TOUCHY COWS, SUMMER PRODUCTION DROPPING OFF?
Typically during the summer months when temperatures and humidity levels are high, dairy cows face health challenges. Rye grass staggers occur from late November until the end of April, but tend to be worst from late January to early February, when we experience hot, dry spells followed by rain. Heat stress also becomes an issue where the cow’s ability to lose heat by sweating and breathing declines owing to the high relative humidity levels. Natural grass toxins which form when plants come under environmental stress, can also affect the animals grazing them.
Are your cows becoming hot and bothered this summer? Settle them down with Ascocool seaweed extract, a fully water soluble seaweed extract that helps to calm cows in the heat of summer.
WHY USE SEAWEED EXTRACT?
Agvance’ concentrated Seaweed Extract – called Ascocool can assist in alleviating these summer time health issues. It originates from the North Atlantic brown seaweed called Ascophyllum Nodosum where research trials have shown that this particular seaweed helps in the following ways:
1) Binds naturally occurring toxins & moulds that build up in grasses & stored feed under hot, dry humid conditions, causing heat stress and problems in central nervous system
2) Increases immunity
3) Potential to act as a powerful prebiotic owing to poly & mono-saccharides being present that allow for more efficient breakdown of feed
4) Contains a wide range of amino acids
WHAT SOME OF OUR FARMERS HAVE TO SAY:
Chris Rowe – Rowe Dairies, Te Aroha – milk 196 cows on 50 hectares –“Last year in 2015, 1st December, we decided to introduce seaweed extract into our cows’ diet as we had bad grass staggers in that the cows were very skittish. At the same time we increased their night break so it worked out to be an extra 20 square meters per cow per 24 hours, as well as introducing Palm kernel. We had a 100% turn around and gained production. Before introducing it into the dosatron we found it was better to mix the seaweed the day before to allow it to soak for 12+ hours so that it was no longer grainy. When summer hits & temperatures rise, heat stress & grass staggers can become a problem, we will definitely be using seaweed again. Product is working well for our farm & we can recommend it.”
Kent Whiteman – Morrinsville, milk 260 cows, 100 hectares – “On our farm, we have always used seaweed extract year round. Having switched 2 years ago to the seaweed supplied by Agvance, we have found it very reasonable & affordable to use as part of our daily regime. We mix it into a bucket of water and use it the next day with Solutrace DCM Plus, dosing through the dosatron. Our cows don’t suffer from grass staggers. We find the product very good and concentrated – can see it in the drum!”
Rhys – Croasdale farms, 400 cows on 110 hectares, Taupiri – “We have been using seaweed extract for the past 5 years on our big Friesans. Previously, we had had a fair bit of problems with heat stress, but we have had a noticeable change in them & they are not affected by heat stress. Our cows are happier & we wouldn’t go without seaweed now! Currently we dose from Dec – March in the heat of summer. We also use the seaweed on our pasture and mix it with gibberellic acid. We find we get a lot better response combining these 2 together as opposed to using gib acid on its own. The grass is a lot greener and thicker, and does not go yellow.”
GIVE SEAWEED (ASCOCOOL) A GO!
Try our Ascocool Seaweed Extract available in 25kg bags – it is derived from a reliable source, is of good quality, cost effective, natural & sustainable.
Contact your local vet to place an order.
