This report by John Moran from Asia Dairy Network explains the changing feed requirements of cows over the lactation cycle and how to match this with cow genetics. Cows must calve to produce milk and the lactation cycle is the period between one calving and the next.
The cycle is split into four phases, the early, mid and late lactation each of about days, or d and the dry period which should last as long as 65 d. In an ideal world, cows calve every 12 months. As well as variations in milk production, there are changes in feed intake and body condition, and stage of pregnancy. Figure 1 presents the interrelationships between feed intake, milk yield and live weight for a Friesian cow with a 14 month inter-calving interval, hence a d lactation.
Although her maintenance requirements will not vary, she will need more dietary energy and protein as milk production increases then less when production declines. However to regain body condition in late lactation, she will require additional energy. Cows usually use their own body condition for about 12 weeks after calving, to provide energy in addition to that consumed.
The energy released is used to produce milk, allowing them to achieve higher peak production than would be possible from their diet alone. To do this, cows must have sufficient body condition available to lose, and therefore they must have put it on late in the previous lactation or during the dry period. There are a number of obstacles to feeding the herd well in early lactation to maximise the peak.
The foremost of these is voluntary food intake. At calving, appetite is only about 50 to 70 per cent of the maximum at peak intake. This is because during the dry period, the growing calf takes up space, reducing rumen volume and the density and size of rumen papillae is reduced. It is not until weeks that appetite reaches its full potential.
Peak lactation to peak intake Following peak lactation, cows' appetites gradually increase until they can consume all the nutrients required for production, provided the diet is of high quality. You will have to milk twice a day 10 months of the year.
The process needs to be regular, or the cow will be uncomfortable and her production will suffer. It can be done on two possible schedules: either 12 hours apart or on a and hour schedule, e. Make such schedule changes slowly — cows are creatures of habit. Milking begins with a calm, relaxed environment for both the cow and you.
A cow that is very used to being milked can just be tethered to a post in the barn, but, more advisedly, have the cow in a stanchion to get both of you used to each other and to get her used to hand milking. Have a bucket with warm water, disinfectant and a cloth ready. Paying special attention to the ends of the teats, wash the udder with a bit of gusto, partly to imitate a calf stimulating the cow. Let down lasts only about 10 minutes, so you need to move right along with milking.
Start gently in case a teat or udder is sore. Gently squeeze the top of the teat closest to the bag between your thumb and first finger. This closes the top of the teat. Then close the next finger, then the next, then the next one at a time over the teat, squeezing the milk out the end of the teat. Release your hold and allow more milk to enter the teat, then repeat the previous movements.
When you get the hang of it with one hand, begin to work on two teats at a time — either the two front then the two back, or the two on each side — alternating one then the other. Squirt the first stream or two from each teat onto a clean spot on the floor or in a strip cup to see how the milk looks. Also the first bit of milk out of the teat is the most likely to contain bacteria that can cause milk to spoil faster.
After the flow begins to decrease, begin to do one teat at a time using the other hand to massage the udder above. Get out as much milk as possible to prevent a disease in the udder called mastitis. Breed your cow annually, preferably in the summer for a spring calf if this milking schedule works for your family. Having summers off from milking is good if you have other farm chores, but is not good for optimizing the conversion of grass to milk. Having a midwinter break, with calving in the spring, gives both the cow and farmer a natural time to rest.
Breed at the standing phase, if possible. Learn how your cow behaves. Watch her. How often does she eat, drink, lie down, belch and chew her cud? The benefits of having a family cow might moooooove you to purchase one.
Choosing the right breed, making sure it has ample housing, a pasture to graze, the right feed and ample healthcare are just some of the parts to raising a family cow. MOFGA has a full list of accepted practices, products and ingredients for raising livestock. You can reach her at or [email protected]. Each has valuable information. Rhino Publishing, S. The Weston A. After they give birth, female dairy animals are called cows. All cows produce milk once they deliver a calf.
The life of a dairy cow varies from farm to farm and from cow to cow; some can live for as long as 20 years while others may have a much shorter life. Dairy farmers work hard to keep cows healthy for a long productive life. However, removing cows from the dairy herd is a common practice that allows farmers to bring in new, more productive cows, thus ensuring a steady supply of milk.
Meat from cows that are no longer milking is a valuable source of safe and nutritious food. There are several ways that you can help to improve the welfare of dairy cows. Sign up for our newsletter.
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