 reported more profit

For further information contact:

MIKE LEMMEY "EASY" PRODUCTS

LIBERTY FARM, HALSTOCK, YEOVIL, BA22 9SY

Tel:01935891215 Fax:01935891242

e-mail:Robert.lemmey@virgin.net

APPROVED BY THE ORGANIC FARMERS AND GROWERS

DRY COW MANAGEMENT - RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE

M.W.LEMMEY

This paper reports on an on farm system originally developed to reduce milk-fever and modified to ease calving difficulties, increase cow fertility and milk protein yield.

The dry period is a preparation period and not a rest period

Preparation starts 100 days before drying off, when cow condition should be checked.

COW CONDITION

The control of cow body condition score so that it follows the ideal pattern, is the single most important factor associated with herd health, fertility and productivity.

Regular condition scoring gives a current picture of how cows are doing, compared to the historical picture obtained from milk yield figures.

Results from trials and observations all agree that cows should be dried off at condition score 2.5-3 and maintained in this condition until calving. With a correct dry cow management system this condition can be increased to 3-3.5 giving an extra 60 Kg L.wt to act as a buffer in early lactation. But dry cow management must be correct.

Cows should be scored preferably at monthly intervals, but certainly at drying off, calving, A.I. and 200 days after calving.

Fat cows are bad news because of:

1. More calving difficulties;

(a) Cows store fat in the pelvis and this can present a physical obstruction. There is not enough room to get the calf through; you often see fat being squeezed out like toothpaste.

(b) Fat marbling in the muscles affects muscle activity.

Result: Dead calves or calves which die soon after birth and at worst downer cows.

2. Milk fever.

3. Fertility.

4. Fat cows have lower dry matter intakes, leading to ketosis and acetonaemia.

5. Higher incidence of cystic ovaries. Research in Scandinavia showed 4 times as many cases of cystic ovaries in ketotic cows.

6. Increased mastitis and even lameness because the liver is not working properly to produce

sufficient antibodies.

Thin healthy cows are not such bad news:

They normally calve ok, don't get milk fever and calve in with a big appetite. Providing they can eat enough to produce milk and maintain condition then they will get back in calf.

More often with high genetic merit cows they produce the milk and condition continues to fall. In this state they only have a 30% chance of getting back in calf.

When appetite increases and milk yield is past peak they level off in condition. There is then a normal 65% chance of getting back in calf.

Thus high genetic merit cows don't fit into the block calving situation.

Hence the importance of assessing cow condition - on the one hand to avoid calving complications and on the other hand to avoid wasting expensive semen.

Cow condition scoring is easy to learn and costs nothing to put into effect.

I often give talks on Dry Cow Management followed by hands on demonstrations of condition scoring.

THE CONDITION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE IN-CALF HEIFER

10 years ago Bridget Drew (A.D.A.S.) surveyed nearly 3,000 heifers on 58 farms to assess causes of dystokia and its effect on subsequent performance.

Low mortality was defined as those with less than 5% calf deaths = 30% of the farms.

High mortality was defined as those with more than 20% calf deaths = 20% of the farms.

The differences appeared to be in the management of the heifer in the 3 weeks before calving.

The low mortality farms:-

1. Adjusted feed levels to avoid calving in over fat condition.

2. Stocked tightly and restricted energy intake in the last 3 weeks.

3. Ran the heifers with the close-to-calving cows.

4. Provided supplementary magnesium.

5. Observed regularly in a paddock close to the farm.

6. Calved in familiar surroundings and avoided moving when close to calving.

7. Observed from a distance at calving and only interfered if showing signs of stress, and

then primarily to examine presentation.

RUMEN CONDITIONING, COW HEALTH AND FERTILITY

Recent work emphasises the importance of keeping the rumen full of production forage during the last 4 weeks of the dry period. Concentrates should be kept to the minimum that supplies minerals , trace elements, vitamins required - in most cases 1/2 kg Original Easy Calver is sufficient. Forage dry matter intake after calving has been shown to be directly related to forage dry matter intake before calving - and not related to concentrate intake in the dry period.

This keeps the rumen full and stretched and after calving it can expand to fill the gap in the body cavity left by the calf.

Appetite and dry matter intake rise directly after calving reducing the period of negative energy balance before the cow starts to gain condition.

This has a significant effect on milk production and cow health and increases the chances of getting the cow back in calf from 30% to 65% in calf to 1^st service.

" 95% of fertility problems are nutritional, not bacterial and failure to manage

dry cows properly is the main reason why farmers claim high yielding cows are

difficult to get back in calf." No need for the needle.

( Personal communication from Dirk Zaaijer acknowledged to be the top fertility vet in Holland and often called upon to consult in the UK.)

Fertility trial results have been confusing because they looked at changes in cow condition, and energy balance at the time of service. But the recent research suggests that the nutritional status at the end of the dry period and the beginning of the lactation is more important.

High degrees of energy stress in the first two weeks after calving are associated with delays in bulling and poorer conception rates.

Dry cow feeding and trace element supply directly affect the timing of the first heat. Low bulling activity combined with poor health of young calves can indicate trace element deficiency.

Forage should be offered ad-lib at all times to ensure intake capacity is maintained as well as keeping good rumen muscle tone and encouraging a high population of fibre digesting bacteria.

RECOMMENDED DIET FOR CLOSE TO CALVING GROUP

1. Ad-lib high intake forage.

2. Feed 1/2 kg Original Easy Calver.

3. Provide feeder with straw, hay or big bale silage. Alternatively bed down liberally with straw.

Or when calving at grass

1. Restrict grass intake to 4-6 kg DM.

2. Fill up with silage, hay, straw or big bale silage

3. Feed -1/2 kg Original Easy Calver feed

Summary: Rumen conditioning;

(a) Increases appetite.

(b) Reduces early lactation energy gap.

(d) Reduces incidence of displaced abomasums.

(e) Reduces incidence of fatty liver syndrome. (cows which maintain dry matter intake show less hepatic liver content.)

REDUCING WASTAGE IN THE DAIRY HERD

Number of lactations	Replacement £/yr	costs p/litre
1	600	10
2	300	5
3	200	3.3
4	150	2.5
5	120	2
6	100	1.66

So increasing the herd life from 2 to 5 lactations would increase profit by 3p/litre

Easy Calving dry cow management will increase herd life by:

Reducing stress at calving.

Supplying the correct vitamins and trace elements to optimise the production of antibodies and hormones.

Reducing incidence of milk-fever.

Improving herd fertility - fewer barren cows.

MINERALS TRACE ELEMENTS AND VITAMINS

Trace elements and vitamins are improving the immune system and helping to cope with and combat disease.

Very low calf losses illustrate this point. This is because they are "up and at it" and receive adequate good quality colostrum quickly.

THE "FAR OFF" DRY COW GROUP

Free access minerals or mineral licks are commonly fed at this stage but whilst easy to use they are not very efficient at supplying each cow's individual needs.

Consequently we have developed "Easy Mineral Rolls" to be fed in the first half of the dry period. Fed at only 1/2 kg/head/day They balance the supply of minerals, trace elements, and vitamins to the dry cow, with the added bonus that the stock are closely inspected every day.

THE CLOSE TO CALVING GROUP

4-5 weeks before anticipated calving date cows and heifers are moved to the close to calving group. Here they are fed Original Easy Calver Rolls with additional magnesium. Magnesium is important for several reasons:-

Firstly it stimulates the parathyroid gland to produce the hormone that releases calcium at calving. Without this there is a 48 hour delay in the release of calcium and the cow gets milk fever.

For these reasons it is important to have a positive daily supply of magnesium. My system ensures that the cows and heifers receive 40 - 50gm of elemental magnesium daily in a palatable form.

Other trace element problems that are reduced by correct supplementation are:-

Zinc deficiency, leading to impaired protein synthesis, lameness and dermatitis.

Iodine deficiency, causing reduced fertility, foetal reabsorbtion and weak calves.

Cobalt deficiency, reducing vitamin B12 synthesis, impairing energy metabolisation.

CALVING AND POST CALVING

Good stockmanship and careful individual management during the dry period and at calving can lead to substantial all round improvements in productivity and the average life of the cow in the herd.

I have put all the foregoing research into practice, combined it with common sense and good stockmanship, and produced a simple and effective system of dry cow management.

THE SYSTEM

From 8-3 weeks prior to calving

1. Restrict grass or silage to maintenance only

2. Keep rumen full with palatable roughage

3. If considered necessary Feed 1/2 kg/day

"O" Original Easy Calver Rolls

3weeks before anticipated calving date

1. Transfer to close-to-calving group

2. Introduce ad-lib quality silage

3. Keep rumen full with palatable roughage

4. Feed 1/2 kg/day "O" Original Easy Calver Rolls to prepare cow and calf for subsequent lactation

These make up the dry cow requirement of minerals, trace elements & vitamins plus extra copper, selenium, Vit E, and Iodine. They ensure each cow or heifer receives her requirements and is seen to do so for a total cost of under £3 for the 3 week period.

After calving

1. Provide ad-lib production forage

2. Provide plentiful clean water

3. Feed concentrates with high level of calcium

This stimulates appetite and promotes calcium metabolism.

As soon as fit transfer to milking herd

THE BENEFITS

1. Easy calving - 97% of cows and heifers calve unassisted.

2. Reduced milk fever - no serious case in 1,700 calvings.

3. Live healthy calves:

(a) As the cow or heifer has a quick easy calving, the new born calves are more viable. They are often up and suckling within 1 hour of birth.

(b) Adequate trace elements and vitamins stimulate the production of good quality colostrum. As a result total calf mortality is under 3%

4. Increased appetite and dry matter intake, with knock-on effect on:

(a) Fertility

(b) Milk protein

(d) Retained cleansings

5. Better fertility:-

(a) Because calving is easy there are fewer uterine infections.

(b) Because the cow's appetite is stimulated there is a shorter period of negative energy balance,

reducing calving-to-conception interval.

6. Increased yield of milk protein:

(a) Because the rumen is more efficient.

(b) Peak appetite is reached earlier.

7. Reduced acidosis and acetonaemia:

(a) Because palatable roughage stimulates the rumen.

(b) The fit rumen can expand to fill the gap in the body cavity after the calf is born and it is then

capable of handling large quantities of bulk feed.

8. Increased resistance to disease:

(a) The cow is fit but not fat.

(b) The liver is not fatty and its capacity to produce antibodies and hormones is unimpaired.

11.Increased profit.

a) Herd life extended from 2.5 lactations to 5 lactations=3p / litre
(b) Increased milk protein	= 1p / litre
(c) Lower vets bill and lower costs	= 1p / litre
	5p / litre

For a 100 cow herd this can amount to an incredible £30,000

Plus the bonus of less hassle

ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF ORIGINAL EASY CALVER ROLLS

Cost of feeding for 4 weeks @ 1/2 Kg per day £5

Costs from well-known manufacturers:-

To supply the same amount of magnesium £25

To supply the same amount of vitamin E £43

To supply the same amount of selenium £17

FARMER COMMENTS

"The Easy Calver System saves me 1 1/2 hours a day - worth it for this alone" Richard Calver, Somerset

"Cows come into the herd flying" Nick Tuke Dorset

"Thanks for the best calving season ever." Richard Johns 200 cows Pembs

" I wouldn't be without Easy Calver after nearly 5 years of good results" Val Jones, Middlesex

"I seldom get up in the middle of the night to calve a cow." Richard Butter, Launceston

" Very few calving difficulties and an excellent start to the breeding season" Anthony Bushell, Pembrokeshire

" Absolutely transformed our calving, can't believe it, no retained cleansingssince I started using the Easy Calver System" Robert Brown, Stafford

" Cracked milkfever problem" Steve Dennison, Cumbria

" I used to have dreadful problems with slow calvings and floppy calves - not any more - I am now in my 7^th year of using Easy Calver Rolls" John Helliar, Corsley Wiltshire

"How sharp the calves are - easy to rear"

SURVEY RESULTS

Survey sent out to 200 customers - 48% replied

9 out of ten reported reduced milk fever

7 out of 10 reported easier calving

98% reported increased calf vitality

7 out of 10 reported more profit

Newsletter No. 8

ANIMAL WELFARE

Dry Cow management is the single most important factor affecting length of life of the dairy cow, because of its influence on the following:-

Stress at calving

Reducing stress in a cow's life will help her live longer. If with correct dry cow management she can calve naturally and unaided she is less likely to retain her cleansing, and should be easier to get back in calf.

Fertility

Most cows are culled because they are not in calf, so improving fertility will minimise culls.

Lameness

The effect of calving on horn growth is striking. Rings can clearly be seen on cow horns that correspond with calving. Bulls have no rings on their horns! Because calving has such an effect on horn production cows' feet also suffer from a stressful calving. Lameness particularly in heifers new into the milking herd is often seen 6 weeks after calving.

Milk fever

Cows still die from milk fever. This should be preventable with good Dry Cow Management.

The Immune Response System

Correct dry cow feeding improves the immune response system resulting in less disease. For example mastitis is reduced by feeding correct levels of Vit E, Se and Zn. Colostrum quality is improved giving the calf the best possible protection from diaease

Why is Longevity important?

Cost of replacement

It costs £850 to bring a heifer into the milking herd, with the value of the cull cow only £ 250. Therefore each replacement costs £600. As 40% of heifers never reach their 3^rd lactation this equates at average yield levels to 5p/Litre. How many dairy farmers make 5p/Litre profit?

The public image of dairy farming

The national average of little more than 2 lactations per cow is widely reported in the press as an indication of the unnatural conditions under which dairy cows are kept. We must try to hold on to the idea that milk is a wholesome natural product, and that cows are not 'factory farmed'.

To enable cows reach their full genetic potential

Whilst bringing new heifers into the herd quicker might seem the way to speed up genetic improvement, many cows don't reach their peak until their sixth lactation.

Fewer Friesian bull calves

Fewer replacements are needed so more cows can be served with beef breeds.

Ten out of ten cows prefer a longer life

For further information contact:

MIKE LEMMEY "EASY" PRODUCTS

LIBERTY FARM, HALSTOCK, YEOVIL, BA22 9SY

Tel:01935891215 Fax:01935891242

e-mail:Robert.lemmey@virgin.net

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