A34-Lancastar Farming, Saturday, October 29, 1988 Daily Pipeline BY GLENN A. SHIRK Extension Agent - Dairy Getting Cowi Back on Track The hot dry summer took its toll on dairy herds in several ways; one of which was poorer repro ductive performance. During those prolonged periods of hot weather it was hard to catch cows in heat; even though cows may have been cycling normally, they failed to express signs of heat. If they were bred, either arti ficially or naturally, many of them failed to conceive or maintain their pregnancy. During these periods of heat stress bulls can also become tem porarily sterile and inactive, and it can be several weeks before they regain their fertility. For this rea son, at the conclusion of a heat wave, conception to A.I. service may be greater than conception to natural service, providing cows are in good energy balance. During hot weather, cows go off feed. If this throws diem into a negative energy balance, concep tion can suffer. If a drought accompanies the hot weather the problem can also be compounded, especially if dairymen skimp on cows’ daily ration due to the scar city of feeds and rising feed costs. Even though the heat and drought have passed, reproductive problems can still persist Why? One of the big reasons may be that cows are still “run down” and in a negative energy balance; it may take a while for some of these cows to recover. Feed For Gain Concentrate on getting cows back into a positive energy balance as quickly as possible. Encourage dry matter intake with good quality feeds, properly balanced rations and good feeding practices. Know the quality of feeds you are feeding. This year, because of the growing conditions we have had, it may be wise to have your forages analyzed. Some feeds will be less digestible due to greater lignification. Many fields were quite weedy, and that can also alter feed quality. Some forages are higher in quality than usual. For example, well-eared, short-stalked com sil age is higher in energy and lower in fiber. Many farmers are favored by good weather for harvesting alfalfa, and much of it is of higher protein, lower fiber content. In order to improve overall digestibility of the ration and to enhance dry matter intake some poor quality forages might need to be supplemented with some high er quality, more digestible fiber in the ration. If you are feeding high quality, low fiber com silage and alfalfa this year, you could end up with a ration deficient in fiber. That could lead to lower dry matter intakes, lower production, poorer flesh, lower tests, etc. You might need to include additional sources of digestible fiber in the ration. These are a few examples of some changes that might be needed. Discuss the need or ration adjustments with your nutritionist. In addition to the amount and quality of fiber, you’ll also want to be concerned about rumen degradable protein, protein quality (amino acids), soluble carbohy drates, by-pass fats. etc. All of this is important as you attempt to maintain a proper and stable environment for rumen micro-organisms to function at peak levels of performance 24 hours a day. Paying attention to these details also improves feed efficiency; rumen micro-organisms receive the nutrients they need to do the job you expect of them, nutrients . . . Reproductive Management calve, are absorbed more efficiently, and in your attempt to get cows bred Consult your veterinarian about additional nutrients are protected harir remember they need healthy the merits of preventive herd from breakdown in the rumen so reproductive tracts, and you’ve health and reproductive manage they can be digested and absorbed got to catch them in heat and inse- mfcnt programs for your herd, in the intestinal tract. This maxim- mW. them at the proper time. Tliis, combined with good nutri izes nutrient absorption, milk pro- Or, you can rely upon the instinct tion, sets the stage for good duction and fat tests, and minim- and desires of a good bull, hope- v cdnception. izes weight losses and appetite f u n y one that is healthy, fertile Next comes good observation problems. All of this is worth and of good genetic material. Also habits, record toeping, timing of working for! consider when you want cows to (Turn to Pago AM) You'll make no payments until June 1989 when you buy selected new equipment from Ford New Holland: ■ Ford tractors Models 2810-2910-3910-4610-5610-5900-6610-7610-7710-8210 ■ Versatile swather ■ Versatile pull-type combines ■ New Holland self-propelled combines ■ New Holland hay equipment ■ New Holland forage equipment Keep your money in the bank and take home a new piece of equipment. Stop in and take a look. 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