Dairy Business Centre
July 2020 Newsletter

In this months Newsletter:

Transition feeding for Springers
Product of the Month
What’s Being Seen in the Field
What Protein is in your Calf Feed?
Market Update
Contact Us

Transition Feeding for Springers

The transition period two weeks pre-calving can be a stressful time for the cow. With cows often coming back from winter grazing suffering from, low energy levels, lack of minerals, problems from sudden changes in diet and the need to maintain condition.

The two weeks pre-calving transition period is a critical time of year. Cows are more susceptible to a range of problems such as difficult calvings, retained foetal membranes (RFM’s) and weight loss. This two week period will directly determine the cows ability to perform for the coming lactation.

It is important to provide your springers sufficient anionic salts to achieve a negative DCAD and prevent down cows. The easiest way to do this is by feeding lead feed supplementation.

DBC’s Get-Set-Cow lead feed supplementation, containing anionic salts, Calcium, Magnesium, grain, protein, trace minerals and Rumensin for improved energy utilisation. This all in one pellet removes the need to dust minerals, removes the slow transitioning period of cows consuming grain and sets cows and staff up for an easier transition and smoother calving.

Get-Set-Cow enables farmers to reduce the feeding of grass in the pre-calving/springer period. This prepares the cow and rumen for the change into a milking cow diet, resulting in increased feed intake, leading to increased milk production and reduced early lactation weight loss.

Product of the Month!

MAXIMIZE CALF FEED!

MAXIMIZE are high quality, concentrated feed pellets made right here in Canterbury. MAXIMIZE calf pellets are specifically designed to maximise skeletal growth and lean muscle mass development whist providing the calf with necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. MAXIMIZE assists in strengthening the calf’s immunity and general health of your calf herd.

When compared to the protein and amino acid composition of other calf feeds; DBC MAXIMIZE tested at 94% bio-availability, compared to DDG based calf feeds at 22%.

Clients using MAXIMIZE calf pellets claimed to have used less calf feed and achieved target weights an average of two weeks earlier than expected!

Designed to only contain nutrients the calf can utilise for growth

Calves are the foundation of the future herd and if they are not given the best start they will not perform to their full potential when they enter the milking herd.

Click here to learn more

What’s Being Seen in the Field?

We are coming towards the end of the dry period with cows starting spring. We have had some really positive results and feedback from stock wintering on DBC Loose Lick range and Max-T-Min water minerals. We have seen time and time again the importance of mineral restoration during the dry period. Not only does supplementing minerals build reserves but provides the cows with the means to be overall healthier, prepare her body for the coming lactation and provide a healthier calf.We are also busy helping farmers set up for the coming season. Organsing transition feed and minerals for the springers, lactation feed and minerals and of course, calf feed. We have been hands on in helping farmers, providing the best nutrition and advice for a successful season.

Things to check:

Springer Diets – Is your springer transition feed plan and minerals organised?
Calving Kits – Is your calving kit ready, from calf sheds cleaned, calf feeders ready to go, calf feed organised, calf pullers/jack, trained staff etc…
Is your colostrom and milking herd feed and minerals organised?
Body Condition Score – cows should be coming home to the platform in a BCS of 5.
Stock that have been grazing high sugar feeds such as Fodder Beet may suffer from rapid weight loss when entering lactation. Beware of ketotic cows. Transition SLOWLY off fodder beet.
Young stock need minerals to grow. R1’s/R2’s are at critical growth stage of development. Heifers need to be hitting target weights and have appropriate mineral supplementation preparing them for mating this coming spring. The best form of mineral supplementation for heifers at grazing are Loose Lick options. This always ensures consistent mineral consumption when compared to mineral injectables and lick blocks.
Calving is a busy and stressful time of year. Remember to take care of yourself and your staff during this time.

What Protein is in your Calf Feed?

There are two main types of Protein – Rumen Degradable Protein (RDP) and By-Pass Protein.

Calves do not have a fully functioning rumen until they are approximately 100-120Kg! So that means calves require quality By-Pass Proteins to grow. This includes Soya and Canola being the best form of protein.

Stay Away from the likes of DDGs and Peas due to being dominant RDP. Calves can not utilise RDP proteins until they have a fully functioning rumen.

Did you know, the type and quality of protein calves consume pre-puberty impacts the type of tissue forming in the heifer calf’s mammary system!

It is important to avoid fatty tissue laydown in the mammary. Quality By-Pass Proteins have proven to reduce fatty tissue laydown and have improved heifer mammary development. Mammary development impacts the longevity of the udder, milk production and performance ability.

Just because the package says 20% protein, that does not mean the calf can utilise the type of protein in their feed.

Not all calf feeds are created equal, check the ingredients and the bio- availability of the feed to determine what calf feed is best for calf growth and development.

Click the link below to learn more about DBC calf pellets

Click here to learn more

Market Update

The DBC arrow traffic light system is a good indication on the direction the market price is moving and when the time is right to buy.

There is still a lot of uncertainty on the direction of the commodity pricing going forward into the 20/21 season. This is due to the lift in COVID19 cases globally, predicted drought in the Northern Hemisphere and the dollar being the unknown factor.

To learn more about these trends or to purchase commodities get in touch with your local DBC rep