At this time of year, it is essential to bridge the nutritional gap and try to keep cows producing high levels of quality milk by keeping them out at grass for as long as possible.
Bridging that nutritional gap at this time of year is not the easiest task, as grass growth is inconsistent and the weather can be unpredictable.
Over the last couple of weeks however, the weather has been good and milk solids have been holding up very well on farms.
As we progress further into autumn, this milk solid production may become more inconsistent, as grass will slowly begin to deteriorate.
Bridge the nutritional gap
Agriland spoke with ruminant nutritionist with Kiernan Milling, David Magee, and advised farmers to bridge the gap with 4-6kg of concentrates.
He told Agriland that the sugars, dry matter (DM) and energy in the grass is reducing, as we go later into the autumn and said that “with 12-14% DM grass in the autumn, you have to bridge the gap with concentrates”.
If weather conditions turn unfavourable, Magee urged farmers to go out with “rocket fuel of bales and feed it at the barriers”.
Magee spoke about feeding 1kg of meal and getting a 1L response in milk, and said that if you look at that in an economic sense, concentrates are costing 32-33c/L and milk is up at 44c/L, “so it does make sense”, added Magee.
Coming into the drying off period, Magee said that you don’t want cows calving down too thin, as it is going to affect performance, impact milk production and will leave cows struggling to get back in calf.
Before the dry-off period, he emphasised the importance of body condition scoring your cows now, and potentially once a day milking thin cows and upping their concentrates.
Speaking about rectifying condition on cows prior to drying-off, Magee said that “half a condition score is the equivalent to 25kg”.
Magee emphasised that you should be allow for a six-to-eight-week period to turn thin cows into a good condition before calving down.
The one thing that Magee really stressed, was to encourage farmers to get their silage tested, as you won’t know what you are feeding your stock if it is not tested.
Magee said that many farmers are feeding palm kernel at the minute as they under pressure with grass, but want to keep good condition on the cows and keep their milk production up.
Talking about autumn calving, to avoid any metabolic disorders like milk fever, metritis, retained cleanings, farmers must ensure the cow is getting her minerals.
Magee said to “make sure the cow is getting her 20 to 25g of magnesium to drive the calcium out of their bones”.
High vitamin E and selenium is also very important, as the cow needs those antitoxins to fight off infection and to build up her immunity.
Magee warned about the danger of the cows eating grass with high potassium levels and advised if that is the case, to add 100g of magnesium chloride, or even a bit of straw to dilute the potassium.