What are your downer cows telling you?
While no-one is talking calving complications and downer cows at this time of the year, realistically anyone who struggled with the most critical time of the season is now living with the hangover from it when it comes to fertility and in-calf results. Now is the time to consider what could have been done better and what could make a difference next season.
Lead feed works. End of story.
Bill O’Sullivan says getting cows safely through calving in Southland is their priority. Along with his wife, Keri Kahotea, and family they milk 800 cows in a 50-bail rotary on 271ha. They produce 370,000kg of milk solids a year. Dairy farming is a constant challenge, and no two days are the same.
Dodging downer cows
Southlander John Riordan knows just how exhausting, time-consuming and expensive that downer cows are at the start of the season. The former sheep and beef farmer converted to dairy in 2008 when the price of lamb “was going nowhere”.
