How to manage a Dry Cow
A cow or heifer during the last 8 weeks of pregnancy is referred to as a Dry Cow. Feeding your incalf animal at this stage is critical. It should be taken seriously because failure to that has devastating effects, she may fail to stand up before or after calving and milk yield may be affected negatively after calving.
Nutrition plan should change at 7 months incalf. You should swicth from use of heifer mineral lick or milk producing animal mineral lick that has high calcium to Dry mineral lick. Ensure that you provide the incalf animal with enough fodder and concentrates. We recommend use of high energy concentrates like maizegerm upto 4 Kg per day. This will ensure that she has the correct body condition score.
Did you know that your incalf animal should not show more than 3 ribs?
We recommend reduction of the amount of silage provided to the cow by 50%. This will serve to prevent twisting of the abomasum. You should substitute it with higher quality feeds (Bhoma rhode hay or Fresh Super Napier grass) in order to prevent starvation
You should stop milking your cow at least 8 weeks to calving. Mastitis prevention should be done. The type of mastitis that affects dry cows is called summer mastitis. There are intramamary infusion preparations that are commercially available for this purpose.
Introduction of dry mineral lick. This type of mineral contains low amounts of Calcium. It helps your cow mobilize Calcium to enhance health and prevent risk of milk fever.
Udder development is key for higher yields.
Proper steaming up and transitional cow management will help you hit a profitable milk-yield peak faster, counter reduced appetite and problems like milk fever and ketosis at a go!
Steaming up should begin three weeks prior to calving. This helps prepare your cow for higher milk production after parturition. This is done through provision of high quality feeds like dairymeal upto 5 Kg/day, Tranzpro® 18 days before calving and 36 days after calving and slightly higher quantity of dairymeal during the last 2 weeks (Upto 5 Kg per day). During the last week of pregnancy, do not introduce mineral lick suitable for lactating cows because it might disrupt calcium balance in blood leading to milk fever. Keep observing for eminent signs of calving so that proper is given to the dam and the calf at parturition.
After calving down, milk the cow and give your calf colostrum before 6 hours are over. Additionally, feed your cow with mineral lick meant for milking cows that typically has high levels of Calcium. Reintroduce high quality fodder as well and the right quantities of dairymeal. To learn more on how to make Total Mixed Ration, click here.
