The breeding season is fast approaching and getting cows grazing continues to be a significant challenge on dairy farms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On many farms, fodder supplies are now very much depleted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With breeding around the corner, it is vital that cows are being adequately fed so that cow condition does not suffer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The weather shows no significant signs of improvement, which means that grazing and getting grass in the diet will continue to be a challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Late April or early May is generally a time when breeding begins on farm, so over the next couple of weeks it is vital that cows are being adequately fed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If possible, you should try to get some grass into the diet. Although it may not be possible in some areas, short periods at grass should be possible in others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silage will remain in the diet for the near future on the majority of spring-calving dairy herds, but where possible, there should be as much grass<\/a> as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Freshly calved cows will eat around 13kg of DM. This will increase by around 0.8kg, until intakes reach a maximum 10 weeks post calving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to maintain DM intakes, many farms are increasing the amount of concentrates being fed in parlour or adding it into the mid-day feed in the form of soya hulls or beet pulp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can go up to 50% of the diet from these sources, but that should only really be done in situation where fodder is in short supplies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Soya hull and beet pulp are a good option for farmers as they can be easily added to the diet and easily removed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid trying to overcomplicate the diet cows are currently on, and instead focus on trying to get them to grass where conditions allow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cows need to be in a BCS of 2.75 or higher at breeding. Any cow that is below this should be considered for once-a-day (OAD) milking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are moving cows onto OAD milking, it is important that you continue to feed them twice\/day in the milking parlour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a mistake that is often made on farms – where cows are moved to OAD milking, but then are not fed at the evening milking. <\/p>\n\n\n BCS <\/h2>\n\n\n\n