Proactive Animal Health and Productivity

As we head into the new season, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of calving and farm management. However, maintaining a proactive approach will help prevent larger issues from occurring and remain on track for strong production and reproductive success.

Transition Management & Metabolic Health

The transition of cows from dry to milking has a significant impact on their ability to reach peak milk production and return to calving. The use of diet calculators, feed budgets, and spring rotation planners, alongside feed and blood tests, allows for the adjustment of nutrient intake in response to changing pasture conditions relevant to this season. 

Mastitis Prevention & Udder Health

As most mastitis infections are introduced around the time a cow calves, ensure prevention strategies are part of the routine for freshly calved cows:

• • Keep springers and colostrum cows on the cleanest pasture available
  • Milk cows as soon as possible after calving
  • Strip quarters daily to identify and treat mastitis early
  • Keep tails trimmed and washing and drying heavily contaminated udders
  • Cover all teats with correctly mixed teat spray at high-risk rates.

Cow Health and Production

If you have wearable technology in place, monitor health alerts and examine flagged cows to allow early treatment as required.

At a herd level, monitoring production and milk protein percentages, cow condition, and rumen fill alongside, for those with wearable data, regular checks of rumination rates and variability, early cycling assessments and health alert trends.

Early metrichecking, ideally in batches every two weeks, allows for prompt treatment of uterus infection and recovery before mating begins.

Calf Health & Disease Prevention

Early care for calves lays the foundation for their lifelong health and productivity. Ensuring they receive high-quality, tested, warm colostrum within the first 4–6 hours after birth is crucial for building immunity. Good nutrition continues with milk requirements calculated based on requirements for maintenance and desired growth rates, alongside access to fresh water and high-quality meal from day one.

Additional proactive steps include:

• • Calving into the cleanest and most sheltered paddocks available
  • Collection of calves as soon as possible after birth
  • Spraying navels with iodine before transport
  • Close attention to shed hygiene as the season progresses.

With good plans in place and attention to detail, you’re setting yourself up for a smooth calving. However, if challenges arise, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian —we’re here to support you. The sooner issues are identified, and changes to preventative measures are implemented, the smaller the overall impact will be.

All the best for the season ahead!

Dr Ilyse Jennens - Farm Vet & Branch Manager Franklin Vets, Waitakaruru