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What can we use BCS data for?

As the season progresses, our focus needs to shift towards next season. How you manage the herd will have more impact on their performance next season than the current one. There is sound science behind the value of body condition scoring (BCS) but what do we do with the information when we have it? How and when to dry-off, determining mitigation strategies for potential feed deficits and creating plans for dry-cow management are good examples of decisions supported by BCS info. Achieving BCS ta...

Repro review - where to start?

Just as they do after every All Black’s game, we should analyse results and identify opportunities. Pregnancy testing offers an opportune time to assess reproductive performance and herd management. Sometimes scanning feels like groundhog day, holding our breath waiting to hear whether she is in calf or not, and feeling more and more deflated with each “empty” result. Once you have your results it is the perfect time to do some analysis to uncover what went well and where the opportunities...

A lame problem

Sick of dealing with lame cows, North Canterbury farmer Sam Spencer-Bower decided to take a proactive approach with some preventative hoof trimming.  But he was concerned they weren’t picking up enough cows and started working with his veterinarian to get some locomotion scoring performed on his farms. “We wanted to pick up the cows that were slightly lame and do something about it before they got too bad,” Spencer-Bower says. “We didn’t have a significant lameness problem, but it...

Do the locomotion

The best time to perform a locomotion score is six to eight weeks after mating has started as lameness has the biggest impact at that time of the season. Have you ever had a locomotion score performed on your herd? Not sure what they are for or what to do with the information after you’ve received the results? Let’s explore the value of locomotion scoring. Lame cows cost a farm business from the reduced production, impaired reproductive performance and being susceptible to premature culling....

Data improves decision making

Measurement data helps farmers better manage their operations, the more information they have, the more they can make decisions that are tailored to their farm and herd’s specific needs. If we don’t measure, assess, and analyse data, how do we know we are achieving the best possible outcomes for our herds' health and welfare? ...

Wellbeing plans offer more than compliance

A wellbeing plan helps unlock the Co-operative Difference milk payment for Fonterra suppliers and there is a close relationship between well-cared for cows and good milk production. Imagine if you could prevent the loss of one cow, minimise the cases of lameness, and more effectively manage mastitis within your herd. Proactive management can save money and create efficiencies within the farm business. It’s important that the practices we use on farms are aligned with the expectations of our cu...

Tail scoring is a valuable tool

Performing tail scoring allows farms to create a benchmark and identify any handling issues. If you don’t record and benchmark how can you know if you have a problem or work to fix it?  By monitoring tail damage in your herd, it demonstrates you value animal welfare and shows you care about your animals and protects your reputation, and it is the right thing to do for your herd and the sector as a whole. Tail damage is painful for cows and research shows an average of 20% of dairy cattle ...

Protect farm productivity with pain relief

There are economical benefits to utilising pain relief during treatment or routine procedures with dairy animals....