On this week’s episode of The Dairy Edge, dairy advisor Kay O’Connell joins Emma-Louise Coffey to address priority tasks from supporting cow and calf health to setting up the farm for the grazing season of 2024.
Kay recommends that farmers complete a spring rotation planner as a means of increasing the proportion of grazed grass in the dairy cow diet. Kay explains that grazed grass is highly digestible and high in protein and will support milk production and body condition in early lactation.
Kay discusses the considerations for Once-A-Day milking in early lactation. She explains that the biggest benefit comes from the labour savings. Addressing concerns about reduction in milk yield, Kay quantifies that during the 4 weeks OAD milking in early lactation, yield reduces by 22-24% but cows bounce back and there is no difference in overall production.
In terms of calf care, Kay emphasises the importance of the 1-2-3 of colostrum and hygiene in feeding implements and calf beds.
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