Knowing what to do will reduce the immediate impact of the flood and planning strategies to deal with the aftermath will allow for a quicker recovery.
Calf and cow welfare during calving
It is highly likely more cows will calve early. Ensure regular calf pick up can be achieved where practically possible. Keep up regular observation of cows and spot abnormal behaviour that can be a sign of metabolic disorders.
Try to supplement post calving (colostrum cows) with calcium. Ground limeflour can be mixed in with feed and fed in-shed, or made into a slurry with molasses and poured onto bales. Read more.
Transporting stock
Cows being fit for transport and correct supplementation will be critical. Refer to the transport guidelines here.
Standing cows off
- If standing cows off on concrete for 12 hours + a day for 3 days in succession, cows should be given at least one full day on an alternate surface to rest.
- To prevent mastitis in a standoff situation - regular application of teat spray, dry cows included. This might mean running the cows through the shed.
Feed
- Many farmers need alternative grazing for their young stock.
- Ring the RST on 0800 787 254 for requests and offers of feed and grazing.
- Cows producing 1.6kgMS require a diet with 18% protein (higher if producing more)
- If no grass is available you cannot feed cows 100% PKE in early lactation - but can feed up to 7kg PKE as long as they have effective fibre from silage.
Feeding silted pasture
- Silt can stop rumen function and may contain pathogens such as lepto, neospora or BVD that have been washed in from another site upstream.
- Graze silted pasture with dry cows for just 2-3 hours at a time. Follow up with quality unsilted feed.
For more information
- Crisis Priority Checklist
- Wet weather management handout
- Decision tree for flooded land document
- Managing stressed stock
- Managing stressed people
- Action Plan responding to floods in South Otago
Call the DairyNZ Farmer Information Service on 0800 4 DAIRYNZ (0800 4 324 7969).
You can also call the Rural Support Trust in your area or contact your local DairyNZ Consulting Officer.