The cow is at a significant metabolic disease risk this period as she ramps up her ability to provide nutrients to produce milk. If her diet is inadequately managed, these demands will invariably increase her susceptibility to disease. After calving, the risk of disorders such as milk fever, ketosis or retained foetal membranes is very high.
Energy, protein and minerals surge to kick start milk production, help her recover from pregnancy and to begin preparation for the rest of the production cycle. Throughout this time, her energy demands are immense – initially driven by the growing foetus, which ironically also restricts the space available for the cow’s rumen. This affects her appetite and leads to weight loss, precisely at the time when her requirements are rising.
Addressing the cow’s inability to consume enough and minimising the impact of her negative energy status should be prioritised when considering the strategy for transition feeding. The best option is an energy-dense transition pellet that includes readily available starch.
As the rumen regenerates to provide the nutrients to meet the cows demand, feeding nutrients that help support and promote this regeneration is key. Starch drives rumen papillae growth and development, which are key to the absorption of energy by increasing the absorption area of the rumen. Starch is a very good source of energy for the cow.
A good quality transition pellet will provide these essential nutrients and will only need to be fed in small amounts, given that the cows consumption is restricted. The transition pellet has other benefits such as getting the cow used to eating pellets during lactation and ensures the rumen is adapted to higher starch levels as intake increases during lactation. Bypass protein allows better utilisation of essential amino acids and results in improved milk production critical to supporting the cow and boosting her immune system, making her more resilient to infections. Trace elements are key to support her changing metabolism and are also passed to the calf through the colostrum.
A key mineral requirement is magnesium. It’s not well stored in the animal and needs to be provided daily – ideally in different forms during transition, for instance as magnesium oxide and/or magnesium chloride. It will help to combat milk fever when given on its own before calving, and in combination with calcium thereafter.
While magnesium is widely used, the typical application such as dusting on pasture or adding to drinking water, is often insufficient and wasteful, unless meticulous “best practice” processes are followed.
It’s also important to keep an eye on dosage because in higher concentrations, magnesium quickly becomes unpalatable to cows. By mixing the magnesium with various ingredients and flavourings, the reduced palatability is masked, making a transition pellet an ideal dosing method.
The transition feeding routine has secondary benefits that are especially relevant for heifers. By bringing the cows into the shed pre-calving, you’re helping establish the routine and getting them used to the environment. This, in turn, makes for much calmer cows at their first milking.
All in all, your nutritional efforts to support the transition period, will contribute to a positive early lactation and provide associated benefits, well into the season thanks to early cycling and improved herd fertility.
Speak to your local TSR or Seales Winslow representative for more information or visit www.sealeswinslow.co.nz.
Article supplied by Seales Winslow.