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- Condition score herd every 2-3 weeks, scoring at least 70 cows
- Focus on the cows that are below the BCS target - feed/dry off to achieve BCS and feed cover targets
- Consider OAD in separate herd to protect young, thin cows by reducing the energy needed for walking, maintain feed intake
- Autumn pasture is not as efficient as high quality supplements (grain, PKE, maize and pasture silage) and therefore cows take longer to put weight on pasture-only diets than pasture plus supplements (supplements fed to meet requirements above maintenance) as shown by the table below.
Dry-off time based on body condition score and time to calving
|
BCS |
BCS |
Days cows need to be dried off before calving (1) |
Days cows need to be dried off before calving (1) |
|
Cow |
Rising 3 year old |
Autumn pasture |
Autumn pasture + supplement fed above maintenance |
|
3.0 |
3.5 |
160 |
120 |
|
3.5 |
4.0 |
130 |
100 |
|
4.0 |
4.5 |
100 |
80 |
|
4.5 |
5.0 |
70 |
60 |
| 5.0 |
5.5 |
Calving |
Calving |
