COWS LOOSING BODY FAT:
This has become a much more common problem than I thought was the situation
In summary
-cows doing well in fall
-calves on slightly longer due to numerous reasons
-cows on stubble longer than intended due to many reasons
-work load
-markets
-etc.
-very cold temperatures which need no further comments
-cows in some cases eating snow
-feed samples this year across the board are poorer than expected by at least 30% in many cases
PROBLEM
Cows are in last trimester of pregnancy and begin to burn body fat (internal fat—cow not looking terrible ). Rumen believes that nutrition is sufficient due to this fat burning and appetite of cow decreases and then the cycle begins. As the fat burns the ash is deposited in the liver of the cow and also the fetus.
CONSEQUENCES
-poorer colostum
-weak calves born ---not only reason
-weak cows
-some cows appear bloated
DIAGNOSIS
1,Cows eating less than you expect
2 Cows less active
3 Weak calves born
4 Most important you will see pieces of straw or hay in the manure due to the poor digestion
5 May have lost ½ to 1 condition score but this is difficult for you to assess
TREATMENT
-Stockman’s choice to aid digestion
-promolas to aid digestion
- B vitamins to individuals and may give intravenous in special situations
To recognize the problem and work on the herd is the most economical for you.
We discussed abortions and there are numerous reports so you know how to handle the situation. If you see more than one ---lab work may be useful but to treat the entire cow herd in the feed is beneficial and much simpler than you may expect also not expensive.
We discussed scours
MAIN POINTS;
-get a diagnosis
-electrolytes, stockman’s choice to coat the intestine and get normal bacteria working
-all sick calves are anemic and so the use of B vitamins is always warrented
-prevention may be vaccines or treatment at birth but most useful is get them separated ( big field )
DO NOT TRADE BUGS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS
-different boots and clothes if to barn
-rubber tub of lime to walk in and also useful on your farm so no bug travel between parts of your operation