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In the past 10 years or so there has been a great deal of aMen6on paid to the one group dry cow program.
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Grouping Strategies for Free Stall Herds
Dry Cows!
•
Dry Cows!
The tradi6onal dry cow program consists of 2 groups:
The far away dry cow or FAD group (5 weeks)
The close up or CUD group (3 weeks) Cows that are caring mul6ples, under condi6oned or have a health or metabolic issue should go directly to the CUD group.
•
Dry Cows!
In the past 10 years or so there has been a great deal of aMen6on paid to the one group dry cow
program. 35 to 40 -‐day dry periods and a single cow group can
mean more milk in the tank, higher DMI in fresh cows and fewer groups to feed and manage.
Dry Cows!
One prac6cal limita6on on shorter dry periods that cannot be ignored is the milk withdrawal 6me for cows treated with dry cow treatment.
Most cows should be in proper BCS (3.5-‐4.0) and milking well in late lacta6on.
The herd should have accurate breeding records and a proven ability to have cows in the dry group for the planned number of days.
Dry Cows!
The Milking Herd!
Using a single-‐group TMR system in herds above 9,000 kg milk may offer the advantage of feeding
simplicity, labour, cow movement and produc6on poten6al but will result in more costly use of
expensive ingredients.
Having a separate group for 1st calf heifers is proving to be very effec6ve and
avoids bullying by older animals.
The Milking Herd!
Having a separate group for 1st calf heifers is proving to be very effec6ve and
avoids bullying by older animals. Similarly, a separate group for fresh cows being fed the milking TMR and some long hay for rumen fill, is proving to be beneficial in managing the transi6on
cow.
The Milking Herd!
The Milking Herd!
Balance TMR groups for milk produc6on:
30% above the actual average of a one-‐group system
20% for a two-‐group system
10% for a three-‐group system. This will challenge fresh cows and allow for replacing lost body condi6on in late-‐lacta6on cows.
The Milking Herd!
With more than one TMR grouping, do not move cows solely based on produc6on.
Also, take into account body condi6on score, age and breeding status.
High producing cows and 2-‐year olds may need to stay longer in the high string to allow for growth and
replenishing of lost body reserves.
When making group changes, move as many cows at one 6me as possible, overfeed slightly on move day, move at night when ac6vity is lowest to
reduce stress.
Calves and Heifers!
Calves should be kept as individuals from birth to 2 weeks post weaning.
This will range from about 7 to 10 weeks depending on the age of weaning on individual farms.
A[er weaning and up to 6 months of age heifers can be put into groups of about 5. This strategy is o[en not followed but can have a huge impact on calf
growth and health.
Calves and Heifers!
Calves and Heifers!
At 6 to 12 months heifers do well in groups of 10.
A[er 12 months of age, heifers can go in to rela6vely large groups which will be dictated by pen/pasture
size. It is important that the animals are not crowded as younger and 6mid animals will suffer, there can be
parasite build up and bunks/waters maybe controlled by boss animals.
•
Calves and Heifers!
Calves and Heifers!
• Breeding heifers are usually grouped together and moved out as they become pregnant.
Pregnant and FAD heifers (and o[en cows) usually form a group.
• CUD heifer should be managed in an iden6cal fashion
to CUD cows.