Proactive planning helps improve springer cow health

Good springer cow transition has been shown to reduce metabolic and infectious disease, while increasing dry matter intake, milk production and reproduction¹, which means it is well worth the time and effort to get it right.

One of the first places to start is to manage the ‘extremes’ of body condition scores within the herd at dry off. Target body condition score (BCS) at calving is 5.0 for cows and 5.5 for heifers. Cows that are dried off at less than BCS 4.5 will require help to achieve these targets.

Good nutritional options include high quality silage such as maize or whole-crop cereal silage, concentrated feeds like palm kernel extract, or bypass fats such as Golden Flake® which supplies 37MJME/kgDM.

At the other end of the spectrum, cows that are going to calve above BCS 5.5 are also at a high risk of metabolic disease and ketosis, simply because they don’t eat as much and can lose a lot of weight quickly. For these cows the dry period requires a diet that is higher in fibre and lower in energy. These cows will also need significant nutritional support as they get closer to calving. This is where Rumensin™, chromium and choline can really help, especially when fed in the springer and early lactation periods².

In planning for springer cow health, it is important to note that every cow with milk fever costs more than just the price of metabolic treatment. It can in fact cost over $2,500 in lost milk production³ for each cow that is treated, not including any flow on effects of metritis, mastitis and poor reproductive performance.

To reduce the risk of metabolic disease, a well-balanced springer diet is required. This is where NutriMin® Springer Cow Balancer fits in, as it is a simple, easy to use mineral, vitamin and antioxidant supplement to help reduce the risk of milk fever. It is typically fed three weeks prior to calving, either over feed or as a loose lick.

April 27, 2023