Page 30—Dairy of Dleflnctlon Supplement to Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 27, 1996 Treating Special Cows Special Dairy farms with high-producing herds learn to accommodate the indivi dual needs of each cow. The period of time before calving, at calving, and following calving are very important for a successful lactation. Modem dairies develop facilities that allow them to meet the demands of these cows with special needs. For best performance, the feed ration of the cow may be altered several times during the dry period, and just before and immediately after calving. Observing individual cow feed intake and behavior also may be important. For maximum cow comfort, care and productivity all dairy farms need to have a plan and facilities for meeting the individual needs of each cow. How do you care for special cows on your farm? Characteristics of the close-up/matemity/post-fresh pen bam; • Individual cow pens have water, a stanchion and feeding facilities • Gates between pens open for access during difficult calvings • Provides drive through TMR wagon feeding • Gates between pens can be left open to allow for larger group pens • Individual pen can be cleaned by hand or with a small skid-steer loader • Tractor access allows for cleaning from end of bam • Animal handling lane along back of pens allows one person to move cows • Gates are located and hinged to direct cows in and out of pens and into stanchions • Allows for individual cow observation and feeding ' • Labor is required to keep pen clean and to add bedding during long term stays. A close-up cow is placed in an individual pen before calving. While in the pen. each cow is fed individually, making it easy to identify eating habits. During calving, gates can be opened to expand the area available for assisted calvings. The fresh cow is kept in the pen and closely observed for as long as desired. The access alley allows individual cows to be taken easi ly to the milking parlor. When the cow no longer needs special attention, she is moved to the milking herd. Characteristics of the close-up/matemity/post-fresh freestall bam: • Separate bedded pack area for small group of close up cows Dairy of m Distinction I f w <e •» w«N ■■ 48" PORTABLE FAN will move more air, built to lastl Jillyn.* gas, electric or hydraulic 6 blade fan We are interested in Helping Farmers with Any Brand Silo Unloader We possibly can fix your unloader. See us for your silo pipe, distributor, tripod and cable repairs. If we don’t have your unloader parts in stock, we will make them at less cost. Lancaster Silo Co., Inc. 2008 Horseshow Rd. • Lancaster, PA • (717) 299-3721 CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-770-3721 Robert Graves Professor Agricultural And Biological Engineering Penn State Management CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PENNSYLVANIA DAIRY OF DISTINCTION AWARD WINNERS. HAY FEEDER NEW SILOS FOR SALE • Cows cared'fdr as group • TMR wagon feeding • Tractor manure removal • More space per cow than in dry cow area. • Maternity pens at the rear of the close up cow area • Cows moved to pens immediately before calving Normally occupied for a short period of time Access from back for caretaking and cow and calf removal. Pen maintenance by hand or tractor through close up cow area. . • Minimum number of maternity pens for short term stay during calving • No facilities for long-term feeding of cows in maternity pen. • Requires regular observation of cows in close up area • A small two-row section of freestalls allows post fresh cows to be kept separate from herd for feeding and observation. • Restraint and treatment facilities. • Separate convalescence area with TMR wagon feeding and tractor manure removal. Shortly before calving, cows are moved to the prefresh cow bedded area. The small number of animals and more area per cow allows better individu al observation and care. If an inadvertent calving occurs in this area, prob ’ lems are less likely because of the small number of animals and regular addition of clean bedding. With frequent observation, cows can be moved to the adjacent maternity pens when calving begins. Shortly aftercalving, fresh cows are moved to the post fresh freestall area for special feeding and observation until they are ready to join the main herd. The freestall area should have convenient access to milking facilities. The convalescence area has easy access to feed and water, can be subdi vided, and is close to the treatment and restraint facilities. Editor’s Note: This article appeared in Agricultural & Biological Engi neering Notes. Some Tips (Continued from Pago 28) get the building to a “shell*’ that will accept the new floor plan? Things to consider include concrete, post, parti tion. and pen removal. How long will it take to renovate the building and who will do it? Can I do it on rainy days or is special equipment and outside labor required? • Structural. Will posts have to be ★ Programs ★ Balanced Rations based on homegrown ★improve Butterfat feedstuffs' test results Production ★ Improve your bottom 7 Improve Herd Heatlh line profit margin * lm P rove Reproduction ★ On Farm Consultation Symo-Life, Inc. (V) Ln 3507 US 62 Millersburg, Ohio 44654 Toll Free 1-800-544-7122 Toll Free 1-800-368-6692 (in Ohio) Management On Remodeling (outside Ohio) Telephone (330) 893-2732 moved? How much structural repair is necessary? The cost of preparing the building for its new use (removal of existing equipment, moving posts, repairs etc.) should be no more than 60-80 percent of the cost of a new shell. What are the projected long-term repair and maintenance cost of an existing building compared to a new building? ★ Improve Milk Production
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