Transition cow management

Background:

Transition cow management is one of the most significant advances in dairy nutrition and production over the past 20 years. It can improve cow health, milk production and reproductive performance. However, a Dairy Australia survey found only 65% farmers use it, and only half of those use an approach capable of meeting all the cow's nutritional needs.

In response, Dairy Australia has developed a set of transition cow management resources.

Our Grains2Milk and InCalf programs and are delivering training activities to farmers and advisers across Australia.

Farmer profile:

• Luke Fitzpatrick
• Location: Warakirri Dairies’ Welbourne dairy farm, near Colac
• 570 cows 

Situation:

“Before we used the transition ration we spent all our time and energy early in the season chasing our tails with sick cows. It was disheartening and distracted our attention away from looking after the whole herd properly.”

Action:

Mr Fitzpatrick put in place a balanced transition diet to suit the farm. About three weeks before their calving date, cows and heifers were moved to the main ‘springer paddock’ fairly close to thedairy, where they received a transition diet.

Cows spent the last few days before calving at a nearby ‘calving shed’ where they continued to receive the transition diet and had access to a shed that provided shelter from the weather.The transition ration was a mix of grain, protein meal, anionic salts, a miner-al supplement and a caramel flavouring. Itwas fed at a rate of four kilograms/cow/day, usually in troughs in the paddock.

Results:

The transition program virtually eliminated assisted calvings, retained membranes and cow deaths in early lactation. Milk production, cow condition and herd fertility also improved.

        “Feeding the transition ration paid big dividends 
          in time and money”

“It is so much easier to prepare the rumen for grain-feeding in the bale than to treat sick cows."