Suckler cow condition critical for efficient feed use
The prolonged poor weather that sucklers have endured this year means many cows have been housed carrying less body condition than usual. It’s making nutrition a high priority to ensure enough silage is being fed to those that need it most and not wasted on those that don’t.
Silage concern
The effect of the wide variability of silage quality is already causing some suckler herd owners to be concerned about the amount of forage that has already been eaten, even though herds have only been housed a few weeks. Higher intakes are being triggered by the low quality of forages on many farms – but not all cows need as much as they are eating.
Rhydian Jones of SAC Consulting says winter housing is always an opportune time to review the management of housed suckler cows. And while it’s important to check that buildings have adequate ventilation and to assess if cows would benefit from being given more space through access to an outside yarded area for feeding and/or exercise, this year the key to cost-effective management will focus on the most efficient use of feed, he says.
“Two groups of cows are better than one and three groups are better than two – this is the year when it’s really going to make a difference if cows can be grouped according to their body condition at housing and fed appropriately.
“There are a lot of cows carrying less condition, but, equally, there will be those who have summered better. Each needs to be on a feed regime to suit,” says Mr Jones.
Cows should be calving down in the spring at condition score 2.5-2.75. If they are above that they can afford to lose some condition during the winter. If they are not it’s important they are getting enough feed to put some flesh on, says Mr Jones.
Suckler-cows weighing about 650kg and in acceptable body condition would need about 75MJ a day to hold that condition through the winter and would not need to be on ad-lib silage. Given free access to 10-10.5 ME silage, these cows will gain condition if allowed much more than 7.5kg DM.
“On an ad-lib system these cows would eat twice that amount and that’s not making the best use of feed,” says Mr Jones, who stresses that the most efficient use of forage can only be made if it’s analysed, coupled with splitting the herd according to body condition.
Feed budget
“Do a feed budget, too. Even if you’ve got a full pit of silage, you need to know the dry matter. If it’s wetter than normal they will have to eat more.”
For cows coming inside that are clearly leaner than expected, the priority must be to get flesh on them as quickly as possible to achieve a condition score of about 2.5-2.75. They should be kept on a regime that holds them at that level until calving to avoid feeding too much in late pregnancy.
“These cows probably don’t need to be on an ad-lib silage system. If they were being fed 85MJ of energy from about 8.5kg of dry matter intake a day, that should be adequate.
“But it’s essential to go through the cows regularly and check body condition. Consider taking calves away earlier if weaning normally happens later in the winter or try keeping calves off the cows for gradually longer periods by closing the creep gate.”
Any grouping arrangement – particularly where cows are being given a restricted amount of feed – must allow them all to eat at the same time, so if the herd is to be split according to condition, it may be an appropriate time to look at space allocation.
Mr Jones says cows on a restricted diet will be able to eat their daily needs very quickly, so providing some additional exercise space in a yarded area will not only provide more room for them to move about – and that will keep them mobile and active and benefit calving – but could also give the opportunity of providing extra trough space. For cows in loose yards, the living space allocation is 6sq m a cow.
Welfare
Suckler cow welfare may not have been as highly prioritised as that considered necessary for dairy cows, but Mr Jones says “a cow is a cow, whether she is a suckler or a dairy cow”. He says suckler producers should make sure cubicle-housed cows have enough space and adequate comfort.
“They get up and lie down, just as dairy cows do, and deserve the same amount of consideration. This is also a good time of year to do a spot-check on ventilation and examine the ridge – open it up if necessary – and the ventilation inlets. Any sign of steam coming off cows or a smell of ammonia in the shed first thing in the morning suggests ventilation could be improved.
“Although some cubicle-housed herds are now using rubber mats, those using wood-chip-based products need to keep a check on how damp the bedding is when it arrives on the farm and how often it needs replacing. It must be purchased from a reliable source and not include any nails or screws if it’s produced from pallets,” says Mr Jones.
Debbie Brown of Castle Vets in Co Durham says feeding suckler cows this winter must take account of the quality of the feed and the condition of the cows – particularly heifers and the younger end of the herd.
Supplementary feeding
“A lot of heifers that reared calves this summer are carrying less flesh than they would normally do at housing and need to be fed enough good-quality feed to regain condition. If necessary, I would advise some form of supplementary feeding, because there’s a risk of abortion in cows and heifers on a poor-quality diet,” says Ms Brown.
And even if problems aren’t immediately obvious, there could be a price to pay later, says Ms Brown. “Cows calving down in poor condition will mean lower calf birth weights and thus calves will be less viable and more prone to scours or other health issues. Knowing the quality of what you’re feeding and what cattle need it the most is very important this winter.”
Review of winter housing
Mary Vickers of EBLEX says undertaking a review of winter housing and management is something that can make a difference to the end margin.
“Providing the right environment that reduces exposure to disease is essential. Moisture, fresh air and air speed are critical environmental factors affecting pneumonia. Avoiding the accumulation of moisture in buildings and ensuring a good supply of fresh air is important, but so is making sure there are no draughts at animal level.
EBLEX says stress levels in calves must be minimised to reduce the risk of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). “Maintain a regular routine, avoid disbudding and castration at weaning, check for lungworm and fluke, vaccinate for BRD at housing and allow calves to creep outside the building if the shed is shared.”ONLINE:
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