Dry cows
When dry cows are referred dairy cows in phase between the previous lactation and birth of the calf following. During this time, the dairy cow's organism can regenerate. The dry period is usually around six to eight weeks. This time is also referred to as the valid time in southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria , cows are counted .
aims
The main objectives include:
- Regeneration of the mammary glands on the next lactation
- Preparation of the digestive system for increased energy expenditure during the next lactation
- Optimal supply of the developing calf with nutrients
- Maintaining optimal body condition of the cow.
- Avoidance or reduction of metabolic disorders such as ketosis and infectious diseases.
Physical changes
As a result of the drying off, a keratin plug forms after about six weeks , which closes the teat canal . Two weeks before calving begins Kolostrumbildung . In antibiotic dry quarters, the concentrations of the antimicrobial active ingredients fall below the minimum inhibitor concentration at this point.
Action
Milking frequency
Basically, two different ways of ending milking are practiced: on the one hand, abruptly stopping milking, on the other hand, reducing the milking frequency.
Use of antibiotics
An antibiotic drying off does not make sense in animals with a healthy udder. There are numerous methods available for determining health status. One of them is the shawm test (also California mastitis test ). The milk of each udder quarter is examined separately with the aid of a test liquid. Based on the color and fluidity of the mixture, conclusions can be drawn about health. Other methods work via conductivity measurements and determine the cell content of the milk. A cell content of 200,000 per ml is regarded as the limit value. However, an infection is then not necessarily present.
feeding
Usually a structure-rich TMR is fed with less energy. Usually a decrease in feed consumption can be observed in the last few days before calving. We try to avoid milk fever as much as possible. The aim is to achieve calcium levels below 4 g / kg dry matter in order to stimulate the cow's calcium mobilization from the bones. The cation-anion balance (DCAB) should assume a value of - 150 meq / kg DM. For this purpose, low-potassium feed is used, which is mainly done by reducing the amount of grass silage.
The use of the following feed additives is also being discussed:
- Propylene glycol
- Yeasts especially brewer's yeast
- protected protein carriers
- protected fats
- Niacin and B vitamins
- Buffer substances as well
- Humic acids.
However, the test results for these additives are not all unambiguous, in some cases even contrary.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Vetion.de drying off dairy cows ( Memento of the original from July 18, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Vetion.de Prophylaxis of udder infections ( Memento of the original of July 18, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ LfL Bayern, Recommendations for feeding high-performance cows in the phases of the end of lactation, dry period and start of lactation, Dr. Hubert Spiekers, Institute for Animal Nutrition and Forage Management, Grub (PDF)
