Stupid questions from a simple mind

[Beef farmer]

In the autumn, it has been pointed out to me that my cows lost weight from calving too breeding.
I feel, but cant confirm until pd in the next few weeks that our conception wont be a patch on the last 2 years.
Last year after 9 weeks we had 10% mt
This year I'm feeling 15%+ mt after 12 weeks.

So my question is, the cows milked really well in September through. If I fed more cake would I have put some weight on the cows or would they have just produced more milk?

Keen to get back to a 9 week block in 2020.

 

[Shep]

More energy less protein,

 

[Beef farmer]

14% in the parlour. The grass was so fresh and alive after the prolonged drought. So can we assume it's a once in 40 year thing?

 

[Headless chicken]

Your type of cow will put on weight Holstein will milk more

 

[More to life]

In the autumn, it has been pointed out to me that my cows lost weight from calving too breeding.
I feel, but cant confirm until pd in the next few weeks that our conception wont be a patch on the last 2 years.
Last year after 9 weeks we had 10% mt
This year I'm feeling 15%+ mt after 12 weeks.

So my question is, the cows milked really well in September through. If I fed more cake would I have put some weight on the cows or would they have just produced more milk?

Keen to get back to a 9 week block in 2020.

Spring calvers have excellent fertility on high protein grass.

 

[Beef farmer]

Spring calvers have excellent fertility on high protein grass.

Grass feeds differently in may to October

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

Did you feed any fodder beet this year? We find it keeps good condition on cows.

 

[jondear]

14% in the parlour. The grass was so fresh and alive after the prolonged drought. So can we assume it's a once in 40 year thing?

Your not the only one feeling it now with cows milking well but conception rates have suffered I put it down to freeky weather drought and then no grass till rain in October .

 

[Beef farmer]

Did you feed any fodder beet this year? We find it keeps good condition on cows.

Never would before November

 

[Rossymons]

Your cows would have probably put on more weight rather than milk more.

I would agree that it is a once in decade occurance but with shifting weather patterns who knows?

With a fair shot I would bet you could get that weight back on the girls between now and calving time to get the block back in shape.

 

[Beef farmer]

Your cows would have probably put on more weight rather than milk more.

I would agree that it is a once in decade occurance but with shifting weather patterns who knows?

With a fair shot I would bet you could get that weight back on the girls between now and calving time to get the block back in shape.

The ones in calve I'm not worried about. Any weight issues have been overcome.
It's just understanding why and how to not get here again

 

[Dragon]

When do you bring them in at night?

 

[Beef farmer]

When do you bring them in at night?

21 days before serving.

 

[Beef farmer]

When do you bring them in at night?

How have you faired?

 

[Princess Pooper]

Perhaps the fertility issues more down to management during the dry period when the eggs are formed? Any difference this year? Losing weight between calving and conception is not unusual.

 

[Beef farmer]

Perhaps the fertility issues more down to management during the dry period when the eggs are formed? Any difference this year? Losing weight between calving and conception is not unusual.

That would be my thoughts exactly. But they calved in looking the best they ever have, only a few mf and not 1 retained cleansing. It was a hard summer on the girls that's for sure. Whilst dry they where few wheat straw and 3kg of wheat gluten

 

[Dragon]

How have you faired?

Haven't finish pd yet. 12-13% mt. Cows were lower condition than I'd liked when calved.

 

[Rossymons]

That would be my thoughts exactly. But they calved in looking the best they ever have, only a few mf and not 1 retained cleansing. It was a hard summer on the girls that's for sure. Whilst dry they where few wheat straw and 3kg of wheat gluten

If the dry cow diet wasn't right you wouldn't have had those results. weight change is to be expected post calving. i would chalk it up to it being the most exceptional year of weather we had.

 

[goodevans]

A very high proportion of barren ewes about so I would put it down to the season

 

[In the pit]

Cows need to calve in at condition score 3/3.25 and heifers need to be 3.5
In the first 4 weeks after calving they will loose weight but the trick is to stop them loosing any more than half a condition score
Any different to this and fertility suffers