Current conditions can cause animal health issues

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 2 October 2009

For immediate release

Current conditions can cause animal health issues warns DairyNZ

DairyNZ is urging farmers to monitor pasture conditions and stock health.

“Current conditions of wet overcast weather resulting in low dry matter intakes, combined with quality second round pastures containing high nitrogen and potassium concentrations and cows heading towards peak milk, are causing problems on some dairy farms throughout New Zealand,” says DairyNZ Principal Scientist Dr John Roche. “Farmers are reporting a greater than normal incidence of bloat and grass staggers and a recent drop in milk production.”

Rapid pasture growth for the last 30 to 40 days has resulted in many farms dropping to grazing rounds of 15 to 16 days. “At this stage the plant is very high in potassium and non-protein nitrogen, and very low in magnesium,” says John. “With inclement weather, this is a recipe for grass staggers.

“As well as low water consumption by cows during wet weather, it is very difficult to provide sufficient supplementary magnesium through the water trough, especially during a heavy staggers challenge. In these situations people will need to offer magnesium in multiple forms – through water, or dusted on silage or pasture.

“As well as the mineral problems, farmers relying on just pre-grazing platemeter results to allocate pasture may be overestimating the amount of feed available resulting in cows being short of feed.”

To avoid loss of cow production and animal health issues farmers need to:

•Ensure that cows are not underfed – check that desired residuals are not achieved within three to four hours of the cows going into a paddock

•Check that the cows are getting enough magnesium – high producing cows need up to 20 g Mg/cow/day.

“If treating for bloat farmers should be aware that bloat oil (fat) and Mg can interact in the rumen and therefore reduce Mg absorption, increasing the risk of staggers,” says John. “If cows are getting bloat, consult with your vet and follow the usual prevention strategies (offering some supplement before the pasture, adequate bloat oil supplementation, rumensin capsules etc). Also ensure that the cows are not being underfed and gorging their pasture when given access.”

ENDS

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