Friday, March 29, 2024

Get stock ready for Gypsy Day

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Dairy farmers preparing stock for transport in the next week, ahead of Gypsy Day on June 1, should ensure animal health plays a big part in their planning, DairyNZ says.
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The annual movement day has thousands of dairy cows being transported as sharemilkers and farm owners move to new farms for the 2014-15 dairy season.

DairyNZ animal husbandry and welfare team manager Chris Leach said a good plan ensured stock arrived at their destination fit and well for the winter.

“A cow’s diet is a good place to start. Provide magnesium for three to four days either side of transport – 12-20g of elemental magnesium/cow/day will help manage drops in blood magnesium due to transport stress.

“If dusting CausMag, this equates to 80-100g/cow/day,” Leach said.

“If going on to different feed, cows need a feed transition plan.

“Gradually ease them on to new feed over a week to 10 days prior to transport.

“If feeding crops over winter, allocate one to two hours of crop each day on the milking platform, while grazing pasture or feeding silage. This will help minimise the effects of a sudden change in diet.

“Animals must also be fit, healthy and able to bear weight on all four legs when being moved so all farmers should check cows for any signs of ill health. Talk to your vet if you have any concerns.”

Before transport, farmers should stand cows off green feed for four to 12 hours before the journey.

Preparing to shift stock

 

  • The main things farmers should consider when moving any stock.
  • Check cows are fit, healthy and strong and able to bear weight on all four legs.
  • Cows have a body condition score (BCS) of three or more. Any animal with a BCS less than three needs immediate attention.
  • Cows are given dietary magnesium (12-20g/cow/day) for three days before and after transport.
  • A feed transition plan is used to help cows adjust their metabolism to winter grazing and protect their health.
  • Stock are held off green feed for 4-12 hours before transport to reduce effluent.
  • Cows in their last three months of pregnancy are treated with patience and care.
  • Check the experience and knowledge of those managing the cows’ welfare.
  • Feed and water is provided immediately when the cows arrive at their destination.
  • Quarantine theileria-risk stock for seven days and treat for ticks if necessary.

Cows should have access to good quality hay, baleage or dry feed and water. Use a grazed out paddock or standoff pad, rather than concrete. A grazed-out paddock was often best because it gave cows space to lie down.

North Island dairy farmers were also reminded to look for theileriosis in cattle, which was on the increase.

“Theileriosis is transmitted by ticks and the single most important factor in its spread from farm to farm is the movement of stock,” Leach said.

“Farmers moving stock need to make sure the animals leaving are healthy and not tick-infected.”

Farmers introducing new stock to their farm had to be aware of the animals’ health status and whether they were from the North Island and had been treated for ticks. That stock must be quarantined for at least seven days, monitored for signs of anaemia and ticks and treated.

Good planning and a team member skilled in transporting stock were key to ensuring that Gypsy Day ran smoothly and cows arrived in good condition.

The DairyNZ website has further information and resources, including a Checklist for Transporting Cows. Visit www.dairynz.co.nz/transportingstock for more information.

Farmers were also encouraged to ensure their NAIT requirements were met – visit www.nait.co.nz to find out more.

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