Sexed semen demand rises
The number of New Zealand dairy cows mated to sexed semen is set to double this year as farmers look to capitalise on the technology which delivers a 90% chance of producing a female calf.
With changing pasture quality, he says making sure cows are getting adequate metabolisable energy (ME) is perhaps this season's most pressing issue.
"At this time of the year, the energy demands on a cow are at an all-time high. The physical exertions of pregnancy, calving and now milk production have taken a toll on her energy reserves.
"It is critical to bring her energy levels up, not only for milk production, but for reproduction. If a cow's energy intake is lower than her output, her body will find the missing calories from within her own system."
Body fat and protein will be mobilisd to make milk, but the cost of doing so will be high. Body condition will be lost and so will her ability to conceive. I've seen it happen many times.
"The most common mistake I see at this time of year is animals being fed too little. Some farmers underestimate the genetic potential of their herd, which leads them to underestimate feed requirements. Unfortunately, many cows will head into mating undernourished, which can adversely affect conception rates."
There are solutions, but farmers need to know how much to feed their cows to meet their cows to meet their genetic and fertility requirements.
Reaching a target Body Condition Score (BCS) of 5 to 5.5 before calving is ideal. Ensuring a cow's rumen is fit and healthy prior to calving and stimulating a good appetite post-calving are two key factors. Ken has seen good results when a series of practical measures are taken.
"Underfed animals need an energy break. One of the best things a farmer can do is to milk once-a-day over the colostrum period, for 4-5 days after calving and even longer if necessary. Not only will this take less out of the cow, it helps protect the integrity of the liver which in turn means better feed conversion efficiency. More energy from every bite can lead to improved immune function, performance and appetite.
"The other crucial part is bringing in additional feed to fill the energy gaps. I always start on-farm to see what resources are already available. Farmers often come unstuck because they haven't built up enough feed cover and there isn't any extra to turn to. With a bit of planning, we can fix that for next season."
