Seasonal and split calving herds have positive benefits for farmers with optimising herd productivity and utilising pasture quality and supply, labour availability, milk prices and climate.

With the Autumn calving season approaching it's important to prepare in advance for a successful transition period to reduce the risk of metabolic disorders such as hypocalcaemia, optimising milk volume and increasing conception rates.

The preparation starts with managing the dry cows and accessing BCS's before calving; the ideal BCS is 4.5-5.5 on a scale of 1 to 8. Less than a BCS of 4.5, you will need to look at supplementing your pasture/hay. A cow that is less than 4.5 at calving will be in a negative energy balance and may have trouble getting pregnant again. Cows with a BCS score of more than 5.5 are more at risk of metabolic disorders such as ketosis and fatty liver due to the high mobilisation of tissues and reduced DMI. It's essential to evaluate the herd for the optimum body condition score with no more than 15% of the total herd at a BCS below 4.5 or above 5.5.

Cows that experience heat stress during the dry period may have a reduction in udder development, and therefore a reduction in future milk production. Providing additional shade in paddocks and placing water trou

Selecting the appropriate hay for your springers should be done before calving. A sample can be sent to the forage laboratory to evaluate the forage's DCAD levels with consideration for the transition period and be fed with a lead feed or as a partial/ total mixed ration. A transition period of at least 21 days prepartum allows the rumen time to transition back onto a lead feed; maximising rumen function, energy metabolism and metabolisable protein. There is a considerable demand for glucose for foetus development and synthesis lactose postpartum, increasing liver glucose production due to the requirements being double during this time. Propionate, a volatile fatty acid, is produced in the rumen from fermentable carbohydrates' fermentation and is the primary precursor from which glucose in the liver is produced.  

Highly fertilised and rapidly growing pastures in Autumn for fresh cows have lower magnesium concentrations, a vital mineral involved in every major metabolic pathway.           

Barastoc has a range of feeds for every stage of life, from milk replacers to lactation feeds. For advice on which feed is suitable for your situation please contact our Ridley Sales & Support team on 1300 666 657 or email enquiries@ridley.com.au.  To learn more about our products visit our website: www.ridley.com.au/products/packaged-products/dairy/