All Set For Blooming Winter?

14th December 2009

How is the overall health of the herd as we get into the heart of the winter? One hundred per cent fit? Ninety per cent? Very unlikely. It is not uncommon to reach January and find that milk protein levels fall off because the herd has not been fed enough energy, then come March fertility is poor. The root of these issues can be addressed now with some mid-winter health checks.

As the cold and damp weeks of the waning year approach, it’s not unusual for quite a few of the herd to be lame and facing a difficult winter in relation to the healthier animals. Lame animals will often have a miserable time of it in winter, unable to feed or rest properly and likely to reach spring in far from pristine condition. But a little treatment now will go a long way to putting the sufferers back on track while at the same time maintaining the overall performance of the herd.

It can help to tackle the problem from the ground up. First, using a simple walk-through footbath for a series of consecutive days will address and resolve many issues relating to hoof care. A low footbath mixed with water and ‘Inciprop Hoof D’ liquid will serve well.

These benefits can then be further enhanced by providing Cornwall Farmers’ ‘Hoof Plus’ lick buckets for the herd, which specialist formula will improve the development and repair of hoof tissue and reduce lameness.  ‘Hoof Plus’, from the Duchy Molassed Mineral range, features protected zinc and Biotin (Vitamin H) to promote the growth of healthy hoof tissue and hardness in addition to being a barrier against infection.

The herd will be spending most of the next few months under cover, where their needs must be met in terms of the number of cubicles available, the allotted space and hygiene within each cubicle. Products such as ‘Dri-Li Extra’ will help control bacteria and keep beds dry during the winter.

As ever, the cow’s behaviour is the best indicator to any underlying problems and it’s a wise farmer who checks to see that the herd is cudding properly and eating enough fresh weight and dry matter. Quality of forage is the first item to check if there are obvious eating or digestion issues.

Acidosis is common problem at this time of year, often caused by high levels of starch in cereals, made worse by wet and acidic maize silage and this looks like being a particular issue this year. Increasing the scratch factor with more straw and/or whole crop content increases the cow’s level of saliva production, which is the best natural defence against acidosis. There are now remedies available, such as XP yeast, which are easy to digest and invaluable in helping to keep stomach acidity under control.

Farmers also need to ensure the right balance is being struck between starch and sugars and the right fibre levels. Cornwall Farmers’ Supreme Match 2009 LS (Low Starch) and Supreme Match 35 RH (Rumen Health) are excellent feed to help achieve this.

Cows don’t need much to be wrong in their lives to upset their equilibrium but the converse is also true: get the fundamentals right and the herd will thrive and prosper.

For further details do talk to your Cornwall Farmers expert by calling: Dr Robin Hawkey on 07770 816581; Tom Mann on 07901 854477 or Andy Hawken on 07901 854463.