A large number of cattle farmers this winter will have experienced fodder issues associated with the poor growth and harvesting conditions last summer.
On many farms, the amounts of available silage / hay is running low but equally significant is the poor quality of silage / hay on some farms.
This fact, in addition to current prices being paid for concentrate feed, has resulted in a greater number of thinner cows coming up to calving than in previous years.
Ideally, cows should be body condition score (BCS) 2.5-3 at the time of calving but this year a larger cohort of thinner cows are now beginning to calf.
With this in mind, we look here at some of the common problems associated with calving thinner cows and ways to prevent / minimise these problems. Thin cows which are further losing condition in late pregnancy are a recipe for problems.
The energy demands on the pregnant animal, in the last two months of pregnancy in particular, rises significantly. If this is left unchecked, cows at the time of calving can be in negative energy balance resulting in any or all of the following:
Pre Calving Ketosis: Ketosis results where the cow is using her own reserves of body fat as a source of energy in the absence of sufficient energy intake from feed.
It is a vicious circle as Ketosis will actually depress appetite and the animal falls further into negative energy. These animals can appear weak / manic or even present as a downer cow.
Downer cows pre-calving are particularly hard to treat and a successful outcome for cow and calf is often very difficult.
Often owners can assume these animals are low in calcium (Milk Fever) only and as a result correct veterinary advice can be delayed. It is important any downer cow receives veterinary attention immediately to have a successful outcome.
As any farmer / vet will tell you, the only thing worse than a thin cow calving is an overly fat cow calving.
Farmers can be worried about large calves / over fat cows associated with concentrate feeding prior to calving but in many cases this year additional concentrate feeding is necessary to supplement poor fodder.
This is where regular BCS of your cows becomes vital. To correctly BCS a cow, it is essential to put your hand on the cow and not simply look into the pen over the barrier.
Delayed Births / Weak Calves: Again, this is largely down to the poor energy status of the cow. Thin cows which are losing condition at the point of calving can have a protracted calving due to both mineral deficiency and general muscle weakness.
A protracted calving can have negative consequences for the calf with weak and poorly viable calves being born.
This year in particular it is vitally important to ensure adequate pre-calving minerals are available to the cow.
There are different ways to supplement essential vitamins and minerals (Bolus, feed supplements etc) but the most common method is generally by using a pre-calving mineral feed supplement.
It is very important to follow the manufacturer’s general inclusion rates (grammes per cow per day) in the diet. Often, the correct quantity of pre-calving mineral is under-estimated.
Increased Post Calving Problems: Poor BCS cows are much more susceptible to problems immediately after calving than those of BCS 3-3.5.
Retained Foetal Membranes (holding the cleaning) is more common in these cows and, in addition, they can have a reduced immune system which leaves them more likely to develop an infection. It is very important to monitor these cows very closely in the early days after calving and ensure there are no signs of dullness or reduced appetite.
Generally, manual removal of the afterbirth cannot be effectively carried out for up to a week after calving but, in the meantime, it is very important to monitor the cow and seek veterinary advice if she becomes dull or has a reduced appetite.
Your vet may prescribe antibiotics by injection and / or an inter-uterine wash out when the afterbirth has been removed.
It is important prior to calving that the cow develops a good muscle tone in the stomachs and continues to have an adequate feed intake at all times.
In thin dairy cows, which may have poor muscle tone in the abomasum (one part of the stomachs) and that have a reduced feed intake pre / post calving, the likelihood of the abomasum becoming displaced is much greater.
As most dairy farmers are aware, this can be a significant problem and correct management of the cow’s BCS and nutrition are key to preventing cases on a farm.
Summary
A large number of cattle farmers this winter will have experienced fodder issues associated with the poor growth and harvesting conditions last summer.
On many farms, the amounts of available silage / hay is running low but equally significant is the poor quality of silage / hay on some farms.
This fact, in addition to current prices being paid for concentrate feed, has resulted in a greater number of thinner cows coming up to calving than in previous years.
Ideally, cows should be body condition score (BCS) 2.5-3 at the time of calving but this year a larger cohort of thinner cows are now beginning to calf.
With this in mind, we look here at some of the common problems associated with calving thinner cows and ways to prevent / minimise these problems. Thin cows which are further losing condition in late pregnancy are a recipe for problems.
The energy demands on the pregnant animal, in the last two months of pregnancy in particular, rises significantly. If this is left unchecked, cows at the time of calving can be in negative energy balance resulting in any or all of the following:
Pre Calving Ketosis: Ketosis results where the cow is using her own reserves of body fat as a source of energy in the absence of sufficient energy intake from feed.
It is a vicious circle as Ketosis will actually depress appetite and the animal falls further into negative energy. These animals can appear weak / manic or even present as a downer cow.
Downer cows pre-calving are particularly hard to treat and a successful outcome for cow and calf is often very difficult.
Often owners can assume these animals are low in calcium (Milk Fever) only and as a result correct veterinary advice can be delayed. It is important any downer cow receives veterinary attention immediately to have a successful outcome.
As any farmer / vet will tell you, the only thing worse than a thin cow calving is an overly fat cow calving.
Farmers can be worried about large calves / over fat cows associated with concentrate feeding prior to calving but in many cases this year additional concentrate feeding is necessary to supplement poor fodder.
This is where regular BCS of your cows becomes vital. To correctly BCS a cow, it is essential to put your hand on the cow and not simply look into the pen over the barrier.
Delayed Births / Weak Calves: Again, this is largely down to the poor energy status of the cow. Thin cows which are losing condition at the point of calving can have a protracted calving due to both mineral deficiency and general muscle weakness.
A protracted calving can have negative consequences for the calf with weak and poorly viable calves being born.
This year in particular it is vitally important to ensure adequate pre-calving minerals are available to the cow.
There are different ways to supplement essential vitamins and minerals (Bolus, feed supplements etc) but the most common method is generally by using a pre-calving mineral feed supplement.
It is very important to follow the manufacturer’s general inclusion rates (grammes per cow per day) in the diet. Often, the correct quantity of pre-calving mineral is under-estimated.
Increased Post Calving Problems: Poor BCS cows are much more susceptible to problems immediately after calving than those of BCS 3-3.5.
Retained Foetal Membranes (holding the cleaning) is more common in these cows and, in addition, they can have a reduced immune system which leaves them more likely to develop an infection. It is very important to monitor these cows very closely in the early days after calving and ensure there are no signs of dullness or reduced appetite.
Generally, manual removal of the afterbirth cannot be effectively carried out for up to a week after calving but, in the meantime, it is very important to monitor the cow and seek veterinary advice if she becomes dull or has a reduced appetite.
Your vet may prescribe antibiotics by injection and / or an inter-uterine wash out when the afterbirth has been removed.
It is important prior to calving that the cow develops a good muscle tone in the stomachs and continues to have an adequate feed intake at all times.
In thin dairy cows, which may have poor muscle tone in the abomasum (one part of the stomachs) and that have a reduced feed intake pre / post calving, the likelihood of the abomasum becoming displaced is much greater.
As most dairy farmers are aware, this can be a significant problem and correct management of the cow’s BCS and nutrition are key to preventing cases on a farm.
Summary
Cows in poor condition at the time of calving can be a major problem, not just at the time of calving, but going forward into lactation.Unfortunately, this year it is inevitable given the poor forage available on many farms that a greater number of cows than might be expected are calving down in poor condition.It is important to be aware of the challenges this can pose and take steps where possible. It is important to make any changes in the diet gradual and slowly coming up to calving.Do not rush out with a bucket of meal a day or two before the cow calves as this will do more harm than good but rather keep a close eye on thinner cows (especially those lying back) and the correct introduction of moderate concentrate feeding can make a major improvement.The importance of correct BCS and being able to correctly access the condition of cows coming up to and during calving has probably never been more important than this year. 
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