Dairy NZ

• Be vigilant for signs of lameness and check and maintain races to minimise lameness problems
• Monitor copper and selenium levels. Consider taking blood samples or liver biopsies of 6-10 cows in late autumn to determine if herd is at risk. Refer to DairyNZ Farmfacts: Sodium deficiency in dairy cattle (3-2) and Copper deficiency in NZ dairy cattle (3-3)
• Supplement other trace elements as necessary for your region. Refer to DairyNZ Farmfact: Trace element supplementation (3-4)
• Plan vaccinations for leptospirosis, BVD, rotavirus
• Consult veterinarian about any abortions to ensure rest of herd not at risk
• Continue monitoring facial eczema spore counts and supplementing with zinc as needed.

Mastitis

• Continue teat spraying after every milking. Check coverage and volume being used each month (about 20 mls per cow per milking)
• Continue monitoring for and treating mastitis
• If bulk tank SCC is at risk of grading, dry off early those cows with high SCC and/or low BCS
• Identify mastitis culls from clinical and herd test data records
• Book consultation with vet to decide most appropriate treatment approach for cows at drying off
• Set up grazing management so that per cow production drops below 10-12 litres before drying off. Grazing can be restricted to approximately 6-8 kg DM/day (maintenance) for first 12-14 days after drying off before improving body condition. Avoid muddy, soiled paddocks for recently dried off cows
• Check cows weekly (palpate or feel udders) for signs of clinical mastitis for first 3 weeks after drying off
• Set up maintenance schedule for milking machines, order replacement rubberware and book a machine test.