THE LINK BETWEEN RUMEN BUFFERS AND REPRODUCTION
Reproduction isn’t driven solely by mating or body condition; rumen instability is a variable that can compromise cycling, conception, and embryo survival. Sub‑acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) or low rumen pH episodes negatively affect feed intake and fibre digestion, cut microbial protein supply and raise systemic inflammation. Together, these worsen energy deficits, produce endotoxins that cause […]
TRANSITION MAKES OR BREAKS REPRODUCTION
By September, most herds are already calved and are heading towards mating. The window to influence pre-calving minerals has passed, and decisions made in the transition period are only just becoming obvious. How well the cows cycle, express heats, and conceive this spring is a direct reflection of the mineral balance they received during the […]
REPRODUCTION STARTS IN THE LIVER
The liver doesn’t often get the attention it deserves. Tucked behind the rumen and largely invisible to farm-level observation, it quietly carries the burden of converting nutrients, detoxifying metabolites, and producing energy in the form of glucose to fuel lactation. But during early lactation, when energy demands are highest and intake is lagging, the liver […]
BUILDING REPRODUCTIVE RESILIENCE THROUGH MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION
Dairy cow productivity is usually focused on daily milk yields, however, reproduction is an important aspect when it comes to performance longevity. Cows that get in-calf quickly and stay in-calf are far more productive than those that don’t. One often overlooked factor is mineral supplementation to support reproductive health. New Zealand soil is naturally deficient […]
HOW TRACE ELEMENTS IMPACT REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE
How trace elements impact reproductive performance It’s widely understood that mineral supplementation plays an important role in mating and pregnancy success, and a lot of research has shown the key trace elements involved to be cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc. But how do these trace elements interact within the body to culminate […]
MINERAL DEFICIENCY DIRECTLY RELATED TO EMPTY RATES
Successfully carrying the foetus through to full term is quite a balancing act. Maintaining a successful pregnancy requires the correct level of energy, and protein, as well as a quality source of carbohydrates. In the case of a ruminant, this means good-quality fibre. Also required is a correctly balanced ratio of minerals and vitamins. These are all critical factors in maintaining the very tightly balanced ratio of hormones required in early pregnancy.
MINERAL BALANCE FOR IN CALF DAIRY COWS
The challenge is not getting them in-calf. It is keeping them in calf.
It is still a trend among some dairy farmers to concentrate on mineral supplementation only through the months of early lactation, and up to the completion of the mating period. In my view this misses the point.
Generally speaking while the energy and protein levels of the pasture may improve as the season progresses, the mineral levels in lush green spring pasture are often very low, and can reach their lowest level in the spring to early summer months. Cutting minerals at such a critical time can be likened to ‘saving cents while sacrificing dollars’. A fully formulated trace element supplement designed to be delivered throughout the season can cost anywhere from 50 cents to $1.70 per dairy cow per month depending on the types of mineral used and the levels required.
WE ASK A LOT OF OUR COWS AND IT IS AMAZING WHAT THEY WILL ENDURE AND STILL REMAIN PRODUCTIVE.
Given the usually challenging climatic conditions experienced on most New Zealand dairy farms during the spring, the average farmer certainly expects a lot from their cows. Firstly they go through the trauma of giving birth, then we extract large volumes of milk pretty much from day one, and then the cow is expected to become pregnant again. This all happens within a very tight window of time. Is it any wonder that cows struggle to recover when one stress event so closely follows the next?
PREPARING YOUR HERD FOR MATING SEASON
PREPARING YOUR HERD FOR MATING SEASON Nutrition and rumen health As we head into the latter half of the year, New Zealand dairy farmers are already setting their sights on mating season. It’s no secret that animals in peak physiological condition achieve the highest in-calf rates, but navigating the nutritional demands of early lactation to […]