Making the most of grass to maximise cow condition
Making the most of grass to maximise cow condition
By Marianne Curtis
PRECISE management of suckler cow condition could save £25 a cow in winter feed costs. But allowing cows to become too thin at inappropriate times in their production cycle is bad for profits as well as health and welfare, according to ADAS.
Speaking to producers at a MAFF/ADAS suckler campaign meeting held in Damerham, Hants, ADAS beef consultant Elwyn Rees stressed the importance of correct cow condition.
"The ability of cows to mobilise body reserves can be exploited to financial gain. Grass is the cheapest feed and grazing should be maximised in summer to improve cow condition. Providing they are in good condition at housing, autumn calving cows can afford to lose one condition score over winter."
When cows are too thin at housing, feeding them to put on one condition score requires 600kg of barley or 2.5t of silage, costing £50. "This is because cows are inefficient at gaining weight," he explained.
Cows should be condition scored two months before service and before housing, advised Dr Rees.
"Condition scoring is important for cow welfare, husbandry and to ensure good performance. It will mean fewer calving difficulties and calf losses and better fertility."
When condition scoring, take account of breed, warned Dr Rees. "A Belgian Blue cross may appear to be in good condition but what you are feeling is muscle and the cow may be carrying little fat. However, with a Holstein cross animal it may appear thin but be carrying more fat than you think."
Target condition scores for autumn calvers should be three at calving, 2.5 to three at service and two at turnout.
"The service condition score of 2.5 to three should be maintained for two months after conception to prevent embryo loss. By turnout cows shouldnt score higher than two; it is more efficient to offer calves creep feed rather than feed cows for milk at this stage of their production cycle."
Spring calving cows should score three at housing, falling to two by calving and turnout, allowing winter feed savings. By service they should have reached condition score 2.5 and be gaining condition, he advised.
"It is important for cows to be on a rising plane of nutrition when they are put to the bull, otherwise calving interval will be extended." For a cow scoring one at service, she is less likely to hold, typically resulting in a 400-day calving interval, whereas a cow scoring three should have a 365-day calving interval.
Calves of cows in poor condition should be weaned early, said Dr Rees. "There is a 38% difference in energy requirement between a late lactation cow compared with one at maintenance."
Energy requirements also vary according to breed, with Continentals having a much higher requirement than native breeds, he explained. "A 700kg Charolais cross cow has a maintenance requirement of 75MJ ME a day; 36% higher than a 500kg Angus cross, requiring only 55MJ a day."
A good rule of thumb for calculating cow maintenance requirements is to divide cow liveweight by 10 and add five, said Dr Rees.
Heifers require particular attention, he added. "The worst case of infertility I saw involved Simmental cross first lactation heifers which were being fed insufficiently for growth. Aim for a condition score of 2.5 and offer a high energy supplement if you have any doubts."
Optimising cow condition from grazed grass is the key to low winter feed bills, says Elwyn Rees.
CONDITIONSCORING
• Score at housing and service.
• Be aware of breed.
• Exploit grass as a cheap feed.