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