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Grouping Strategies for Free Stall Herds

Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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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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Page 1: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

Grouping  Strategies  for  Free  Stall  Herds  

Page 2: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

Dry Cows!

•     

Page 3: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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.  

•     

Page 4: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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.  

Page 5: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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.  

Page 6: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

Dry Cows!

Page 7: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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.  

Page 8: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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.  

Page 9: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

The Milking Herd!

Page 10: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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.  

Page 11: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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.  

Page 12: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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.  

Page 13: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

Calves and Heifers!

Page 14: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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.  

•     

Page 15: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

Calves and Heifers!

Page 16: Grouping strategies for free stall herds

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.  

Page 17: Grouping strategies for free stall herds