Unsettled Conditions

Cold and unsettled weather has reduced grass growth.

•Grass growth rates are struggling, with big variations between locations.
•Grass regrowth after grazing has reduced.
•If stocked at 2.5 cows per hectare and allocating 15 kgs DM per cow per day.
•The total demand is 37.5 kgs per day, while the growth rate is less than 25 kg of DM per ha per day.
•Grass covers are reducing, grass growth is not keeping pace with demand.

Unsettled Conditions

•The cold weather has increased the risk of Grass Tetany.
•Use concentrate to fill the intake gap.
•Leafy high oil, low cover grass can reduce butterfat percentage, indicating acidosis.
•Introduce some long roughage as a source of fibre to improve cudding.
•This will help to dry up dungs and get more performance from grass.

Breeding

•The breeding season is getting closer, high dietary intake is critical.
•Avoid major changes and build body condition.
•Spend as much time as possible at heat detection.
•Keep feeding minerals, cows need to be on a rising plane of nutrition.
•Supplement with magnesium to prevent Grass Tetany.

Prevention

•Increase the level of comfort.
•Keep calf sheds well bedded.
•Do not overstock calf sheds.
•Unsure that calves always have long fibre and fresh clean water available.
•There are big variations between day and night temperatures.
•Avoid draughts that chill calves.
•Keep calves thriving, calves suffer when fed low quality forage.

For more information, please contact your local GAIN Business Manager, branch or visit glanbiaconnect.com.

First Published: 13 April 2021