Feeding a good pre-calving mineral can help cut down on problems once cows start to calve down.
ADVERTISEMENT
For suckler herds that start calving in early to mid-February, it is time to introduce pre-calving minerals to cows.
A good pre-calving mineral can greatly reduce problems such as lazy calves that are slow to stand and suckle for the first time, cows that are lethargic at calving time or issues such as cows holding the cleaning (placenta) post-calving.
Pre-calving minerals should be introduced around six to eight weeks before the first calf is due to be born.
ADVERTISEMENT
Penned cows
Having cows penned according to calving date means you only need to feed minerals to those animals set to calve down in the first.
It also means there is no need to start feeding minerals to March- and April-calving cows yet, thereby saving on money.
Minerals can be fed via a number of methods, each with their own merits and drawbacks.
Powdered minerals dusted on silage is a common example, as farmers like to see cows coming forward to feed every day.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
For suckler herds that start calving in early to mid-February, it is time to introduce pre-calving minerals to cows.
A good pre-calving mineral can greatly reduce problems such as lazy calves that are slow to stand and suckle for the first time, cows that are lethargic at calving time or issues such as cows holding the cleaning (placenta) post-calving.
Pre-calving minerals should be introduced around six to eight weeks before the first calf is due to be born.
Penned cows
Having cows penned according to calving date means you only need to feed minerals to those animals set to calve down in the first.
It also means there is no need to start feeding minerals to March- and April-calving cows yet, thereby saving on money.
Minerals can be fed via a number of methods, each with their own merits and drawbacks.
Powdered minerals dusted on silage is a common example, as farmers like to see cows coming forward to feed every day.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS