News April - May, 2021
Higher producing cows rest more ~Doug Moyer, Technical Advisor, CentralStar Cooperative
ows like humans need rest to run at peak performance. Yes, maximum production starts with good genetics but is captured because of good feed, good management, and comfortable cows. Rest is an important factor in cow comfort and one that is often overlooked. Did you know cows should rest about 12 hours a day, and activity on the dairy that impedes their ability to achieve this has been shown to have a negative impact on production? In fact, there’s research supporting this notion (to the right) you will find interesting. Disrupting a cow’s ability to rest does not always happen in obvious ways. Overcrowding, heat stress, and extended time in lock ups or the holding pen can by themselves have a significant impact. But disruptions are cumulative, meaning they add up throughout the day creating an environment that makes it difficult for cows to rest completely and subsequently perform at their peak. Savvy producers are increasingly looking for ways to minimize human interaction and interference in their cow’s natural behavior. By doing so cows have the best chance of performing at an elite level. Robots allow cows to be milked when they choose, robotic feed pushers ensure cows have consistent access to feed, and activity monitors reduce the need for fresh pen lock ups and
synchronization shots. While you are familiar with these technologies, another which can significantly decrease disruption to cows is using milk-based diagnostics, such as pregnancy testing.
Opportunities that allow one of the biggest expenses (labor) and biggest sources of revenue (milk production) to benefit simultaneously are rare and too good to pass up.
A growing motivation to move to milk pregnancy testing is the benefits to the cow, which influence her ability to achieve maximum production. Every time we remove a trip through the pen to find cows, we positively impact the entire pen. Not only are the needed cows not sorted, marked, or handled; but their pen mates are no longer collateral damage.
Consider what steps you have taken to provide an environment for your cows that not only provides maximum comfort but also minimizes disturbances. Milk-based diagnostics are just one more way CentralStar can enhance your profitability, but don’t take my word for it - ask the 5 million cows pregnancy tested last year, no wait they are resting, and didn’t even know it happened.
It is difficult and probably impossible to calculate the exact cost any single disruption has on a cow’s production. Resting time impacts milk yield But is it necessary to know? In the Research represented in the graph below, shows the pursuit of operating impact reduced resting time has on production. One hour your dairy at an of lost resting time leads to approximately 3.5 lbs (1.7kg) elite level, why less milk/day. Allowing cows opportunities to remain ignore the chance undisturbed can have significant returns. to contribute to a cow’s opportunity to perform a key 50 function impacting production… rest. Today’s dairies run on schedules and routines with tasks needing to be accomplished systematically to ensure the entire operation runs efficiently.
Milk yield (kg/d)
C
45 41 36
32 7
10
13
Resting time (hours)
17
Cow #98 Decreased Rumination
IT’S TIME... to optimize herd comfort and performance with routine milk pregnancy testing.
Time to Rest
Least invasive method to confirm pregnancy. Promotes resting time which is associated with improved production. Research shows one hour of lost resting time leads to approximately 3.5 lbs. less milk/day/cow.
Saves Time
Conduct through routine DHI samples. Eliminates time and labor to sort, restrain and palpate animals.
Now is the Time
At 98% accurate, the milk pregnancy test identifies pregnancy status as early as 28-days post breeding until dry off.
800.631.3510 • mycentralstar.com
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CowManager provides round-the-clock monitoring of your herd’s rumination, eating, resting, temperature and activity, making managing your dairy easier and more profitable.
800.631.3510 • mycentralstar.com
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800.631.3510 • mycentralstar.com