Select Sires

SELECTIONS - Fall 2006
Develop Consistency
in Your Transition Cow Program

By Rob Hamaker, Agrarian Marketing Corporation

With all the research and extensive articles on proper dry cow transition and fresh cow care, most experts agree that these groups are of utmost importance. The management of these critical periods will determine the success of lactation, reproduction and cow health. When talking to successful dairy producers and asking them why they do what they do, it is usually followed by “it works and we have always done it like this.” I believe herein lies the answer - consistency. Find where the holes are in your operation, work to fix them, and then repeat what works with consistency.

Newborn Calf and Cow

Getting fresh cows off to a healthy start after calving will reap rewards toward achieving high milk production, maximizing reproduction, and avoiding metabolic disorders. Research shows a well managed transition cow program (starting three weeks prepartum to three weeks postpartum) can increase milk production 1,200 pounds or more while reducing milk fever to less than 5 percent, displaced abomasums to under 3 percent and ketosis to less than 2 percent. Additional research also indicates that mastitis at freshening delays days to first service.

Most dairies that are successful in transitioning fresh cows follow these basic recommendations:

Establish proper body condition at dry off and maintain proper condition through the dry period. The dry period is not the time to make body condition adjustments.
Establish a dry off program that has a proven track record for mastitis “cures” and prevention during this critical period.
During the transition and fresh cow period, feed a palatable, high quality ration and routinely monitor intakes. Provide plenty of effective fiber for the rumen.
Avoid overcrowding with extra bunk space especially if you are co-mingling heifers with mature cows.
Provide a good supply of fresh clean water.
Pay extra attention to the needs of these groups – watch them closely.

University of Illinois research shows that cows with higher intakes had fewer incidences of metabolic disorders. Those cows experiencing displaced abomasums (DAs) or ketosis produced nearly 2,000 pounds less milk during their lactation.

Additional research shows the interaction between metabolic disorders. Cows experiencing milk fever were four times more at risk for retained placenta and 24 times more at risk for ketosis than cows with no milk fever. There was also an increase in ketosis cases in cows that experienced a retained placenta, DA or milk fever.

For many years, direct-fed microbials have been fed during the transition period to help cows adjust to the increased level of stress at freshening. Many successful dairy producers can attest to their effectiveness. They are definitely not a replacement to the earlier-mentioned recommendations but they can supply key ingredients that compliment any well-run transition program.

BioFresh® Bolus and BioFresh® Plus Soluble are two direct-fed microbial products that are used on dairies across the U.S. Feedback from producers report cows returning to feed quicker and a reduction in metabolic disorders.

University Research Proves Effectiveness of BioFresh Bolus
Research at Southern Illinois University shows a reduction of linear somatic cell count in cows over 300,000 SCC when using BioFresh Boluses for three consecutive days. This is not an intra-mammary action, therefore an improvement in immune function must be considered.

BioFresh Plus Soluble = BioFresh Bolus + Niacin + Calcium Propionate
BioFresh Plus Soluble comes in a powder form and is designed to be mixed with a minimum of 10 ounces of water. BioFresh Plus Soluble can be easily aministered using an EASY DRENCHER. This bottle doser is different from the conventional pumping method of drenching. You simply pour BioFresh Plus Soluble in the cow’s mouth, minimizing the risk of pouring it into the cow’s lungs. A 3-ounce dose of BioFresh Plus Soluble contains the equivalent ingredients of: one BioFresh Bolus, 12 grams of niacin and 54 grams of calcium propionate. A package of BioFresh Plus Soluble can be purchased for less than the price of a tube of calcium gel (most gel products contain about 50 grams of calcium). Using the EASY DRENCHER as the doser, it is much easier to administer than drenching. The size of the EASY DRENCHER also allows you to add other ingredients such as propylene glycol to be administered in a single dose.

Many factors can affect the success of the transition period. However, once it is working properly, consistency is key. A properly working transition period can improve production, reproduction, herd health and, most importantly, your bottom line.

®BioFresh is a registered trademark of Agrarian Marketing Corporation, Middlebury, Ind.

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Select Sires Inc., 11740 U.S. 42 North, Plain City, Ohio 43064 / Phone: (614) 873-4683 Fax: (614) 873-5751