Optimising Milk from Forage
Optimising milk from forage is the way to go for new…
Jobs for the Winter
As Autumn comes to a close and the days get shorter, we look ahead to the winter to provide you with some hints and tips to maximise the health of your herd.
- Do you have adequate lighting?
- Why not download a lux light meter app for your smart phone to establish levels of lighting in your buildings?
- Cows needs 16 hours of at least 200- lux and about 8 hours of <50lux.
- Make sure feeding areas, water troughs and lanes are well lit and that lighting doesn't produce shadowy areas of light reflective surfaces.
- Timing lights to come on prior to stockmen arriving can aid heat detection with cows being up and active.
- Have you done a forage analysis?
- Forage analysis will change throughout winter as clamps continue to ferment and different fields and cuts are reached.
- Analyse your forage when any sign of change is detected.
- How’s your heifer rearing?
- If you feel cold, then your calves are feeling cold too! Calf jackets keep calves warm so they have more energy for growth and to fight infection.
- Provide plenty of fresh clean bedding for effective insulation to reduce body heat loss.
- On very cold days, mix milk slightly warmer than 38°C to allow for cooling before the milk is fed.
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