Nursing a downer cow 2

Fodder beet 3

Colostrum and calf management 4

Transition Period Management 5

New bobby calf regulations 6

Meat withholding for bobby calves 7

Drenching adult dairy cows 8

Inside What’s

DAIRY MOOSLETTER

SOUTHERN RANGITIKEI VETERINARY SERVICES LIMITED

233 State Highway 1 Bulls & 48 Tutaenui Road Marton

Spring is just around the corner so this newsletter is packed full of useful spring

time information, as well as some tips for winter management.

We held an informative day on interesting topics last week, including colostrum

management and heifer rearing. Jordan gave a summary of the lameness issues we

have dealt with this year (over 500 cows seen by us!). He gave a good description

of how the different types of lameness are classified; ways to improve the inci-

dence of lameness and areas to concentrate spending money on were also dis-

cussed. We finished the afternoon off with pathologist Dr. Geoff Orbell giving us a

better insight into Theileria and mechanisms of the disease. Tim Scotland also

summarised the latest leptospirosis research coming out of Massey University—we

certainly are lucky to have one of the leading lepto researchers right on our door

step!

Heifer teat sealing is well under way. Just a reminder for those of you getting us to

insert the teat seal it really is in your benefit to run the heifers through the shed as

many times as possible, and row them up. We have had a couple of farms lately

where it has taken longer to row the heifers up than to insert the teat seal. It really

is in the best interest of the bill payer to make this as smooth and fast as possible

as it is a time based service! Don’t forget we need hot water as well, so ensure the

hot water cylinder is switched on!

With calving just around the corner, we have both our Calf Rearing Seminar and

Spring first aid seminar coming up (see adverts in the newsletter for the dates).

These seminars are aimed at new staff, especially those new to the industry, who

you want to get a sounder base of spring time problems.

JUNE 2017

233 State Highway 1, Bulls

48 Tutaenui Road, Marton

Email: team@srvs.co.nz

www.srvs.co.nz

Tel (06) 3222 333

Rumensin Premix Changing to 20%

This year Elanco have changed their Rumensin premix from 10% concentration to 20%. The product will be known as Rumensin

20% Millmix. It is a granular, dust-free formulation that contains 20% Rumensin active. Because the concentration has doubled

this means that the daily cow dose rate is reduced to 1.5g per cow per day. Therefore, each 25kg bag contains twice as many

doses (16,666, compared with 8,333). A 25kg bag of the 20% product costs $396 ex GST, which decreases the cost per dose from

2.45c from a 10% bag to 2.38c.

With such a small dose it is extremely important that the product is well mixed to ensure it is spread as evenly as possible for all

cows to get their dose.

*$100 will be credited to invoice

Note product MUST be

ordered by June 30,

Payment due 20th October

There is continual debate on the benefit of drenching adult dairy cows against intestinal worms. The trial data shows that if adult cows

are going to drenched then the most potent available product should be used and the best time to administer the drench is at calving.

Eprinomectin is the most potent ML product to use and we have two products available - Eprinex® pour on or Nexeprin® Microject injec-

tion. Both have nil milk withhold periods.

There are two options available: either to drench each cow as part of your post calving treatment protocol at their first milking, or to

drench the entire herd immediately prior to the start of calving however if you do this Eprinex® needs to be used. This is because

Nexeprin® has a 14 day meat withhold period and so is not suitable for administration prior to calving. Nexeprin® does

contain vitamin E as well as the eprinomectin.

The price of Eprinex® PO is $4.96 per 500kg cow for either the 5 or 25 litre packs, but $5.25 per 500kg cow for a 20 litre pack.

The price of Nexeprin® microject is $4.13 per 500kg cow dose. All prices quoted exclude GST.

Drenching adult dairy cows

With our industry under the spotlight once more (due to animal rights groups such as SAFE) and it is important we look to our current practices and ensure we are delivering care, with animal welfare at the forefront of our minds. One situation where animal welfare can become compromised is in the treatment and nursing of ‘downer cows’. There are a large number of reasons cows may be unable to rise, but regardless of the initial cause, if the cow doesn’t get up within a few hours, nursing care becomes an integral part of the ongoing treatment and welfare of these animals. In as little as 6 hours laying on a hard surface, the muscle and nerve damage in the leg on which the cow is laying can become the big-gest reason she is unable to stand, despite appropriate treatment of the original problem.

Initial steps to take when you find a down cow:

• Immediately: is she in an unsafe environment/position (under an electric fence, in stream or deep puddle, on a slippery surface e.g. concrete, on a steep slope facing downhill, lying on her side etc)? Get her in sternal recumbency and move if necessary.

• Establish a diagnosis ASAP: this may mean ringing for advice or getting us out on farm. • Treat the problem (where appropriate) ASAP: obviously some problems, such as a fractured leg, aren’t treatable and

the cow should be immediately euthanased. The sooner appropriate treatment is initiated in almost all downer cases, the better the prognosis.

• If she still isn’t up within a few hours: reconsider the original diagnosis and treatment plan (this may mean calling us again), consider whether you have the labour power and time to deliver adequate nursing care – if not, reconsider euthanasia.

Nursing care: Bedding Obviously lying on a hard surface will only increase damage to already compressed muscles. If a cow is down on a race, feed pad or yard ALWAYS move her. Bedding should be clean, dry and soft. Ideally a deep bedding of hay, straw, sawdust or sand should be used, though this isn’t always possible. A clean paddock with decent pasture cover will always be better than a wet muddy one. A down cow can easily be moved by tying her head to a back leg with a halter and rolling her into a front loader – then drive with extreme care. Shelter Cows can quickly get cold and tired when not eating or moving, they can equally get very hot if left directly in the sun with no shelter. Keeping cows warm when they are down will not only keep them more comfortable, but it also increases blood flow in the extremities increasing the chances of a successful recovery. Bailage and hay bales can provide very good wind and shelter brakes, along with cow covers and tarpaulins for keeping rain and direct sunlight off. Obviously a deeply bedded draft free barn would be a perfect nursing place for a down cow. Rolling Cows should be rolled from side to side once every few hours if they cannot change the leg they are lying on themselves. This shares the load between each back leg, decreasing the damage to important nerves and muscles while increasing blood flow. Lifting This is an important area where welfare can be compromised due to not understanding the rules. The Code of Welfare in Dairy Cattle, 2016 states:

• If hip clamps are used they must be removed if the cow cannot promptly support her own weight. • Cows must not be transported, so that all her weight is carried by the hip clamps and vehicle. • Cows suspended in a sling must be able to breathe freely, not suffer unnecessary discomfort, and be lowered from the

sling if they are unable to support their own weight after one hour.

Lifting should not be attempted unless it is EFFECTIVE and SUPERVISED. Effective means the cow is bearing some of her own weight when lifted, this means she cannot hang or swing from hip lifters or slouch in a sling. When she ceases to bear weight, put her back on the ground. Lifting must always be supervised, NEVER leave a cow in hip lifters alone, even if she appears comfortable and is bearing a lot of her own weight. Placing a belly strap or strop under the chest can also help distribute some weight and pressure.

Nursing a downer cow

The ACVM group of MPI have provided information which has resulted in a review of the meat withhold times for bobby

calves if the calves have been exposed to a RVM product in any form. The basic rule of thumb now is that a 91 day meat

withhold period will apply in these situations. Obviously resulting in the calf not being able to be slaughtered as a

bobby.

• If a calf is directly administered an antimicrobial product it must not be submitted for slaughter as a bobby calf.

• If a pregnant cow is treated with a RVM and calves within the meat withhold period of that product, then the

default meat withhold time for the calf is 91 days.

• If a calf is fed milk from a cow that was treated with an RVM and that milk is still within the withhold period, then

the default 91 day meat withhold period applies again.

Dry Cow Therapy (DCT) products have a milk withhold period consisting of two components:

a. A period following treatment (e.g. 28-49 days depending on the product used), which is also known as the

prenatal treatment interval, or the treatment to calving interval: plus

b. 8 milkings following calving, the “colostrum period”.

1. If a cow calves within the milk withhold time, including the 8 additional milkings, of a DCT product the default

milk withhold period of 91 days applies. So if a DCT product with a 35 day milk withhold period is used and a

cow calves within the 35 days + 8 milkings all of that milk can not be fed to bobby calves, i.e. a cow calving at

day 30 of the 35 day withhold period - the milk can not be fed to bobby calves for 5 days (the remaining 5 days

of the withhold period) + 8 milkings. If this milk is unfortunately fed to bobby calves the 91 day meat withhold

time applies.

2. If a cow calves outside the milk withhold time of a DCT product—that milk is suitable to be fed to bobby calves.

This means that if a DCT with a 35 day milk withhold period is used and a cow calves outside that 35 day period

(i.e. day 36) then the colostrum or milk may be fed to bobby calves. This includes the colostrum collected

during the initial 8 milking post calving period.

Medicated milk replacers must not be fed to bobby calves – this is milk replacers that contain coccidiostats or other

therapeutic veterinary medicines.

Milk that is suitable to be fed to bobby calves is:

Colostrum or milk from cows that have not been treated in the current season with an animal remedy,

Colostrum or milk from cows treated with DCT products that have calved outside the milk withhold period

(treatment to calving withhold period),

Milk from cows treated with any animal remedy other than DCT where that milk is harvested outside the product

label milk withhold period.

Meat withholding periods for bobby calves – they have changed

New Bobby Calf Regulations for 2017

Most off you will be aware that MPIs new regulations for bobby calves take effect this year.

They affect any farmer sending calves off farm for sale or slaughter, transport operators and meat processors of

young calves. If the regulations are not complied with then you could face fines, or no longer be able to transport

calves off farm.

The changes taking effect this year are:

• Maximum time off feed before slaughter – young calves must be slaughtered as soon as possible after

arrival at the slaughter premises. Maximum time off feed is 24 hours.

• Requirements for loading and unloading – loading and unloading facilities must be provided when

young calves are transported for sale or slaughter. This means that calves can walk onto and off vehi-

cles by their own action. Transporters must take reasonable steps to use these facilities.

• Shelter requirements before and during transport – suitable shelter must be provided for young calves

before, during and after transportation.

The changes to last year’s regulations still stand:

• Fit for transport – calves must be at least 4 days old (96 hours) and physically fit before they are trans-

ported off-farm for sale or slaughter. This applies to any young calf that is up to 14 days old and has

been separated from its mother. Fit for transport also means: ears up and bright, correct ear tag, dry

navel, no scours, firm worn hooves, standing and walking and a tummy full of milk (with no antibiotics

in it!)

• Prohibition on killing calves by blunt force to the head - No use of blunt force to the head for putting

down calves, except in an emergency situation to avoid unnecessary suffering. This applies to any calf

that has not been weaned off milk, or a milk replacement.

• Maximum duration of transport – 12 hours journey time, for any calf up to 14 days old that has been

departed from its mother. These calves are prohibited from crossing the Cook Strait.

It takes a huge team effort to ensure all calves are treated with care and respect, from birth to

beyond the farm gate. For more information visit the MPI website.

NZ Dairy Manager of the Year We would like to say a huge congratulations to Hayley Hoogendyk for taking out the overall New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year title after her success at the Manawatu awards. Hayley has worked for our clients Nigel, Roger and Noelene Taylor (Te Paratai Farms) for the past four years, initially as a farm assistant then progressing to the role of Dairy Farm Manager for the last two seasons. It is fantastic to see someone who is so passionate about the dairy industry and animal health rewarded for their hard work. Hayley has always been keen on learning, discussing ideas and helping other people, and we’ve been lucky to have her as a member of our SRVS discussion group. This is a massive achievement and we wish Hayley all the best for her future in the Dairy Industry!

Fodder beet is a very popular winter crop for dairy cattle all over New Zealand at the moment.

The main reasons behind its popularity are the very high yields, high ME value (12+ MJ ME/kg

DM) and high utilisation (typically 90%). When managed correctly and with the cooperation of

the summer weather, crops can yield 30t DM/ha, but more commonly are between 18-24t DM/

ha. These high crop yields can result in high growth rates of younger stock of up to 1kg LW/day,

and a very efficient winter crop for dairy cattle.

When feeding fodder beet it is critical that the transition onto the beets is done carefully, and with a high attention to

detail. Generally this transition period will take between 14 and 21 days with the amount of fodder beets being offered

slowly increasing every day or so. For example starting mature cows on 1-2kg DM fodder beet per cow per day and only

increasing this by 1kg DM every second day. It is important to only increase the daily amount if every animal is eating their

allocated amount, for example heifers and rising one year olds may take a few days to adjust to eating the bulbs and there-

fore should only be offered more if they are all eating their share.

The aim of this transition period is to allow the rumen to adapt to the high levels of sugars in the beets, to the point where

cattle can have ad lib intakes on the beets. This is usually around 8-9kg DM fodder beet per cow per day with the remaining

feed usually being long chop baleage, silage or hay. To achieve these high levels of intakes these supplementary feeds must

be offered at least 3 hours prior to having access to the beets to ensure cattle are not going onto the beets hungry.

Rumen acidosis is the main health issue we encounter with the use of fodder beet. This usually occurs during the transition

phase in which the amount being feed per animal has been under estimated or where there is a break out and excess crop

has being consumed. In acute cases of acidosis animals are down, weak, showing signs of colic and often are very dehydrat-

ed. Veterinary assistance is essential at this point as there will be a number of animals that will be sub clinically affected

also. Treatment needs to be prompt, due to treatment being very unrewarding in down animals.

Other animal health issues we see when cattle are being wintered on fodder beet are low phosphorus levels. This is due to

fodder beet being generally low in phosphorus. Ideally we can take blood samples prior to animals going onto fodder beet

and throughout the winter to monitor levels and manage supplementation. Animals with low phosphorus levels will be

down, but still alert and eating but struggling to get on their feet.

Fodder Beet

Nursing a downer cow continued

Lifting should be attempted a couple of times a day, especially early in the course of the cow being down. If you don’t have your own hip lifters we have a pair available for hire from the clinic. Confinement This is one thing we often forget about. Some down cows can drag/crawl themselves around a paddock which looks like progress; however, during this movement secondary damage can be inflicted to nerves of the back legs due to stretching. Confining the cow to a smaller area with hay bales or gates will prevent some crawling movements and keep her located on bedding if it has been provided. Water and Food! Down cows should ALWAYS have clean water and palatable food within reach! Anti-inflammatories – such as Ketomax. These are especially useful when given early in cases of calving paralysis, but also have a key role in the treatment of any downer cow. They help reduce swelling in affected limbs and generally make the cow more comfortable. So next time you are dealing with a downer cow please remember nursing care is just as important as any bag under the skin or starter drench down the throat. If you are unable or unwilling to provide this care, then euthanasia should seriously be considered.

Last year we encouraged our clients to bring in colostrum samples for quality testing with our Brix refractometer and the

results were not good! 22% and over is the magic number that signals good quality colostrum (which is indicative of a good

immunoglobulin level), and we only received one sample over the entire spring calving period that fit this criteria!! Our

findings were very similar to a study done in the Waikato, where only 1.8% of colostrum samples tested were both above

the recommended Brix level and below the maximum recommended bacterial count.

There are several possible reasons for poor quality colostrum:

• Samples are a mix of all milk from the ‘colostrum’ mob, yet true colostrum is only obtained from the very first milking

– we can’t stress how important it is to keep this first milking colostrum separated from the transition milk and feed it

preferentially to the calves that are less than 24 hours old.

Solution: Milk cows into a test bucket for their very first milking of the season.

• Length of time from calving to milking (and then also time to feeding it to the calves!) – colostrum quality starts

declining in the udder as soon as the cow has calved, and then continues declining at a similar rate while sitting in the

bucket.

Solution: Collect calves and bring in freshly calved cows twice a day - if this is not possible, take colostrum

out and tube feed calves in the paddock so they get at least 10% of their bodyweight in colostrum within

their first 6-12 hours of life.

Solution: Store colostrum correctly ie. keep the colostrum refrigerated or preserve with potassium sorb-

ate to prevent the decline of immunoglobulins and reduce bacterial counts.

• Bacterial count of the colostrum - how clean is the udder at first milking, how clean is the test bucket, how clean is the

container used to hold it, and how clean are the feeders?? We did milk cultures on some of the colostrum samples we

received and all the samples we tested grew a vast array of foul-smelling bacteria. These bacteria not only destroy the

immunoglobulins whilst in storage but they also block the colostral antibodies from being absorbed in the gut of the

calf.

Solution: Wash and dry udders before milking if they are excessively mucky, and clean test buckets,

containers and feeders daily with hot water and disinfectant.

We will be testing colostrum again this spring free of charge – all you need to do is bring in a small colostrum sample and

we can tell you whether it meets the recommended Brix level on the refractometer.

We can also test calves to measure whether adequate colostral transfer has occurred. This involves taking a blood sample

from 10-12 calves that are 3 to 7 days old, and then we do the testing at the clinic.

For clients that would like a more in-depth review of their calf rearing system we have a new monitoring programme called

Welcalf. This is an extension of our Welfarm programme, but can also be

used as a stand-alone tool. Welcalf has been developed to improve the

health and welfare of calves up until weaning - it enables us to detect and

solve problems early, with clients receiving a final report benchmarking your

farm for calf health and disease parameters. For more information on the

Welcalf programme please talk to one of our vets at the clinic.

Colostrum and Calf Management Transition Period Management

Over the dry period the cows should have been receiving anywhere from 10-14kg DM a day depending on your feeding system, and of this up to half should be bulky food—i.e. hay/straw or grass silage. Cow intakes need to be maintained so that they can easily eat their requirements after calving but of a higher energy dense feed.

Due to the very wet weather and low grass growth rates and availability, more supplement is being fed out than normal. This should result in better cow body condition if maize silage and/or PKE is being fed at increased rates.

If the cows gain weight too rapidly Fatty Liver Syndrome can develop after calving and the cows will lose weight rapidly.

Ideally the cows should not be fed more than 2-3kg DM of maize silage/PKE, but this is not possible in many cases at the moment. To try to decrease the impact of this, cows that are condition score 5.5-6.0 need to be removed from these diets if possible. It will be imperative that all cows are fed adequately through the springer and colos-trum periods to ensure no metabolic diseases occur around calving.

The springers should be fed a transition diet for 2-3 weeks prior to calving which will include a higher energy dense diet that will be similar to what the milkers will be fed. This is where the maize silage and PKE rates can be increased.

Remember that rumens need effective fibre to function properly and so if the cows are grazing a high protein rapidly growing grass they will need some hay or straw in the diet.

Magnesium and other trace elements should have been started at least 3 weeks prior to the start of calving and in

some herds sooner depending on historical information.

Magnesium is critical for calcium mobilisation and metabolism and so the most important factor is to ensure that the cows are absorbing enough magnesium to meet their needs. In some situations magnesium chloride supple-mentation through a water system is not adequate. Conversely just because you may have a downer cow issue does not necessarily mean that the cows are not absorbing enough magnesium. We are seeing more and more cases of primary calcium and/or phosphate deficiency causing metabolic outbreaks and so in these cases adding in additional magnesium will not solve the problem.