7 areas to monitor to improve transition cow health - farmers weekly

© Tim Scrivener About 90% of dairy cows needing veterinary treatment for ill health are within the transition period. This is a term used to describe the three weeks preceding calving to the

three weeks following calving. This is a term used to describe the three weeks preceding calving to the three weeks following calving. A catalogue of changes happens to cows during the

transition period, they go from non-lactating animals with a small increase in energy demands due to their growing and developing calf to having to give birth (an inherently stressful and

painful process) and immediately start to produce large quantities of milk which increases their metabolic demand almost fourfold. See also: Tips for improving cow immunity for transition

success George Giles Westpoint Farm Vets St Columb, Cornwall Unfortunately, about 30-50% of all dairy cows that calve will experience one or more metabolic or infectious diseases during this

period according to the study _Managing critical periods—transition dairy cows_. Traditionally vets and advisers would become involved once things start going wrong such as fertility

problems. But, even if the root cause is identified immediately, we know that often the problem started very early on during the cow’s transition period. But, even if the root cause is

identified immediately, we know that often the problem started very early on during the cow’s transition period. Therefore, it’s really important farmers do more routine monitoring of

specific cohorts of cows to ensure that any future problems are picked up and altered at the earliest possible stage. There are seven key parameters that should be monitored regularly during

the transition period to avoid problem cows post-calving.  SEVEN KEY DRY COW PARAMETERS TO MONITOR TEST/SCORING SYSTEM COHORT OF COWS NEEDED FREQUENCY INTERPRETATION Body condition score

(BCS) Dry cows to peak yielders Monthly Look at mean BCS change over this period. Examine the number of outlying cows that lost great than one BCS. This relates to transition success

Non-esterified fatty acids (blood test) Dry cows seven to 14 days pre-calving Depends on herd size, often monthly Assess body fat mobilisation in the late dry period which we want to

minimise. Beta hydroxybutyrate testing Freshly calved cows seven to 14 days post-partum Six cows per week (also herd size dependent) This will assess levels of secondary subclinical ketosis

within the herd, for example, something has caused the cow/s to have an unacceptably large degree of negative energy balance around calving. Dry matter intake (DMI) of dry cows In

particular, close up dry cows Daily Subtle changes in DMI in this group are often significant and should warrant further investigation. Weigh and record what feed is put in front of this

group and weigh the waste taken away. Stocking density All cows in the dry pen As new cows are introduced 1sq m/1,000 litre milk production per lactation. For example, an 8,000-litre cow

should have 8sq m whereas a 12,000-litre cow should have 12sq m of loose housing space. Feed trough space All cows in the dry pen As new cows are introduced At least 60cm a cow, ideally 90cm

Water trough space All cows in the dry pen As new cows are introduced At least 10cm a cow If we can reduce the number of problem cows post-calving we have less disease within the herd to

treat, which in turn results in faster resumption to cyclicity and ultimately better fertility with fewer cows having extended lactations.