The “I’m too posh to push” calving index!

jerseycowsman

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
cornwall
Also worth thinking about when you separate a calving cow. So many people separate them too early and they stop pushing as they feel isolated.

We use one of these (with stickers). It is quite useful to establish if you have a transition issue... usually find out in about 6 weeks as you get a run of them!

View attachment 960080
What is that? I’m having trouble looking at it with my phone
 

Sandpit Farm

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Derbyshire
What is that? I’m having trouble looking at it with my phone

Basically you write the line number and the date the cow calves. If she gets through the next 30 days without one of the issues on the left, she has been successful. If she gets a problem, I stick the relevant coloured sticker over the top and write her number on top. Once I get to the trigger number, I talk to the vet. It’s quite good as you forget how many you’ve had.

They are available from AHDB. It goes hand in hand with the fertility book which gives the targets
 

Dead Rabbits

Member
Location
'Merica
Don’t know if it’s relevant but when it gets cold here during calving, the amount of assisted calvings increases. To me this points to a nutrition issue because I just can’t get any more protein and energy into them despite usually upping them by 30% or more.

Not saying cold will cause you issues but your nutrition being a bit off might. I’m referring to -10 to -27 outdoor calving events. Not relevant to you.

I know how frustrating having problems at calving can be despite doing everything you think is right. Meanwhile someone else seems to skate By doing everything “wrong”and no problems
 

Sandpit Farm

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Derbyshire
Don’t know if it’s relevant but when it gets cold here during calving, the amount of assisted calvings increases. To me this points to a nutrition issue because I just can’t get any more protein and energy into them despite usually upping them by 30% or more.

Not saying cold will cause you issues but your nutrition being a bit off might. I’m referring to -10 to -27 outdoor calving events. Not relevant to you.

I know how frustrating having problems at calving can be despite doing everything you think is right. Meanwhile someone else seems to skate By doing everything “wrong”and no problems

Ooh that is chilly!!

Having two groups of dry cows (close ups and far offs) helps for sure. Many fall foul of looking at average intakes from one group - assuming that target of 12-13kgDM/day is what they are all getting. In reality the closeups can be as low as 7kgDM/day and the far offs can still be at 17ish kgDM/day. Energy balance has to be the key to so many problems on farm - nail that and you have most of the job sewn up.

Totally agree it is frustrating when you see some folks not having any issues yet they do it all wrong. Subclinical Milk Fever will definitely impact peak yields though and that will in turn influence total lactation yield so COP on a ppl basis will be pretty high. Having a run of clinical Milk Fever does at least highlight you have a problem.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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