Newry Farmers Focus on Dairy Herd Health
An improved understanding of herd health issues was the aim of a group of Newry farmers who recently completed the Animal Health Challenge for Dairy Farmers. Local vet Brian Doyle and CAFRE Development Advisers Richard Henning and Michael Garvey facilitated the group.
Animal Health Challenge provided them with information on mastitis, lameness, transition cow management, calf and infectious herd diseases.
Recently this group met at the farm of Dean and Jim Wright, Portadown to see how an Animal Health Plan was being put into practice at farm level. In relation to: -
Mastitis control - milk records are used to identify cows with high cell counts and these are treated. Cubicles are suitable for the size of cows in the herd and their surface was clean and dry. A lime based bedding material is used and the slatted passages are scrapped twice daily. A set milking routine that incorporates pre and post milking teat spraying is also carried out. Cows are encouraged to feed after milking.
Lameness – Each day cows are foot bathed on their exit from the milking parlour, using spent parlour washings. Once weekly a copper sulphate or formalin solution is used. Cows are also spot sprayed in the parlour for dermatitis control. In addition, every 3 weeks the Wright’s own vet will identify and treat lame cows.
Dry cows - are grouped according to proximity of calving. Freshly dry cows are fed a silage / straw mix with minerals / salts. As cows approach calving they move to a second group where the milking cow blend is introduced into the ration. This practice results in fewer problems with metabolic diseases after calving.
New born calves – are fed their mothers colostrum for several days before being introduced to an automated calf feeder. The group of calves are kept in a bedded pen with access to concentrates, straw and water. After weaning the calves are moved to a well ventilated house and had ad lib access to concentrate.
The farm visit provided many opportunities for discussion among the Newry farmers’ and provided an excellent and practical end to the Animal Health Challenge.
If you would like to join in a group and participate in one of the CAFRE Challenge programmes please contact your local dairying development adviser for further information.
