Why do we feed the Dry cow differently?
The cow may be compared to a factory. We put feed in one end and take the digested waste out the other end and harvest her production from the udder.
This issue will be rather short because I intend to make it simple. The key to the entire subject of care of the dry cow is emphasized by my first sentence. When the cow is not producing milk we need to remember her requirement for protein is not as great. Our modern nutritionists are very clever to include enough protein to be sure that it is not a factor in slowing down a cow’s ability to give lots of milk. The farmer too, is often a believer in the axiom, "if a little is good more is better".
There are several factors that are very important in care of the dry cow.
One factor that is often overlooked, especially in the northern US where I live. We have some poor cows that are locked in a stanchion for maybe two months. I think it is cruel and terrible treatment. The dry cow needs to be able to get some exercise. The good farms that I call on manage this is several ways. One of the best I know of is a farm that gives the drys a long and rather narrow corral. The feed and shelter are on one end and the water is on the other. These cows often calve without incident.
This, I believe is the best goal for the dry cow management. If we can have them calve without incident we have done the right thing.
Cow comfort is one other thing that pays big dividends for the dry cow. The heavy springer is just like other pregnant mammal in every species. My wife was clumsy and uncomfortable at the end of her pregnancies. I know that the best producers I know try to use everything they can think of to avoid overcrowding, give ample area for them to rest and when it is expedient give them bedding. The best place for a cow to lie down in my opinion is out on some nice green grass.
The important factor is diet. You can get the correct balance of nutrients by forage testing. There is really no excuse for over feeding protein. Remember that the calf doubles in size in the last month of pregnancy.
The calf that weighs 100 pounds or 60 Kilograms will have about 4% of its body weight as mineral. That must be supplied in the diet.
If you need to supplement minerals, include vitamins as well and have your nutritionist follow the pattern he has found gives success in your area. Different areas have different nutrient values in the forages so I advise using a testing lab so you know what you are doing.
Now I have saved the best for the last. Be sure to check the water for nitrates. Anything over 45 ppm is no good for the pregnant mother. If the forage has nitrates as grasses in the early spring in New Zealand and Australia often do, the tolerance for nitrate in the water is even less.
The difference between protein feeds (CHON protein) and energy feeds (CHO or carbohydrate) is the inclusion of the element Nitrogen or N in the chemical shorthand. Nitrogen wastes are eliminated in the urine. The pregnant female at the end of her gestation is eliminating the urine wastes from her own body and the fetus as well. There is an extra load on the pregnant female’s kidney. Do not insult her with the neglect on your part of not knowing what the level of nitrate is in the diet.
This is the most profitable time for you to utilize your laboratory. There are ways to limit nitrate ingestion in the diet but you have to know what you are doing and this is the critical time in the cow and the babies life.
Believe in yourself with all your might.
Doc Bob the cow doc