Spring is the season that many dairy farmers eagerly anticipate as it marks the beginning of the grazing period for their cows. After months of costly winter housing and feeding, the sight of cows happily grazing on fresh spring grass is a welcome relief. However, managing milk quality during this period is crucial as it directly impacts milk prices.
Grass is the cheapest form of feed for dairy cows, but it can also present nutritional challenges. Spring grass is highly digestible but may lack structural fibre and have high crude protein levels, making it essential for dairy farmers to carefully manage their grazing pastures to ensure optimal milk quality. Let’s explore some top tips for managing milk quality during the turnout period.
Top tips for managing milk quality at turnout
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Allow ample time for adjustment: Moving cows outdoors to spring grazing should be done gradually, allowing 2-3 weeks for rumen microbes to adjust from the housed diet. This adjustment period also gives time for ground conditions to improve, especially after wet weather.
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Maximise the proportion of quality grass: Balancing the supply of quality grass for grazing with the grazing demand throughout the season is key to boosting milk protein levels. Maintaining a grass wedge with optimal pre-grazing cover levels helps ensure each grazing is as productive as possible.
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Watch out for SARA: Sub-acute Rumen Acidosis (SARA) can affect cows turned out to grass, especially during the spring. Spring sunshine raises sugars in green plants, challenging rumen function and potentially leading to SARA. Buffer feeding cows outdoors and ensuring sufficient physical fibre intake can help prevent this condition.
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Monitor for milk fever: Freshly turned out cows are at risk of developing milk fever due to low magnesium levels in grazed grass. Supplementing with mineral supplements can help prevent this condition, which can impact milk production and quality.
- Implement milk recording: Milk recording provides valuable data on individual cow performance and milk quality. It allows farmers and vets to make informed decisions about managing cows that may need attention, based on production figures, butterfat, protein, urea, ketosis, and cell counts.
By following these tips and closely monitoring milk quality during the spring grazing period, dairy farmers can maximise milk production from forage while keeping feed costs down. Maintaining a balance between grazing management and nutritional needs is key to ensuring both the health of the cows and the profitability of the farm.
At the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in Northern Ireland, research has shown that grazing management in the spring can significantly impact milk protein production later in the season. By focusing on optimal grassland management practices and adjusting stocking levels, fertiliser applications, and grazing areas, dairy farmers can overcome the challenges of maintaining quality grass throughout the season.
Conclusion
The spring grazing period is a critical time for dairy farmers to manage milk quality and maximise milk production from forage. By following best practices for grazing management, monitoring for potential health issues like SARA and milk fever, and implementing milk recording, dairy farmers can ensure optimal milk quality and profitability on their farms. As the cows happily graze on fresh spring grass, dairy farmers can rest assured that their efforts in managing milk quality will lead to a successful and productive season ahead. Don’t forget to subscribe to Cattle Weekly’s newsletter for more insights and tips on dairy farming!
