2nd calvers condition

[Mchalehs]

Hi, my 2nd calvers are due to calve mid march

They’re winter diet is kale/rape and silage from mid november, in shed on silage from 1st jan until 20th jan (weaning) then back out to the kale untill 1st march. Then fed silage and hay up and over calving.

They’ve lost a bit in condition over the last month, what do you suggest?

 

[M-J-G]

What age are you calving heifers at?

 

[unlacedgecko]

Hi, my 2nd calvers are due to calve mid march

They’re winter diet is kale/rape and silage from mid november, in shed on silage from 1st jan until 20th jan (weaning) then back out to the kale untill 1st march. Then fed silage and hay up and over calving.

They’ve lost a bit in condition over the last month, what do you suggest?

What condition are they now?

 

[Mchalehs]

They 1st calved at 24-25 months. Mostly friesian/jersey x herefords and belgians. Good milky heifers. Theyve done a cracking job at rearing their calves this year. Possibly should have weaned them earlier.

Id say they’re condition is 2-2.5 at the moment

 

[M-J-G]

They 1st calved at 24-25 months. Mostly friesian/jersey x herefords and belgians. Good milky heifers. Theyve done a cracking job at rearing their calves this year. Possibly should have weaned them earlier.

Id say they’re condition is 2-2.5 at the moment

I'd say you're being too hard on them.
Weaning them 2 months off calving isn't a good enough break for young cows like that.

You can't calve down at 2yo have them rear a good calf, have them still growing and carrying a calf, without something suffering, particularly with dairy breeding in them.

I'd have weaned the calves at 6 months and grazed them well while there was grass and fed them ad lib good quality silage to allow them to build condition.
I'd prefer them to be CS 3 to 3.5

Having the first calf at 2 isn't a problem, having the 2nd calf at 3 is more likely cause issues.

 

[Mchalehs]

Live and learn i suppose! Asked a few for opinions and everyone had different answers!

 

[Mchalehs]

Would they be better in and just on silage until calving or out on the kale? Can keep them in if need be

 

[M-J-G]

Would they be better in and just on silage until calving or out on the kale? Can keep them in if need be

Is the silage good? If so I'd probably give them that.
Being in or out will make no real difference to them.

 

[M-J-G]

Live and learn i suppose! Asked a few for opinions and everyone had different answers!

I've almost always calved at 2, but I find it is often over sold without the negatives being explained.

 

[Mchalehs]

Yes silage is good quality

 

[Woolless]

They 1st calved at 24-25 months. Mostly friesian/jersey x herefords and belgians. Good milky heifers. Theyve done a cracking job at rearing their calves this year. Possibly should have weaned them earlier.

Id say they’re condition is 2-2.5 at the moment

Do you have any photos? I've often thought that a Hereford x (Jer/Fri) would make a good suckler cow.

 

[Mchalehs]

Do you have any photos? I've often thought that a Hereford x (Jer/Fri) would make a good suckler cow.

I haven’t, they weigh around the 500kg mark, they’re very quiet, reared them from calves

 

[Dog Bowl]

I am merely posing the question here but would feeding these cows really good grub at this stage promote growth of the calf inside her rather than increase bcs of the cow: therefore increasing the chance of encountering difficulties at calving?

 

[Woolless]

I am merely posing the question here but would feeding these cows really good grub at this stage promote growth of the calf inside her rather than increase bcs of the cow: therefore increasing the chance of encountering difficulties at calving?

That can be the case with sheep. The worry is lack of milk if you don't step up the feed but these are unlikely to struggle in they regard.

 

[M-J-G]

That can be the case with sheep. The worry is lack of milk if you don't step up the feed but these are unlikely to struggle in they regard.

Highly unlikely that lack of milk will be an issue in a cow, particularly these types.

I'd be more concerned about getting them back in calf later.

 

[M-J-G]

I am merely posing the question here but would feeding these cows really good grub at this stage promote growth of the calf inside her rather than increase bcs of the cow: therefore increasing the chance of encountering difficulties at calving?

In a word, yes.

It's a case of being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Lean cows often tend to have big calves, particularly if they are falling in condition during mid pregnancy.

But then again if they keep getting leaner, you're worse off if you don't feed them enough.

If you have cows and bulls with low birth weight traits, feeding cows a bit better shouldn't be a big risk.

I prefer to adjust condition in months 6 and 7 and maintain for months 8 and 9

 

[Samcowman]

I would wean earlier next time and see what happens. Your also setting them up for their next calf before they have this one so when calving at 2 I would give them a longer break. Older cows would be fine though.
If you are really worried work out their calving interval for this time and next time and you will see what works on your farm.

 

[Mchalehs]

I would wean earlier next time and see what happens. Your also setting them up for their next calf before they have this one so when calving at 2 I would give them a longer break. Older cows would be fine though.
If you are really worried work out their calving interval for this time and next time and you will see what works on your farm.

Ive reassured myself today, they dont look as bad as i thought! But yes, i should have weaned earlier. Bull was only with them for 6 weeks over summer and only one empty. Lets hope theyll be the same this year

 

[Blaithin]

Feed them whatever the better feed is - silage or kale. And watch your weather. If it’s cold or wet a poorer condition cow will struggle to stay warm because of less cover. If you think they’re putting too much energy toward trying to stay warm, bring them inside.

If they have/had good cover the grazing kale wouldn't necessarily be such an upkeep for them if it’s cold.

If you trust your genetics for calving ease then pack the feed to them. You’re more likely to run into calving issues with a cow losing condition/muscle tone/strength than you are with a slightly larger calf. Large calf doesn’t mean hard birth if your calving ease is there.

 

[M-J-G]

Feed them whatever the better feed is - silage or kale. And watch your weather. If it’s cold or wet a poorer condition cow will struggle to stay warm because of less cover. If you think they’re putting too much energy toward trying to stay warm, bring them inside.

If they have/had good cover the grazing kale wouldn't necessarily be such an upkeep for them if it’s cold.

If you trust your genetics for calving ease then pack the feed to them. You’re more likely to run into calving issues with a cow losing condition/muscle tone/strength than you are with a slightly larger calf. Large calf doesn’t mean hard birth if your calving ease is there.

It's pretty unlikely that temperatures in the UK are likely to cause cows to struggle to stay warm. Dairy crosses do tend to be softer, but I'd have thought the Hereford would add a tough enough hide to hack our conditions.
BB tend to be thin skinned and lean, so can struggle.