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Unlocking dairy herd potential: three practical approaches
English editorial edition of an archived AGYE article. Historical products, figures and programmes reflect the original publication. Read the original French article ↗
Dairy farmers must balance animal welfare and health with the productivity needed to sustain the business. This archived article considers three areas that influence performance throughout a cow’s life.
1. Feed calves well
The first 12 weeks influence development, future breeding, milk production and productive life. Good early nutrition is therefore an investment in both welfare and long-term farm performance.
Five areas to check
Colostrum: provide good-quality colostrum promptly after birth. The original French article cites 3–4 litres as early as possible, preferably in the first hour, and also describes subsequent amounts of 2 litres within six hours and 1–2 litres within twelve hours. Those archived figures should not be read as a single universal protocol; establish the farm’s colostrum plan with its adviser.
Cleanliness: keep calving and calf housing areas clean and dry, and clean feeding equipment using appropriate hygiene procedures.
Comfort: provide dry, bright, well-ventilated accommodation and comfortable bedding.
Calories: supply highly digestible nutrition to support immunity, growth and future performance. The article describes intensive milk replacer feeding for eight weeks followed by gradual weaning over two to four weeks.
Consistency: use a dependable feeding and cleaning programme and stable, good-quality ingredients, including milk replacer, grain and other feeds appropriate to the animals.
2. Support a smooth transition
The move from the dry period into lactation involves major metabolic and physiological changes. Digestible, balanced nutrition and management that reduces metabolic stress help cows through this period. Better transition management can support health, milk production, fertility and longevity.
Four practical areas
Overcrowding: excessive stocking can increase stress and reduce feed intake. The source recommends at least 75 cm, or 30 inches, of feed space per cow, together with adequate lying space.
Comfort: effective cooling and ventilation during hot weather help reduce heat-related strain. The dry period is part of transition management too.
Cleanliness: clean, dry housing and calving areas help limit exposure to infection during a vulnerable period.
Inflammation: nutritional strategies and functional feed additives may form part of the farm’s approach, particularly in relation to digestive health. Their use should be assessed with the relevant adviser.
3. Know what you are feeding
Checking feed ingredients is a starting point for meeting nutritional needs without unnecessary excess. Fresh grass, silage and other ingredients can be tested on farm or analysed with a nutrition adviser.
Nutrient and mycotoxin results help assess new ingredients, reformulate rations and investigate potential issues before intake, rumen function, health or fertility are affected.
Improving these three areas—early calf feeding, cow transitions and feed monitoring—can support economic performance while making better use of resources.