Meal: Many farmers are buying the first load of meal now. The importance of protein in early spring rations is often exaggerated. With grass in or around 22% protein, any amount of grass in the diet will mean there should be sufficient protein in the overall diet. Therefore, a 14% protein meal should be sufficient in cases where cows are out to grass. The bigger issue is energy as this is what the cow really needs in early lactation. If rolled barley is 1UFL, the closer the ration is to this the better – ideally it should not be less than 0.95UFL.

A high UFL, 18% protein nut is costing between €280 and €300/t, while a 14% nut costs around €240/t, so there is a fair difference in price even though the UFL is the same. Opting for a coarse mix rather than a nut could save another €10/t but be careful if putting coarse meal through in-parlour feeders as it could bridge in the augers. A standard three-way mix of barley, distillers and soya hulls would suit most farmers who can get cows out to grass.

Cow Health: We are heading into the highest-risk period for cow health. With lower immunity and increased stress around calving time, the chances of the cow picking up something nasty are far greater than at any other time of the year. It’s easy to say, but prevention is better than cure. The main health problems originate in five areas – udder, womb, rumen, lungs and blood. Having clean beds (straw and cubicles) will keep udders clean and reduce the risk of picking up mastitis. Better again get calved cows out to grass as soon as possible. Have the milking machine tested and the liners changed.

Cows that have twins or hard calvings have a much greater chance of picking up womb infections. Wash out these cows three or four days after calving, whether they are dirty or not. Also, if handling cows at calving, wear gloves and keep ropes clean, soaking them in disinfectant between use. Be alert at milking time for dirty cows – a bad smell and a raised tail signals a womb infection along with a retained cleaning so get these cows washed out soon.

A cow that refuses to eat meal signals that she could have a stomach problem. Displaced abomasums appear to be on the rise. Some vets say keeping plenty of roughage in the diet for the first few days after calving helps to reduce incidences. Over-fat cows have a greater risk of ketosis, particularly if they lose a lot of condition post-calving so try and prevent this as much as possible.

Vaccinations and proper ventilation can help to reduce incidences of pneumonia. Most farmers who vaccinate for IBR, whether half yearly or yearly, will have given the vaccine by now, before calving starts. On metabolic disorders, some farms get fierce problems with milk fever while others rarely have a case. Prevention is based around nutrition. Low calcium and high magnesium pre-calving and high calcium and magnesium post-calving should prevent milk fever.