Transition (Pre Calving)
(3 weeks immediately pre and post calving)
Feed energy dense and specialist concentrates immediately pre and post calving to make up for the cow’s appetite loss and as an aid to reduce metabolic disease.
The cow’s appetite suddenly drops immediately pre and post calving whilst at the same time requirements for energy and minerals increase significantly. Feeding an energy dense concentrate during the 6 week 'transition period’ starting 21 days before calving helps fill this energy gap and reduce metabolic disorders.
In addition, pre and post calving is a crucial period for intake of minerals such as Calcium and Magnesium. Feed concentrates are useful carriers of minerals and other specialist products to reduce the incidence of metabolic disease, improving both short term and long term production. Introducing concentrates before calving will also allow adjustment to the new feed prior to peak demand, and minimise pasture shortfalls.
The transition period is suited to feeding energy dense concentrates, ideally including minerals and other specialist additives to reduce metabolic disease.
NRM Calcigard is a feed concentrate that reduces the incidence of calcium deficiency (Milk Fever). In recent New Zealand trials feeding 1 kg of Calcigard per day reduced the incidence of Milk Fever from 17% to 6% AND increased milk-solid production during early lactation by 8%. Whilst milk production was not measured beyond this period on all farms, those measured showed the milk production response continued during lactation.
NRM Calcigard was developed in conjunction with Dr Gavin Wilson of Massey University, and is a break-through feeding regime for the last 21 days of pregnancy. This feed concentrate stimulates the capacity of the newly calved cow to absorb calcium and overcome milk fever, as well as providing an energy dense source to minimise weight loss when cows intakes are low.
NRM NRG is the energy dense feed concentrate of choice after calving, or in dairy herds where metabolic disease is not an issue.
In field trials over 1200 cows on 7 commercial dairy farms with a previous history of milk fever, the average return of $85 per cow cost just $15 in NRM Calcigard. That’s $70 per cow extra profit.
Dr Gavin Wilson of Massey University estimated the extra profit from NRM Calcigard on a typical NZ dairy farm at $40/cow. That’s $4000 for every 100 cows.