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Cow Comfort For improved herd health and production On a recent visit to the UK, Professor Nigel Cook of Wisconsin University highlighted the improvements in dairy cow performance that can be achieved from improving cow comfort. Professor Cook explained how improving cow comfort and health has dramatically improved milk production on Wisconsin dairy units ensuring cows are more productive and profitable. In Wisconsin the majority of cows are housed all year round so ensuring that cubicle design is correct is essential for optimising cow comfort. Professor Cook’s research showed that by moving from inadequate mattresses to sand bedded cubicles increased lying times and decreased lying bouts resulting in longer, more productive lying bouts on sand cubicles. Cows produce the majority of their milk when lying down, this is because during this time blood flow to the udder increases by up to 30%. Increased lying times results in a reduction in the number of lame cows as a direct consequence of improved cow comfort. Data from more than 200 herds in Wisconsin showed that on average an extra 1,154 kg of milk could be gained from cows bedded on sand cubicles or on the appropriate mattress as result of improved comfort and reduced lameness. However, sand isn’t for everyone due to management and slurry storage issues. Huge benefits can be made by looking at your cubicle design, looking at loops and stall widths, brisket board positioning and length of lunging area. In order to maintain effectiveness of mattresses the foam needs to be changed every 3-4 years. With this in mind our dairy team at Wynnstay have sourced a range of products to help its dairy customers reap these rewards. Two types of cubicles are available; the ‘Super Comfort’ and the new ‘Green Cow Safe Cubicle’ pictured below. To accompany these, Wynnstay recommend mattresses or sand beds created using a pre-formed reinforced concrete cubicle base system. Sand use can be reduced by up to 70% by adopting the new rubber sand saver system. Wynnstay also offer a range of cubicle sanitizers and bedding materials including Stalosan F, Biolime, Envirobed and Chalk lime mix Correct cubicle size and positioning of the head rail and brisket board (figure 1) are essential if the cows are to lie down for the required minimum of 11 hours per day. Bear in mind that for every hour extra a cow lies down over this they produce in the region of an extra 0.9 to 1.6 litres extra per day. Provision of sufficient access to feed can be optimised with the installation of a single rail feed fence set 30° in from the feed barrier wall Where C=A-D Courtesy of Professor Nigel Cook provided eating space per cow is sufficient (60 to 80 cm per cow). Alternatively Wynnstay offer the revolutionary ‘Green Cow Safe Feed Barrier’ see below, which optimises eating position. In addition, where possible, installing rubber mats along the feed barrier can help to reduce feet problems and increase intakes. Adequate access to clean water can be achieved with Wynnstay’s range of troughs which feature easy to empty systems. Bearing in mind the financial rewards possible means that investing in and improving cow housing facilities can be justified and will soon produce a return on investment. For further advice on cow comfort issues and a demonstration of the ‘First Step’ cow comfort and lameness evaluation tool please contact Iwan Vaughan, Dairy Specialist. Iwan Vaughan Dairy Specialist M: 07990 578548 iwan.vaughan@wynnstay.co.uk Figure 1 8 www.wynnstay.co.uk
KETOSIS A recent study by DHHPS showed that 1 in 3 cows in the UK are suffering from Sub Clinical Ketosis (SCK) in the first 50 days of lactation. This metabolic disease is brought about by excessive body fat mobilisation in late pregnancy and early lactation in response to a deficit in energy supply. Sub Clinical Ketosis is characterised by an elevated blood concentration of Beta Hydroxybutyrate or BHB which is a consequence of the inability of the liver to effectively metabolise Non Esterified Fatty Acids (NEFA) produced by the mobilisation of body fat in response to a shortage of dietary and metabolic energy. Factors predisposing to SCK are not only associated with the freshly calved cow. Failure to provide sufficient energy and maintain DMI in the close up or transition period can result in pre-calving mobilisation of body fat and increased blood concentrations of NEFA. In this situation the potential for a cow to enter a ketotic state increases unless DMI and energy intake is increased. The most important aspect of the disease is that cows suffering from SCK have an increased pre-disposition to other diseases including clinical ketosis and are 10 times more likely to develop LDA’s. In addition cows with SCK suffer more hung cleansings and metritis. 1 in 3 cows in the UK are suffering from sub clinical ketosis or SCK in the first 50 days of lactation Getting cows back in calf is wholly dependent on closing the energy gap, the earlier the energy gap is closed the earlier the cow will conceive. Cows suffering from SKC will have reduced DMI and an extended period of negative energy balance and as research has shown will take longer to get back in calf. As already mentioned cows suffering from SCK have a greater pre disposition to other diseases all of which contribute to the financial loss associated with the disease. The losses are primarily associated with reduced conception rates, increased semen costs, increased calving interval, loss of production, and treatment costs (Table 1). The key to reducing the incidence of SCK begins in late lactation by ensuring that cows reach a target condition score at drying off of around 2.5 to 3.0 and that their condition is not allowed to increase or decrease significantly during the dry period. Failure to manage cow condition and dietary requirements effectively will result in the cow entering into a disease cycle (Figure 1) that will affect her performance and profitability in the current and potentially subsequent lactations. The most important points for ketosis prevention are as follows; 1. Monitor BCS in late lactation 2. Avoid significant gains or losses in condition during the dry period 3. Feed a low protein diet (14% CP) during the dry period with a DCAB of between +50 to +100 and up to 50% of the forage as straw Figure 1. Factors causing, and effects of Ketosis in the transition cow Extended calving interval Over conditioned at drying off Increased incidence of ketosis Increased incidence of; Retained placentas, Metritis, LDS’s, Fatty liver Excessive dry period weight loss Excessive fat mobilisation Over conditioned ar calving Energy deficiency Reduced DMI 4. From three weeks prior to calving to 4 weeks post calving include a supplement containing glucose precursors and vitamins that promote liver function 5. Monitor blood ketone levels from 5 to 25 days post calving. Cows with high ketone concentrations should be dosed with a ketosis treatment supplement or with a straight glucose precursor such as propylene glycol or glycerol. The extent of the problem in individual herds can be determined through regular monitoring of freshly calved cows. Monitoring involves the client’s vet taking a small blood sample from the tail vein of cows between 5 and 25 days in milk. The level of BHB in the blood can be determined immediately and if necessary treatment commenced immediately or changes made to the transition program. This service is currently being offered to farmers by dairy specialist for Wynnstay, Dr. Huw McConochie who advocates that all producers adopt routine ketosis monitoring as a means of assessing transition cow management. Wynnstay offer a range of transition cow supplements all backed up with research based evidence designed to reduce the energy deficit, reduce incidence rates and manage the effects of the disease. The key ingredients of these supplements include propylene glycol, glycerol, propionate and sorbitol all of which are precursors of glucose. This improves the cows energy status, reducing excessive mobilisation of body fat for energy and thus reducing the build-up of fat in the liver and production of ketone bodies. In addition they include vitamins which have a positive effect on liver function. Table 1. Financial implications of Ketosis - Herd Size: 200 Cows Disease Current Incidence rate Target incidence rate Baseline cost of disease Cost above baseline of current performance Sub clinical Ketosis 33% 10% £984.00 £2,263.20 Displaced abomasums 6% 2% £1,512.00 £3,024.00 Clinical Ketosis 15% 5% £933.20 £1,866.40 Metritis 35% 10% £2,400.00 £6,000.00 Retained Placentas 20% 10% £1,200.00 £1,200.00 Total loss of income £14,353.60 Farmers interested in participating in Ketosis monitoring of their herds should contact Dr Huw McConochie at Wynnstay The financial implications to a herd with a 33% SCK incidence rate. The costs are a consequence of a longer calving to insemination period and a reduction in conception rate to first service. Financial implications also lost milk production and vet costs associated with disease. Data taken from “Consequences of disease on reproductive performance are from a review by Fourichon et al . 1999, Journal of Theriogenology” and Geishauser, T., Leslie, K., Kelton, D., and Duffield, T. (2001) Monitoring for Sub-Clinical Ketosis in Dairy Herds. University of Guelph Dr. Huw McConochie Senior Dairy Specialist M: 07771 740857 huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Spring 2013 9
Page 1 and 2: Dairy N e w s l e t t e r Spring 20
Page 3 and 4: A Clear view of where we are headin
Page 5 and 6: Taking the stress out of rearing Li
Page 7: of ice into the bucket of colostrum
Page 11 and 12: AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE YOUR GRAS
Page 13 and 14: FERTILISER UPDATE Sulphur Due to th
Page 15 and 16: Thompson 1997 and Bergsrud 1990, Zi
Page 17 and 18: WHICH BUILDINGS ARE BEST? We think
Page 19 and 20: TEstimonial: Commercial Unit- 38kW

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