DAIRY COW NUTRITION DURING
SUMMER

The year's production on dairy farms can be materially affected by feed conditions during summer. Cows fed poorly now, the Department of Agriculture points out, not only produce less milk during summer, but dry off earlier in autumn. Dairy statistics show that long lactation is very important, so the feeding of silage or other supplementary milk-producing fodders should be started as soon as pasture begins to dry off. Supplementary feeding should not be left until milk production shows a material fall.

SHEARING OF EWES WITH LAMBS

The Department of Agriculture advises farmers that if ewes with lambs are to be shorn, every effort must be made to reduce the time during which lambs are away from the ewes, as it is easy to dry ewes off at this time of the year. They should be brought to the shed in small mobs and should be dagged before reaching the board.

PIG PRODUCTION IN SUMMER

Farrowed sows should receive a ration of 4 gallons of milk plus ⅔ gallon per pig suckled. Newly weaned pigs should not be overfed; the Department of Agriculture considers 1 ½ to 2 gallons per day in three feeds adequate for the first 14 days. The ration can then be slowly raised to 2 ½ gallons at the end of the first month, and after the first fortnight the number of feeds may be reduced to two per day.

Replacement breeding stock should be selected from the bacon pens. Those chosen should be the fastest-growing sows with good strong feet and at least 12 well placed teats.

COWS RETURNING TO THE BULL

If cows are returning to service, the mating records should be examined to see if any particular bull is to blame. If so, a veterinarian or Livestock Instructor of the Department of Agriculture should collect a semen sample for examination. Washing out cows seldom helps and may cause trouble if irritant fluids such as kerosene are used. It pays to consult a veterinarian as soon as the cows are noticed returning to service in unusual numbers, because the bull might be sterile or infected with disease that prevents conception of cows.

Care is necessary when a replacement bull is bought, and if possible it should be a young bull that has not been used previously. A bull should never be bought in the saleyard unless his full history is known.