Play all audios:
4 AUGUST 2000 ------------------------- TACKLE FAT COWS NOW OR FACE CALVING WOES By James Garner ACT immediately to reduce autumn calving cow condition scores or face more calving
difficulties this year. This is the advice from Signet and SAC beef consultants, who feel that good summer grass growth for much of the country will mean many cows are in better condition
than normal years. Ideally, two months is needed to get condition off sucklers, says Signet beef specialist Geoff Fish. "If you are coming up to calving now, youve missed your
chance." SACs Basil Lowman agrees that time is of the essence for many producers now. "Its a question of acting yesterday rather than today." Undoubtedly there are more fat
cows about this year, says Dr Lowman. "Any autumn calving cows in condition score three or above are too fat and are likely to cause calving problems." Also he points out that
producers picking out likely candidates for calving problems should not forget what type of bull they used. "Cows put to Continental type bulls, or those with a negative score EBV for
calving ease should be closely watched." With most autumn-calving herds short on time, options for reducing cow condition may be limited. "Its too late for many herds to delay
weaning, but this can be a good way of keeping condition off cows when theres plenty of grass," says Mr Fish. But calves must be weaned at least a month before calving to allow cows to
rest. Dr Lowman explains that calves left on longer than this will reduce the cows ability to produce good quality colostrum for her next calf. "It may be born healthy but die of scours
a month later because of poor quality colostrum." Most suckler owners will try and put cows on their barest fields, says Mr Fish, in rare occasions producers may consider bringing cows
in. But this year housing cattle may be the best option, says Dr Lowman. "Draw your fat cows out and house. Give them straw and 1.5kg/head a day of 20% crude protein concentrate with
vitamins and minerals. Once cows have calved put them back outside because it costs too much money to keep them in." A variation of this feeding regime has been used in East Anglia,
says Mr Fish. "Some have fed straw watered with liquid urea. Cows taken off grass sometimes lack bugs in the rumen to digest straw and liquid urea stimulates bug development and helps
cows digest food better." Dr Lowman says another benefit of calving fatter cows inside is that they will be easier to assist if there are any problems. But he warns producers to remain
vigilant even after calving. Cows in too good a condition are more prone to digestive disorders such as hypomagnesia and milk fever. "It is worth buying some bottles of calcium and
magnesium ready to treat these two disorders before you start calving," adds Dr Lowman. * _Delaying weaning _ _is a _ _good option for keeping condition off cows when theres
plenty of grass, but cows must have a months rest, says Geoff Fish. _ FATCOWS _• Act now._ _• Slim down if enough time._ _• House if necessary._