Proactive transition approach yields more per day, but: “The greatest value is seen in the long term.”

Margins in dairy farming are tightening. In terms of sustainability, the sector is under the microscope. What can you do as a dairy farmer to still do well financially and produce sustainably? According to Marco Hoekstra, Product Manager at AHV, it is essential to make the cow last as long as possible. “The key to this lies in the transition,” he says.

As International Product Manager for ruminants at Animal Health Vision, Marco Hoekstra has spent the past few years taking a close look at dairy farming in various countries around the world. One of the things that strikes him is the difference in structure between dairy farms in the United States, for example, and countries like The Netherlands and Belgium. “In the United States, you have big farms with many employees. There, a lot is geared towards preventing animal health problems. This way, it is possible to work in a structured way with as few disruptions as possible. This can work well there because the scale is different. In The Netherlands and Flanders, you see farms living one day at a time.

We assume some things are part of the deal and act accordingly. I see the same difference between dairy farming and pig farming, in which we as AHV are also active. In pig farming, structured work is common. In dairy farming in The Netherlands and Flanders, where farms are getting bigger and bigger nowadays, you are starting to see this structured way of working more and more. Dairy farmers are investing more time in prevention, to spend less time on animals with health problems and the related yield losses,” says the Product Manager of the company that supports dairy farmers worldwide in optimising animal health, with advice and products that increase resistance against health issues naturally.

Long-term profits

A proactive approach to animal health delivers higher returns, better animal welfare and more work satisfaction in the short term. But Hoekstra sees that the real gains are mainly in the longer term. As an example, he cites proactively intervening a strong negative energy balance in dairy cows. “If a cow encounters an excessive negative energy balance during the transition period, the liver deteriorates and is never going to function optimally again. Once a cow has experienced this, she is three times more likely to encounter excessive negative energy balance again in subsequent lactations. The consequence: the cow goes to the slaughterhouse early. Often, there is a new heifer ready on the farm, but it would have been better if that cow had been able to complete another lactation. On average, a cow needs two and a half lactations to break even. From then on she really starts making money. Every extra lactation means extra revenue.” Besides financial benefits, Hoekstra also sees other reasons to increase the longevity. “In terms of sustainability, we, as a sector, are under the microscope. We want to show that we take good care of our animals and keep the carbon footprint as low as possible. Ensuring good animal health, allowing an animal to last as long as possible, is essential.”

Transition is key

The transition period is the most crucial period for a dairy cow. If a cow comes out of the dry period well and gets through the first 60 days without any problems, the cow will be easier to manage further throughout lactation. However, for many farms in The Netherlands and Flanders, this is quite a challenge, Hoekstra knows. “We cannot feed all the cows optimally. Most farms are too small to make specific production groups within the dry period and lactation period. Therefore, we use a standard ration and adjust where necessary with concentrate feed. In consequence, the cow uses her reserves at the start of lactation and takes in too much energy towards the end of lactation, resulting in fattening. That in turn results in a strong negative energy balance, resulting in liver damage that lowers immunity. Then you see that things like udder health problems and claw problems are more likely to pop up. These are problems that cause you a lot of work and grumpy faces at the kitchen table. Managing the transition well makes your life easier.”

Good absorption of calcium and phosphorus

Hoekstra knows that on average, 30 to 40 percent of the dairy cows have subclinical calcium and phosphorus deficiency around calving. On some farms, this rises up to 60 percent of the cows. Unnoticed, this is the precursor to typical transition problems. “Calcium and phosphorus are important for proper muscle function. The uterus is an organ that is very dependent on this. The placenta has to come off smoothly and the uterus has to clean easily. An invasion of harmful bacteria after calving costs immune cells. And all the energy the cow puts into that, she cannot put into milk production, which directly costs money. For digestion, good rumen function is essential. The rumen is basically a big muscle filled with micro-organisms. If that muscle does not work well, the feed is not kneaded and scrambled as well, resulting in less digestion.”

Optimal dry-off and sufficient feeding around calving

According to Hoekstra, a new lactation starts at the time of dry-off. “In the dry period, three things are very important. First of all, the ration. It should be as similar as possible to the ration during lactation, but with a lower energy value. If you always feed maize, you can leave it out during dry-off, but you should realise that it will take four to six weeks after calving for a cow to digest it optimally again. Secondly, it is important that a cow can move around freely during dry-off. There must be enough space for it. Muscles need to keep moving and not lie still. It is also important that the cow experiences as little stress as possible during the dry period and at calving. It is important that the cow can quietly find a spot and maintain contact with her herd mates. That facilitates calving and you benefit from that again during lactation.”

Cow ultimately has to do it herself

To take in enough nutrients and elements such as calcium and phosphorus after calving, it is essential for the cow to start eating again quickly, and for the rumen to work efficiently. Offering additional calcium and phosphorus is important here. In line with the increasing need for pre-calving nutrients, AHV has developed the Booster Tablet, which can be administered about two weeks before calving. This is a complementary feed in bolus form that makes the cow want to eat more, and it makes the rumen more efficient so the cow can absorb the extra energy requirements through the ration. “This way the cow will absorb extra feed and that feed is also utilised better,” Hoekstra says.

To ensure the right mineral and energy support after calving, Hoekstra advises dairy farmers to use StartLac Paste or StartLac Tablet. This product makes the cow want to eat again quickly and provides her with rapidly available calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Thanks to the calcium pidolate and active vitamin D3 in the StartLac products, the minerals are also better absorbed from the ration. This reduces the risk of milk fever and subclinical calcium deficiency, among other things. The energy-rich paste can be administered once immediately after calving. The Tablet is given immediately after calving and repeated after 12 to 24 hours. “Livestock farmers who use these products are very enthusiastic about them. We are often told that the cows eat much faster after calving. And that’s the way it should be. The cow has to do it herself and we can support this.” To give the cow even more support immediately after calving, Hoekstra tips dairy farmers to also use the Aspi Tablet and the Metri Tablet. The Aspi helps a cow feel better and boosts the immune system. The Metri stimulates the contraction of the uterus, which makes the placenta come off easier and the cow cleans up better. “But it all starts at the beginning of dry period. If a cow can work well towards the calving moment and the start of lactation, she gets through the first 60 days more easily. Moreover, you have a better chance of a more vital calf. Who also benefits from a good transition period.”

Proactive AHV Transition and Uterine Health & Fertility Protocol

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AHV Booster Tablet

14 days before calving

AHV Metri Tablet

Immediately after calving

AHV StartLac

Immediately after calving

AHV Aspi Tablet

Immediately after calving

AHV Booster Tablet

7 days after calving