ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1929, Page 7

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

CARE OF DAIRY COWS IN WINTER

BY THE DEx .-vRTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The seasonal production of milk in the dairying centres of New Zealand is at a low ebb at the present time. The majority off the dairy herds are dried off and the cows are enjoying a much needed rest from production. There are several methods of drying-off cows, some owners preferring one method and some preferring another. The main object should be in all cases to leave the udder in such a condition that the tendency for inflammation in the organ is reduced to a minimum. The usual method is gradually to increase the time between each milking. In the case of some high-producing animals considerable difficulty is experienced at times in drying-off animals. It would appear that nothing short of starvation in these rare cases is sufficient to prevent milk-secretion, and in such cases it is more desirable to continue milking throughout than to deprive the animal of a sufficient food supply. The pregnant cow, whether producing or not, has to meet the demands of a developing foetus besides maintaining her condition, or as is more to he desired, the building up of a deficit as a result o'f the last season’s production and also a reserve for the subsequent season’s production. When these points are considered it will be seen that the maintenance of the food supply during the winter months is of first importance. As the growth o r grass is not sufficient to meet demands auxiliary supplementary feeding is necessary. In many cases roots and hay are the only supplementary foods available, but of later years there is mo>‘ •ind more ensilage being used for winter feeding. Good ensilage as a foodstuff is superior in Ifeeding value to roots alone, and about equal to roots combined with a liberal allowance of good hay. Inferior ensilage on the other hand has • low food value, due to the effect of harmful acids of fermentation. In connection with the winter feeding of dairy cows, especially where roots or ehou-m oilier form the major portion of the ration, there is a danger of the trouble known as “red-water” occurring. This trouble is apparently due ro too much bulky watery food and can be prevented by combining hay with the root ration. Moreover, the cow is more benefited and maintains better condition when roots are not used to excess and when fed in conjunction with a quantity of well-saved hay. Lucerne hay or clover hay is more valuable on account of its containing a higher percentage of calcium and protein, very necessary elements in the development of the unborn calf. Frosts (■d roots are dangerous and they may cause severe indigestion and bloating Occasionally trouble is experienced when feeding ensilage to cattle, and here again the excessive use of ensilage alone is in many cases the cause of the trouble. An attempt should be made to combine hay with a watery food such as ensilage, roots, and chou-mol-!ier. in far too many cases no attempt is made to balance the cow’s .winter ration on account of n universal shortage of concentrates, but where available a small daily ration of a concentrate rich in protein such as some of the recognised cattle cakes should be used. From feeding experiments which have been carried out it has been shown that the extra return in milk yield from cows receiving a concentrate ration has more than paid for the increased cost of feeding. There is also the satisfaction that an attempt is being made to balance a ration which is otherwise much too bulky with an excess off water and starches. It is a noteworthy fact also that in town supply herds where concentrate feeding in winter is necessary to maintain the milk supply, many troubles to which dairy cows are prone, are not so prevalent.

in connection with mangold feeding of cows occasionally, it is forgotten that these i;oots require to be stored for some weeks before feeding in order to prevent loss from an otherwise valuable root crop. If the above points are borne in mind a considerable reduction in the winter mortality of dairy cows from indigestive troubles it should be.effected.

/ Almost every winter cases are reported of cows dying ifrom paralysis before or after calving. After investigation it is quite apparent in some cases that the animals have not received sufficient food during the winter. If cows are worth keeping it always pa.vs to feed them well. A scarcity of winter feed is merely a question of mismanagement of tlie balance between summer and winter requirements. It is always safe to provide a quantity of hay in excess off apparent- requirements. Any excess may be held over, or may be fed with advantage during the spring months. A saving of winter feeding may be effected by the provision of shelter and warmth. During the digestion and absorption of food a certain amount is required to repair waste, to maintain condition, to provide for the developing calf, and to maintain tlie beat of the body. If then the heat of the body is maintained by the provision of shelter •from ground hedges, or by tlie use of covers for the cattle, less food is required for heat production, with a consequent improvement of condition in such animals. In certain bleak districts or areas subject to flooding during the winter months enough attention lias not been paid to the provision of adequate shelter. In many cases, also, the method adopted of feeding out hay in the paddocks is a wasteful method. , A portion is lost through being trodden into the

ground and destroyed by rain, Hay fed out of movable hay racks would be an advantage over the usual broadcast method.

The feeding of dairy cows over |he dry period is, therefore, off some importance from the point of production in a subsequent season. Particular attention should be paid to this season, as the time to build up condition and reserves, with a view to warding off attacks of disease. Tlie animal’s' resisting powers are reinforced by good food, and as a consequence one expects less trouble from paralysis and other ills which occur about calving time.