Nutrition Pre and Post-Calving: what should I be feeding? (Preparing for Calving Pt 1)

The Beef Edge

In advance of spring calving season, Teagasc Nutritionist, Aisling Claffey, and Teagasc Researcher and Vet, John Donlon, join Catherine Egan for a 3 part series on the Beef Edge podcast.

On the first part, Aisling Claffey focuses on nutrition pre and post calving.

Aisling explains how, at calving at this time of year, we see a lot of animal health problems. Obviously cow condition, particularly body conditions score is important relating to these issues.

Overall cows were in good condition at housing this winter, but during the dry period, cows should be fed 65-68 DMD silage to manage body condition. Cows should be penned accordingly to ensure that thin cows are not bullied at the feed barrier and receive adequate feed.

Many herds will have started feeding a pre calving mineral already and Aisling discusses the key ingredients in a pre-calving mineral to support foetal development.

There are a variety of options for supplementing minerals be it bolus, dusting or buckets.

Next week John Donlon will discuss calving the suckler cow.

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

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