Springer Cow Management to Prevent Milk Fever and Increase Milk Production
Metabolic diseases reduce profit
Metabolic diseases such as milk fever, ketosis and grass tetany often occur just after calving in modern high producing dairy cows. These diseases reduce profitability through the direct costs of treatment and also through reduced milk production, and sometimes death.
Milk fever is the most common and obvious metabolic disease, particularly for older spring calving cows. Traditionally, springer cows have been fed only hay to reduce milk fever, but this does not meet the energy or protein needs of the cow or calf, and cows are not adapted to grain and pasture fed after calving.
Anionic salts have been used to prevent milk fever more recently. Anionic salts increase absorption of calcium from the diet and aid release of calcium from the bones, thus preventing milk fever. However, anionic salts are unpalatable and cows may not consume enough to prevent milk fever, and reduced intake may cause ketosis and poor production.
Bio-Chlor breakthrough
Wesfeeds Springer Leadfeed Pellets incorporate Bio-Chlor, the latest technology developed in the US for control of milk fever.
Bio-Chlor is a more palatable source of anions than anionic salts, is more readily accepted by cows, and is therefore more reliable for prevention of milk fever.
Bio-Chlor also provides a high quality source of protein (approx. 47% crude protein of which 55% is bypass protein) which helps maintain a steady nitrogen level in the rumen, thus increasing dry matter digestibility and intake.
Milk production increase
Experience in the US, New Zealand and Australia indicates that Bio-Chlor will increase milk production on average by 4 litres/day throughout the lactation. This is due to the unique combination of reduced clinical and sub-clinical milk fever (1.5 litres/day) and increased intake (2.5 litres/day).
Local experience with Wesfeeds Springer Cow Pellets would indicate that these benefits are also achievable under conditions in WA.
Increased intake and increased milk production makes it profitable to feed Springer Cow Pellets to heifers and at times of the year when milk fever is less prevalent.
Broad spectrum
Wesfeeds Springer Leadfeed Pellets are designed to not only reduce the risk of milk fever, but also reduce other metabolic diseases.
Monensin is included to assist with ketosis, additional magnesium assists with grass tetany and added minerals and vitamins guard against possible deficiencies and may reduce retained afterbirth.
The cereal grain content is a valuable source of energy while preparing the rumen for higher grain feeding levels in the dairy with less risk of digestive upsets.
As well as giving production benefits, feeding Springer Pellets saves time treating sick cows.
Daily feeding rates - Springer Leadfeed Pellets
Second calving (or later) cows 3 kg
Cows on high potash pastures 4 kg
Cows with a history of milk fever 4 kg
Heifers 2 kg
Specifications (Dry matter basis)
Metabolisable energy (min.) 11.0 MJ/kg
Crude Protein (min.) 18.0 %
Crude Fibre (max.) 14.5 %
Includes Bio-Chlor, cereal grains, bran and pollard, monensin, magnesium sulphate, minerals and vitamins.
Wesfeeds Springer Cow pellets do not contain meatmeal or urea. Do not feed to horses.
Mineral mixes designed for lactating cows are not suitable for springers and certain mineral levels may actually increase the incidence of milk fever.
Other transition management tips
Springer cows should receive pasture if it will be available after calving. Pasture should not be heavily fertilised with potassium fertilisers. Springer Leadfeed Pellets, hay and/or silage should be offered before pasture to limit pasture intake.
Do not feed the lactating ration to springer cows as it may contain high calcium, salt, sodium bicarbonate, Causmag or dicalcium phosphate levels, which can increase milk fever incidence.
Ensure the cows are able to eat to appetite before and after calving.
Cows that bag up too much, or drip milk, should be milked before calving, and their calves fed colostrum from other cows.
Other products
Wesfeeds offer a range of feeds to balance the diet of lactating cows and feeds designed for specific situations including Ultra-Grow Milk Replacer and Calf Pellets, heifer growing and steer finishing rations, and Dairy Balancer Pellets for inclusion in home mixed grain rations.
Quality
Wesfeeds products are produced to exacting standards with regular monitoring of ingredients and finished feeds to ensure specifications are guaranteed. We adhere to the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for the Feed Milling Industry and are committed to best practice in all our processes. We are accredited to the SQF 2000 quality system standard encompassing HACCP.