what to feed dry cows

^{Dry Cow Feeding Strategy}

• Corn Silage. Corn silage is the queen of dry cow forages but provides higher-than-required energy. ...
• Grass. Grass provides low to moderate energy and good palatability, but depending on fertility and maturity, it can pose some risk for milk fever due to potassium contents above 2.0.
• Straw. The preferred high-fibre diluent forage when fed along with corn silage is straw because it’s readily available and consistent in quality.

What do dry dairy cows eat?

In the past, dry dairy cows were fed diets of low-energy content, at best supplemented with some concentrate as calving approached.It is an increasingly common management practice to separate dry cows into “far-off” (first 30 days) and “close-up” (last 30 days).

What is dry cow period feeding?

The primary aim of dry cow feeding is to maintain body condition with adequate energy intake. This allows your cattle to start their new lactation in the best possible nutritional status. It is preferable to review dry cow period feeding and ration in consultation with your nutritional advisor and vet.

What is the best forage for dry cows?

Straw, corn silage, grass hay, corn stover, soybean straw – the list can be lengthy when it comes to suitable forages for dry cows. Ultimately, your choice in picking the perfect forage or combination of forages for your dry cows will depend on your available equipment, method of feeding and cost of production.

Why is a dry cow diet so important at calving?

There are vast bodies of evidence and research proving the link between what a cow eats and her health at the time of calving. Evidence shows a successful dry cow diet will help prevent several problems at freshening, such as retained placenta, milk fever and reduced feed intake.

How much should I feed my dry cow?

A cows daily intake should be 1.8-2% of the cow's body weight. For example, a 600 kg cow will require 11-12 kg dry matter (DM) per day. A balanced diet helps avoid complications. For example, cows fed a low energy diet tend to have a higher incidence of retained placentas.

How do you take care of a dry cow?

TreatmentA treatment with intramammary antibiotics helps resolve lingering mastitis and prevents new infections from occurring over the dry period.To administer the treatment, first milk out the udder. ... Dry cow tubes come with a nice set of alcohol wipes. ... Use one tube per quarter.More items...•

What is the best thing to feed cows?

Best Healthy Feed for Beef Cattle1) Grain Supplement. Grain can get cattle growing quickly and can help cattle get fat. ... 2) Hay. Hay can provide every important nutrient for cattle, but it has to be picked at the height of its nutrient richness À” that is, before it becomes too dry. ... 3) Pasture and Forage. ... 4) Concentrates.

How much does a dry cow eat per day?

Cows will voluntarily consume about 2 percent of their body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100 percent dry matter. Grass hays often will be 7 percent to 10 percent moisture.

How long is the dry period for a cow?

60 to 65 daysLength of Dry Period Generally, longer or shorter dry periods depress milk production in the next lactation. First-calf heifers need a maximum dry period of 60 to 65 days; older cows need fewer dry days.

Why do cows go dry?

The dry period is the most important phase of a dairy cow's lactation cycle. During this phase, the cow and her udder are prepared for the next lactation; hence any abnormalities during the dry period will have a negative effect on the cow's health and milk production after calving.

What is the cheapest way to feed cattle?

“Corn residue is one of the lowest cost forages on a cost per pound of energy. That's why mixing a high energy and protein feed like distillers' grains with a low quality forage like corn stalks is so cost effective. Distillers' is often a low-cost source of both energy and protein.

Do cows need grain everyday?

The grain finished cattle need to be checked regularly and fed daily. They live in the pasture their entire lives and also receive natural grain during the last 6 months of their life. It's up to them on if they eat the grass or grain.

What is best to feed cows in winter?

Forage quality is important, but you can get through the winter with decent quality roughage (i.e., hay, stockpiled introduced pasture and/or dormant native grass) if you have enough of it and your cattle (mature cows) are in the right physiological stage and condition.

How many bales of hay does a cow need for winter?

For a cow needing 8,190 pounds of hay per year and a bale weight of 960 pounds, divide 8,190 by 960 for a yearly need of about 8.5 bales per cow. Multiply this by the total number of weaned cattle in your herd. For example, 45 cows multiplied by 8.5 bales per cow results in a total need of 383 bales.

How much alfalfa Should I feed My cow?

By feeding 5 pounds of alfalfa every day or 10 pounds every other day, producers can meet the nutrient requirements of the beef animal for less cost.

How much corn can a cow eat?

How Much Corn Do I Need? Figure 4. A mature cow will consume from 2.5 to 3% of her bodyweight in dry matter each day. If that cow weighs 1,000 pounds, she would eat between 25 to 30 pounds of dry matter per day.

How do you maintain a cow?

Salt and mineral supplements should be given to maintain the lactation. Never frighten or excite the animals. Always treat them gently and with kindness. With proper feeding and care, a cow will come to heat with in 16 days of calving.

Why is it important to manage dry cows effectively?

Proper dry cow management is important in preparing cows for the next lactation. Many disorders such as milk fever, displaced abomasum, retained placenta, uterine infections, lowered milk production, and clinical mastitis can be avoided.

Can dry cows get mastitis?

Because mastitis monitoring is commonly limited to cows within the lactating herd, mastitis acquired during the dry period is not diagnosed until early lactation. By emphasizing mastitis management in dry cows and heifers, cows can enter the milking herd at full potential for a successful lactation.

How often should a cow have a calf?

“A cow should have a calf every year.” That is a very straightforward and simple statement, but cattlemen know it takes effort, planning and management to make this happen. One way to achieve this goal is to establish well-defined breeding and calving seasons.

What causes a negative protein balance during gestation?

This nutrient increase is parallel to a DMI reduction, which causes a negative protein balance.

How long does it take for a cow to dry out after lactation?

Cows of first and second lactation had little production losses with shorter periods of 40 to 45 days. For mature cows, dry periods of 50 to 65 days were needed, probably because they are less persistent.

How long does it take for milk to dry?

Under ideal conditions, dairy cows produce milk during 305 days of the year and are dry the remaining 60 ( Table 1 ). In reality, feeding for high production should begin during the dry period or towards the end of the previous lactation. With dry periods shorter than 40 days, there’s not enough time to regenerate the mammary tissue;

How long does it take for a rumen papilla to grow?

Large quantities of volatile fatty acids (VFA), propionic acid in particular, are produced, which stimulates the development of rumen papillae in a process that requires 4 to 6 weeks (Dirksen et. al., 1985). The growth of bacteria that utilize lactic acid originating from propionic is also slow (3-4 weeks).

How long is a dry period?

The authors concluded dry periods shorter than 30 days and longer than 70 days reduced lifetime productivity, with the impact of dry periods in excess of 80 days even worse than those shorter than 30 days.

How many times does Progressive Dairy magazine print?

Progressive Dairy magazine is printed 20 times each year for forward-thinking U.S. dairy producers. The award-winning magazine's editors and contributors provide compelling features, helpful articles, insightful news analysis, and entertaining commentary about the people, practices and topics related to a dairy lifestyle.

Do cows have higher BCS?

In reality, cows with higher BCS represent a greater problem than cows with lower-than-desired BCS. Dry cows carrying excessive condition are more susceptible to develop cystic ovaries and other reproductive problems, hoof problems after calving, retained membranes, displaced abomasums and ketosis. Energy needs.

What to feed a dry cow?

Straw, corn silage, grass hay, corn stover, soybean straw – the list can be lengthy when it comes to suitable forages for dry cows. Ultimately, your choice in picking the perfect forage or combination of forages for your dry cows will depend on your available equipment, method of feeding and cost of production.

Why do cows need to be fed after calving?

Overweight cows seem to have the most problems at freshening, so a feeding program that prevents high body condition score in the previous lactation and dry period ensures the cow will be healthy at the time of freshening.

What kind of straw do cows prefer?

Cows tend to prefer varieties of straw without awns. Some straw, such as spring wheat, are more brittle and easier to fine chop, leading to many producers selecting wheat straw and other awnless cereal straws, such as barley. Oats are more difficult to fine chop because of the thick stem. Cereal silage is a common dry cow forage in many parts ...

What is the best way to reduce milk fever in cows?

Therefore, feeding dry cows straw or other calorie-diluent forages in combination with lactating silage (s) is an important strategy. Many high-fibre and low-energy forages, such as straw, late-cut grass and stover , are typically low in potassium, helping reduce the incidence of milk fever.

How many calories should a Holstein cow eat before calving?

Ensuring an intake of 15 to 16 mega calories (Mcal) of net energy lactation (NEl) per day for normal sized Holstein heifers or dry cows before calving has been shown to prevent big drops in feed intake around calving.

What is the advantage of using fine chopped hay?

The greatest advantage of using fine chopped hay is its palatability compared with straw. Grass varieties, such as orchard, timothy and reed canary grass, have a hollow stem, possibly allowing better rumen retention at the time around calving when intake goes down.

How much time should a cow sleep?

Excellent cow comfort, access to a perfect diet 24-hours daily and adequate space for the cow to eat and sleep are not only important for lactating cows but equally as important for dry cows.

Far-Off Dry Dairy Cows

Articles regarding the feeding and management of dry cows from dry off until 3 weeks before calving

en Español

Hipocalcemia Subclínica, o Fiebre de la Leche, en Vacas Lecheras – Porqué Tanto Escándalo?

How to feed a cow with a trough?

Optimise feeding area design to maximise dry matter intake. Be sure to: 1 Clean out feed troughs daily 2 Provide cows with at least 0.75 m of feed space per cow in transition 3 Maintain correct feed barrier or rail position and height – observe cows for hair loss or swelling on the neck because this can indicate that the neck rail is too low 4 Provide a smooth/shiny surface in the feed trough because this improves intake

Why do cows need dry feed?

Back to: Managing dry cows. The primary aim of dry cow feeding is to maintain body condition with adequate energy intake. This allows your cattle to start their new lactation in the best possible nutritional status.

How to help cows with hair loss?

Maintain correct feed barrier or rail position and height – observe cows for hair loss or swelling on the neck because this can indicate that the neck rail is too low. Provide a smooth/shiny surface in the feed trough because this improves intake.

Why supplement pasture with concentrate?

At this point, it is usually prudent to supplement pasture with a concentrate source to help prevent ketosis problems, maintain body condition, support fetal growth, and provide the cow with sufficient energy to prepare for the upcoming demands of lactation.

Why do heifers grow slower?

Heifers can quickly become heavily infected by early- to mid-summer. When this occurs, heifers grow slower because they are less feed efficient. They may also develop diarrhea and become anemic.

How old do heifers need to be to grow on pasture?

Heifers that are 6 to 12 months of age can grow very successfully on pasture, provided they are supplemented with several pounds of a concentrate mixture throughout the season. This supplement will provide them with additional energy for growth as well as energy to help recapture the excess nitrogen found in pasture.

What is dry cow management?

Dry Cow Management. The dry period of the dairy cow is a critical determinant of the productivity and profitability of the dairy enterprise. Traditionally, dry cows have been considered "non-producers" in the herd, and these animals typically have not been managed as intensively as the lactating cow. Kick 'em into the back 40 and forget 'em.

What are the problems cows have during their dry period?

Many herd problems can be traced to nutrition and management during the dry period, including low peak milk, sluggish intake post-calving, metabolic disorders, reproductive problems, body condition loss, and mastitis. How these cows are managed during this period can have a dramatic effect on the health and productivity of the dairy herd.

Do heifers graze in pastures?

Ideally, "heifer pastures" should be identified where only heifers are grazed. Do not graze the mature cows in these areas, and do not spread manure on these heifer pastures to prevent transmission of the Johne's organism from the manure of mature cows.

Can heifers have pinkeye?

Pinkeye can also be a problem for heifers during the summer when on pasture. Fly control is important at this time in particular. Affected heifers should be brought indoors for treatment and confined out of direct sunlight until the condition is cured. Trace mineral salt should always be available to heifers on pasture.

What is the rumen's ration?

To recover and renew it’s epithelium (surface that absorbs minerals etc.), the rumen needs a ration that is high in fibre and low in rapidly degradable carbohydrates, advises Mr Swinkel. Typically this is a ration that is fed in the dry period, as the energy needs of the cow are relatively low in this period.

Why is milk mastitis a risk?

There is a high risk of intramammary infections and mastitis during the involution stage, for several reasons: The innate immune system is poorly established, because of: the immune function of leukocytes in milk in general is impaired, due to the absence of complement factors, immune factors and glucose.

Why should milk production be low?

Milk production should be as low as possible. Low milk production at drying off ensures a minimal build up of milk pressure in the udder and consequently a lower risk of milk leaking, meaning effective closure of the teat canal so reducing the chances of infection.

How much of a cow's energy is produced by free fatty acids?

Free fatty acids that are produced and, for the most part absorbed in the rumen can supply up to 80 per cent of the cow’s energy needs. A substantial proportion of dairy cows experience an incidence of subclinical ruminal acidosis during lactation. Figures in studies vary from 19 to 50 per cent of cows.

How to prevent mastitis in cows?

Use practical procedures for cleaning and disinfecting, such as using high volumes of clean bedding or calving on pasture, instead of washing and disinfecting between calvings, seem to be more effective in preventing mastitis, prolonged calving and scours in new born calves. Minimise stress for the cow.

Why is lactoferrin reduced?

The activity of lactoferrin is reduced because the concentration goes down due to dilution and because citrate concentration goes up. Also the concentration of leukocytes decreases, together with a reduction in their phagocytic capacity caused by the presence of fat and casein.

What is the body condition score of a dry cow?

Mr Swinkels says that dried off cows should have a body condition score within a range of 2.5-3. "It is important that there is a focus on nutritional management towards the second half of lactation, so that cows achieve the ideal body condition score for a dry cow.".

Feeding

See more on progressivedairy.com

Far-Off Dry Cows

Close-Up Dry Cows

Energy Needs

Protein Needs

Calcium Homeostasis

Summary