Dairy Newsletter - January 2025

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In this month's edition:

• Top five tips for January
  1. Are you feeding the correct rate of pre-calving minerals? Check the bag for correct feed rate and ensure a sufficient amount is being fed. 
  2. Prepare for calving – ensure all calving and calf-rearing facilities and equipment are ready, with ample supplies of consumables such as calf tags, gloves, iodine, and lubricant available. 
  3. Prepare for grazing – ensure paddocks are ready for grazing. Inspect all fencing and water troughs and repair where necessary.
  4. Prepare for milking – get milking machine serviced and tested. All rubberware should be inspected for signs of damage and natural ageing.
  5. Are you vaccinating for calf scour this year? Ensure vaccine is administered at an appropriate time pre calving. 
• Early slurry application
  The impact of lower fertiliser allowances on pasture growth can be at least partially offset by making more and better use of slurry. Getting the application rate right is very important to maximise the contribution slurry can make to the nutrient application strategy.
• Get the transition period right
  There are a number of key pillars to get right during the dry cow period to ensure the successful transition of the herd into early lactation.
  • Body condition score
    Monitor body condition score (BCS) fortnightly during this period to ensure cows are at BCS 3.25 (range 3.0-3.5) for calving. Ensure silage quality is sufficient for dry cows; 68 DMD silage will support moderate BCS gain provided cows have at least eight weeks dry and are at BCS 2.75-3.0 at drying off.
  • Pre-calver minerals
    Ensure a consistent supply of pre-calving minerals (120g/cow/day) on a daily basis for six to eight weeks pre calving to allow adequate phosphorous (P), magnesium (Mg), trace elements and vitamins to be supplied for this period of rapid foetal growth.
  • Low K forage source
    High levels of potassium (K) in grass silage can be common due to the timing and volume of slurry application. K interferes with the absorption of Mg and can result in increased risk of sub-clinical milk fever.
  • Keep good records
    Indicators of sub-clinical milk fever (retained cleanings, mastitis, metabolic issues) can often be overlooked during such a busy time on farm, but they can result in impaired performance throughout early lactation, and in negative health and fertility outcomes.
• Correct cubicle liming/cleaning procedure
  Keeping dry cow cubicle beds clean and dry is essential for mastitis prevention. Recent surveys found a massive variation in terms of lime use per cow/cubicle and also in the amount of times cubicles are limed per day.
• Health & Safety - Start 2025 with health and safety in mind
  As we start 2025, put safety and health front and centre in your plans and actions. Particular attention needs to be given to moving vehicles, such as tractors, teleporters and ATVs. Risks associated with livestock, slurry handling and avoiding falls from heights must also be closely managed. Take time now to review your risk assessment document and plan any necessary actions.