Keeping your cows rumen healthy

Transition cow management

The transition phase for dairy cows consists of the dry period, both far-off and close-up, calving and the start of the next lactation. It is the most important period in the production cycle of the cow.

Research shows that over 80% of health and performance problems occur due to poor management and nutrition in this period. Better transition cow nutrition can result in:

• Easier calving
• Improved calf performance
• Better cow health
• Improved cow performance

Key focus areas

The chart below shows the areas to concentrate on for the different phases in the transition period:

Good transition and dry cow management can ensure maximum dry matter intakes post-calving, as the rumen papillae take only 2-3 weeks to reach their maximum size and maximum absorption rate. The converse is that poor management of this crucial period can see this papillae re-generation development extended to 8 weeks, which will reduce dry matter intakes, peak litres and the drive to visit the robot.

Palatable feed and fresh clean water

Previous technical notes have referenced the importance of the solid foundation of high quality home grown forages and fresh palatable feed mixes in the trough which will support rumen health. Along with unrestricted access to good clean water and remembering that the cow would like between 80 and 120 litres of clean fresh water per day, ideally from a water trough.

Feed trough space and easy reach of feed, will optimise intakes and reduce stress. Are all cows able to eat at the same time? Is there sufficient time in the 24 hour period for her to eat her allocation? Trough feed should be available for a minimum of 20-21 hours/day. Is each mix consistent? Cows crave consistency.

Rumination and acidosis

Finding a balance between acid loading and buffering capacity is important for maintaining a healthy rumen and maximising milk production. Feeds that drive milk production generally increase acid loading and the risk of acidosis, whereas feeds that improve rumen health can limit milk output. The correct balance of forage and feed and its influence on rumen health can be done by using our Feed2Milk ‘nutrients’ of Acidosis Index (AI) and Rumination Index (RI).

Tip for good rumen heath

Consider the risk periods and risk factors for acidosis; the highest risk times are the last week before calving and the first 4 weeks after calving, therefore transition management is key. The risk factors would include; high concentrate diets, unbalanced diets, insufficient fibre/effective fibre (lower saliva levels) and poor transition from the dry period.

Here are some tips on how to improve rumen health and performance:

• Avoid acidosis:
  Correct starch and sugar content
  Correct forage:concentrate ratio
  Correct presentation of trough mix to avoid sorting
  Correct digestible fibre and effective fibre
  
• Provide a consistent mix
  Consistent chemical properties
  Consistent physical properties > evaluate with Penn State Separator
  Consistent dry matter
  
• Maintain accuracy of loading and mixing the ration
• Pay attention to the introduction of heifers

There are a number of other areas that will have some impact on a healthy rumen and a heathy cow but these move away from the feeding and nutrition side into cow comfort of access and space, along with floor surfaces and potential impact on hoof health and lameness. If a cow is uncomfortable on her feet she will not visit the robot of the feed trough/feed fence as often as she should and this will impact intakes and rumen health too.