2001 July

Achieving a peak beyond 30 litres

There are many herds in the district that peak beyond 30 litres, or above 2.0kg of milk solids. This was once regarded as an achievement only reached by high genetic potential cows. To reach this level of production is not simply a matter of having lower stocking rates, or a good start to the season. It is a combination of a number of management strategies that are implemented with precision and regularly monitored.

What are some of these management strategies?

Condition score of at least 5 at drying off
First calvers of above average size
Provision of at least 10kg per day (100mj) of dry cow feed daily
Introduction of concentrates to the pre calving diet at least 2 weeks before calving
Use of anionic salts in the lead feed
Efficient handling of fresh cows such that they are never without feed
A grazing management system that avoids cows needing to work hard to consume pastures. This means that pastures are grazed only to 1600 - 1800kg DM.
Provision of over 20kg dry matter of feed daily. Depending on stocking rate and seasonal conditions, cows may be offered 5-10kg of concentrates (as fed) per day.
Use of Eskalin( to reduce the effects of subclinical acidosis from highly soluble carbohydrates in pastures and grains.
Provision of at least 2kg of hay or straw per day to improve rumen function given the low fibre content of fresh pastures and grain.
Addition of magnesium and calcium (magnesium oxide and lime) to the concentrates.

Invariably farmers with high producing herds have been achieving better than average cow performance for many years. They will most likely be affective managers in many aspects of farming including pasture management and animal health. There are likely to be few lower PI cows in these herds since a long term culling programs will have been in place.
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Disposal of Used Needles

We have arranged a service for the disposal of used needles and other medical sharps. Yellow sharps containers are available from the Timboon Veterinary Group. When the containers are filled return the sealed container to the clinic. The cost of this service is $10 per container.
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Treating Non-cycling Cows

In the past few years there have been 3 major changes to our recommendations for the treatment of non-cycling cows (NVO's).

Field trials have been conducted on an ongoing basis and recent results confirm that these changes result in more non-cyclers in calf to AI, and that the programs are economically sound.

So, what are these changes?

Fine tuning medication

A combination of CIDR'S, oestradiol, and prostaglandin given at the correct timing allows the majority of non cyclers to be presented for

Early Identification and treatments of NVO's

In the past we would examine and treat non-cyclers 3 - 3 1/2 weeks after mating start date (MSD). While the response to treatment was very good, it meant that these cows cycled 4 - 41/2 weeks into joining, and in most AI programs, had only one chance to conceive to AI.

If we identify the non-cyclers prior to MSD it means that the first insemination is very early in the joining period, and they have at least one more chance to conceive to AI.

Retreatment of mated Non-cyclers

The InCalf study results and recent trial work has allowed us to identify a group of cows called "phantoms." These are cows that cycle and are inseminated but then fail to show any further signs of heat for many weeks, despite not being in calf.

They are the cows that you believe are pregnant but are only identified as empty when they cycle weeks later or are picked up at pregnancy testing.

Cows that fail to show a heat prior to MSD ie: the non-cyclers; are much more likely to become phantoms.

Retreatment of the non cyclers, using oestradiol and the previously used CIDR, results in a significant reduction in the number of these phantom cows, and an increase in the number of cows in calf to AI. Treatment does not harm those that are already pregnant.

The steps for managing non-cycling cows are:

Identify them early using tail paint, heat mount detectors or observation. Start one month prior to MSD.
Arrange for them to be examined and have the appropriate treatment in the week prior to MSD.
Retreat after the 1st round of inseminations.

Feeding Cows with Higher Milk Prices

The proponents of low grain input farming systems may well be missing an excellent opportunity to generate profit at today's milk prices. Feeding of significant levels of grain is now a widely adopted successful strategy on many dairy farms in Western Victoria.
In the last 15 years we have seen the level of concentrate feeds rise from less than 1/2 tonne per lactation to well over 2 tonnes on some of the higher producing farms.

There is ample evidence to demonstrate that even at the low milk prices, high input feeding strategies will be cost effective under the management of good operators. The focus is on optimising pasture utilisation and maximising cow dry matter intake. This harnesses the efficiency of the cow's lactation such that she continues at significant levels of production for 300 days.

Low concentrate input farmers who already have high pasture utilisation rates, can readily benefit from the rewards of increased grain feeding.

They will see the benefits in:

Better condition score
Higher peak lactation
Slower lactation decline
Improved fertility performance
Higher value of culls

It is difficult to measure immediate responses to grain feeding because of the number of variables that affect production in the short term. The value is measured over the long term. Condition score, for example, will have a flow on effect in the following season.
The impact of substitution on total pasture utilisation over a year will be influenced mostly by stocking rate and seasonal conditions.

At certain times it is an advantage to have substitution to limit pasture intake and reduce pugging. To attain the balance between efficient pasture use and maintaining milk production, there will be times when a compromise is necessary. Higher stocking rates and more aggressive spring pasture management will reduce this need to compromise.

Most farms would obtain a profitable response to feeding at least 1.5 tonnes of grain per cow per lactation. This would typically be achieved by feeding 3-6kg per day, varying with pasture availability. Farmers well accustomed to grain feeding have pushed production yields beyond 300kg fat per cow. Feeding two slugs of grain at milkings reduces the energy efficiency due to the acidosis following the rapid digestion of starch. Strategies used to control acidosis include the use of buffers, rumen modifiers, lower starch content concentrates (eg. lupins, corn) or feeding grain with a mixer wagon. Three times per day milking or using mixer wagons to supply all the feed in stall barns are alternative strategies. Any of these systems, if implemented satisfactorily, has the potential to be profitable, even in tough times.

Dairy farming is a universal agricultural pursuit in which management practices, world wide, are becoming less diverse. We are in the ideal position in Australia, to capitalise on our comparative advantages of climate, feed availability and cost of land. Grain feeding is part of that system and the challenge is to optimise its efficiency in our conditions.
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Benchmarking 2001 - 02

Why Benchmark?

Benchmarking is a very useful tool that enables us to review different farm management strategies. From these, we can identify systems that are related consistently to better financial performance.

From an individual farmer perspective, benchmarking provides two useful outcomes.

It determines, on an annual basis, the economic performance of the farm, with the ability to compare between years using standard costs and income values.
It allows comparisons to be made with other dairy farms within the region.

This is an important and valuable tool since it enables an individual farmer to monitor performance against the more entrepreneurial leaders within the industry. The pace of change in Western Victoria's dairy industry has been substantial in the last 20 years. Benchmarking assists us to keep pace with these changes.

How can benchmarking be simplified?

Many benchmarking programs require detailed inputs of all costs of the business. The program that we offer, includes only the costs that have significant effect on the operating surplus. These are purchased feeds, labour, pasture and crop costs. Outputs are milk and stock income with adjustments made for stock and feed inventory changes.

Rather than ask farmers to provide the actual cost of the feeds, we collect data on the tonnes of feed purchased, area cropped or conserved, and the amount of fertiliser and nitrogen applied.<p>

We then apply a standard value to these that can be applied to each farm each year. This avoids the variations that traditional benchmarking programs have due to different farmer inputs and purchasing prices.

The data input sheet for this information is one page only. It requires minimal effort to complete, for farmers who have recorded feed and fertiliser inputs for the year. There is no financial data required other than milk and stock income. This is because input costs are all standardised.

How will the data be presented back to the farmer?

An individual farm will be benchmarked using three criteria:

Dollar value of milking area and cows combined
Milking area
Cows

The main indices that will be compared using these criteria will be:

Production and income
Production and income less total feed costs

Other performance figures such as pasture utilisation rate, asset turnover ratio and labour costs, will also be compared between farms.

How will this information be collected and presented?

For farmers wishing to participate in this program, the one page data collection sheet will be delivered for completion by 31st July. A visit will not be made to the farm. However, on completion of the sheet, any queries will be sorted out by phone contact.

In mid August, when the data has been compiled ready for presentation, each farmer will receive in the mail, a report detailing their own performance. If there is data provided from previous years for this farm, it will be compared with the current season.

The farm data will then be presented as a comparison with the other farms, (which are represented anonymously) in the program. An individual report will be provided to the farmer highlighting the significant points in the benchmarking comparison.

There will also be an evening meeting of those who contributed to the program, to discuss the results.

What is the cost of the program?

The fee to participate in this program is $250 plus GST ($275). This includes data entry, analysis, the final report and evening meeting and discussion.

For further information on this program, contact The Timboon Veterinary Group office.

Growing grass in winter

It is easy to see the difference in pasture quality and quantity between farms through winter. Some farms, even at high stocking rates, seem to be able to offer a substantial feed base to their herd in late winter.

There are a number of management strategies that these farms commonly adopt to achieve this.

High soil fertility
Regular nitrogen applications through winter (1kg of N/ha/day).
A long rotation after the autumn break followed by a medium rotation of 20-25 days through winter.
Adequate levels of supplementary hay and grain feeding depending on stocking rate and production level.
A spring calving group which takes pressure off the farm in August.
Regular oversowing program.
Annual rye grass crops.
Broadleaf control.
Use of a feed pad in wet conditions.

A combination of several of these is a sound risk management strategy. It is always easy in early winter after a good start, to have a false sense of security and not plan for wet conditions.
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From CountDown DownUnder

A special milking routine for fresh cow

Treating and managing cases of mastitis in a freshly-calved herd can be a nightmare - especially when there is no way of telling if the first few cases represent only the tip of the iceberg. To avoid being overwhelmed with mastitis at calving, it pays to put energy into prevention. A good starting point is to give fresh cows a little extra TLC (tender loving care) when they come into the milking shed the first few times.

Cows are subject to many pressures around calving. Their teats have not been cleaned, disinfected or looked after in any way for the 6 to 8 weeks spent in the dry paddock. When they come into the shed, their udders are probably dirty from the calving pad or paddock. As well, their teats will be slightly swollen with fresh milk and tender to touch.

Any actions that reduce the number of bacteria near the teat end at milking and improve teat health will minimise the risk of new mastitis infections occurring. Having a special routine for fresh cows can help to make this happen.

This routine should include:

Drafting fresh cows and milking them first;
Preparing their teats before every milking for the first 8 milkings; and
Checking foremilk from each quarter for at least the first 8 milkings.

The main advantage of handling fresh cows as a separate mob is that they can be milked before the main herd when the equipment is at its cleanest. A separate mob also makes it possible to take a bit of extra time when bringing the cows into the shed, so they become familiar with the routine and are calm and ready to let-down milk by the time the cups go on. This practice especially benefits young cows coming into the shed for the first time, when both the facilities and milking routine are unfamiliar.

Washing and drying teats before the first few milkings helps to ease cows back into the milking routine. More importantly, it ensures that teat skin is clean at this time, when the udder is highly vulnerable to infection.

Foremilk stripping all quarters of all cows in the colostrum mob is highly recommended by Countdown Downunder because it helps detect and treat early cases of clinical mastitis. A cow has clinical mastitis if the foremilk has clots, wateriness or discolouration that persists for 3 or more squirts.

To give fresh cows that extra attention they need, why not allocate extra staff time in the milking shed for the first few milkings?

Are your machines ready to milk fresh cows?

When freshly-calved cows first come into the shed their teats are no longer soft and supple and accustomed to being milked. If there was ever a time for taking extra care to ensure the milking machine is not doing damage, this is it.

It can take a few milkings for teats to re-acclimatise to the milking machine after calving. During this time, it is important to keep machine comfort factors high, including keeping the vacuum strength to a minimum.

Things to look for are:

Poor condition of teatcup liners.

Make sure that teatcup liners are not nearing the end of their effective life (2500 cow milkings for rubber liners). It is NOT good policy to use older liners that have been "worn in" on heifers. All liners develop very small cracks over time, even if they are not obvious. These cracks can harbour bacteria - including the bacteria that cause mastitis.

Effective pulsation from the milking machine.

Make sure that the machine has been recently serviced. Then you can be confident that the tight, tender teats of freshly-calved cows are being massaged effectively by pulsation during milking.

Appropriate height for test buckets for those who have high-line sheds and use test buckets on fresh cows.

If the test bucket is used at or below the height of the claw, there is a risk of damaging teat health because the extra vacuum needed to lift milk into the milk-line will be operating at the cluster. This issue can be avoided by milking the fresh cows as a separate group through the normal milking system and diverting the milk from the vat.

Healthy teats rely on the good operation and use of milking machines. The daily and weekly checks of machine function listed in the Countdown Downunder Farm Guidelines for Mastitis Control will alert you to emerging problems.

This article has been modified from the Countdown Downunder Farm Guidelines.