Take care of Sellers/Buyers

[ag_aman2004]

Dear all,

I have purchased a cow from a seller in Kaveripattinam near Krishnagri. He showed a cow with a big stomach, lean neck, good udder structure and perfect outfit with the symptoms of pregnant. He said she is in late dry stage and calving will be within maximum of 10 to 15 days. He did not allow me to touch the teats for checking. I trusted his impressive words and I bought the cow at his high price and brought to my farm along with other cows I bought in the same town. But this cow gave birth after three and half month. Almost more than 6,000 Rupees I lost on this cow. Money is not the issue here.

As I learned, if a cow is pregnant, milking to be stopped in between 50 to 55 days prior to calve. If we give more days (more than 55) for dry period, next yield will be very low. If we give fewer days (less than 47) for dry period, there will be nutrients deficiency in cow and calf, cause lot of problems and troubles in future like milk fever etc.

In my case, almost 109 days (double dry period), the cow was in dry period. I don’t know how many days before he stopped the milking. Yield will be very low in forthcoming lactation. Yes, now the cow gives only seven litters of milk per day after calving (4 weeks before). All other cow gives 16 - 20 ltr/day.

As per this cow structure, it should not less than15 ltr/day. Because of that more gap, I am getting low yield.

Even, that seller can make more money in some other business. His place is opposite to a high school in Kaveripattinam. I paid him more money even though, I was cheated.

I want to say something to Sellers.

No one will stop you to sell your cattle for more money. But be a truthful to the buyers/farmers by giving proper information about the cow. Don’t try to cheat the buyers/farmers. You earned money immediately after selling, but the farmer has to wait so long to get back the money.

So please be a real human in this cattle business

Dear Buyers, please take care when you buy/sell a cow

Thanks
Amanullah Ag

 

[sri2012]

Thanks for sharing the information.

I hope the animal will be normal in next calving.

 

[ag_aman2004]

Hi,

So I have to wait for another 13 to 15 months?

 

[ag_aman2004]

Hi Murali,

At that time, I don't have any mediator or broker and also I saw that cow more than what you defined. Problem is lie, even I paid enough money to the seller.

Dear buyers, be aware from that lire.


Regards
Amanullah Ag.

 

[niksnarayana]

Hi Amanullah
I have some doubts over your statement

As I learned, if a cow is pregnant, milking to be stopped in between 50 to 55 days prior to calve. If we give more days (more than 55) for dry period, next yield will be very low. If we give fewer days (less than 47) for dry period, there will be nutrients deficiency in cow and calf, cause lot of problems and troubles in future like milk fever etc.

We had also purchased a cow with a similar condition as yours, it delivered almost after 4 months.
But it gave almost 30 litres per day in its lactation. Some my doubt is about the longer dry period being the reason for milk drop. I couldnt find any data on internet that supports this claim.
Can you please let me know how you got that information and how true it is?

Reason I am concerned is we have couple good cows which concieved very late and have almost 5 months to go for delivery and are already dry.

Thanks
Nikhil

 

[ag_aman2004]

Hi Nikil,

I have lot of documents. Let me go thru and I will send you

Regards
Amanullah Ag.

 

[ag_aman2004]

Hi Nikil,

Let me send you some more document

But go thru below..

Link

Management of dry cows

Management of dry cows Afrikaans | Xhosa
The dry period extends from the end of lactation until the cow calves again. In the production cycle of the cow this is a critical period, since she is now heavily pregnant with a fast growing foetus. During this period the nourishment of dry cows should not be neglected.

The purpose of the dry period is to provide the milk producing tissue in the udder with the opportunity to regenerate. This process lasts for about six weeks. In cases where the ewes are not allowed a dry period, the decrease in milk production during the subsequent lactation can be as high as 30%. The dry period also provides the rumen with an opportunity to recover. During the dry period the condition of cows must be maintained. An effort may be made to improve the condition of cows that are very weak.

The gestation period of cows lasts for nine months, and in the last eight weeks before calving the foetus grows exceptionally fast. About 60% of the increase resulting in the birth mass of the calf takes place during this period. The nutrition supplied to the cow during the dry period must at least ensure that foetal growth takes place.

Duration of the dry period

The dry period must last from about 42 to 60 days. Both a short as well as a very long dry period will have an adverse effect upon the milk production of cows during the next lactation.

The drying up date

In order to determine the drying up date, the expected calving date must be known. This is calculated from the servicing date, once it has been confirmed that the cow is pregnant. The average gestation period of cows varies from 275 to 283 days. To determine the drying up date, sixty days are subtracted from the expected calving date.

Drying up method

Prior to drying up, the milk production of cows must be reduced. The feeding of concentrates must cease, while cows may also be fed straw. Cows are dried up in the following way:

Cows are dried up by suspending milking. If a cow has a high milk production of 20 kg or more, she must be milked only once per day during the last two to three days before drying up. The cow may also be fed straw to reduce her milk production. Although the water intake may also be limited, this must not be done during very hot weather conditions.
At the last milking a long-lasting dry cow antibiotic must be administered to each of the four quarters to ensure that during the dry period the udder will not be infected by bacteria causing mastitis. For the first week after drying up, cows must be watched carefully. The pressure of milk in an udder that is not drained causes the gradual re-absorption of the milk, and this in turn suppresses milk production. The result is that the cow dries up, after which she can be moved to the dry cow group.
Feeding during the dry period

The last 2 to 3 weeks before calving seems to be a critical period for the dry cow. At this time her hormonal status undergoes a dramatic change in anticipation of the imminent calving process and subsequent lactation. The cow usually loses her appetite with the result that she eats less, especially in the days just before calving. After calving this may result in disease conditions such as ketosis, fat livers, displaced abomasums, and stuck placentas.

There is a strong relationship between the intake of dry material before and after calving. This means that cows that are poor feeders before calving, will also be inclined to feed poorly after calving. The result is that the production of such cows will be below par, and that they will also present increased physiological and reproductive problems.

It is important that cows should be in a good condition when they are dried up. Lean cows do not have sufficient energy reserves to maintain high production during early lactation, since their energy needs exceed their energy intake. Excessive fat in cows is also undesirable, since excessively fat cows eat less and are more inclined to present metabolic and reproductive problems.

It is important that cows be given coarse fodder of a good quality and rough texture during the first four to six weeks of the dry period. During this period maize silage, grass hay, small grain hay or silage, and grass pasture or grass and clover pasture may be successfully used as food sources for dry cows. Restrict the intake of maize silage to prevent cows becoming too fat. A suitable lick must always be supplied together with the coarse fodder to ensure that the mineral and trace element status of the cow is built up.

The last three weeks of the dry period can be used to accustom the cow to concentrates. The feeding of concentrates can commence with 1kg/cow/day, and be increased systematically to about 3kg/day just before calving. Only coarse fodder with a low potassium content should be supplied during this period. Good examples of such fodder are maize silage and small grain hay or silage. Coarse fodder with high potassium levels such as kikuyu, rye-grass and clovers results in the suppression of calcium mobilisation, which causes problems such as lacteal fever and stuck placentas.

Given the importance of the cow's trace element status during calving to prevent stuck placentas and mastitis infections after calving, vitamin A and E with injectable zinc and selenium can be administered to milkers 14 days before calving.

CJC Muller
ELSENBURG / Research

 

[ag_aman2004]

Hi Nikil,

The optimal dry period for this revitalization and recharging of the udder is 60 days. If cows are not dried off at all, the next lactation yield may be as much as 25-30% lower.
Why a cow needs a dry period

 

[ag_aman2004]

Hi Nikil,

Length of the Dry Period
Research has shown that a dry period of 50 to 60 days appears to be the most economical and optimum for health, reproduction and milk production. Short dry periods of less than 40 days will reduce milk production in the upcoming lactation and can lead to more metabolic disorders.

Dry Cow Management - LSU AgCenter

 

[niksnarayana]

Hi
I am aware of issues related to shorter dry period.

I agree that dry period is required. But in some cases cows dont become pregnant during its lactation and for some reasons we decide to keep the cow. The cow will have extended dry period of more than 60 days.
I agree that the one reason is its not economical to maintain the cow having more than 60 days dry period. But if we maintain it, then I dont think it should result in milk drop.

I agree that shorter dry period will result in milk drop but longer dry period will not result in milk drop, but at the same time, it wont be economical to maintain.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks
Nikhil

 

[farmware]

Dry period of lactating cows

Dear All

With all said and done I managed a good milk yield dairy farm and with my practical experience is as follows.

To inseminate 30 days after calving. To commence gradual dry period after commencement of 6th month. Complete dry from six and half months. Provide rest (Dry period) for minimum 75 to 80 days. One can enjoy in maintaing good milk yield, healthy cow and calf.

I am not saying any thing on nutrition which often changes with new findings but my above formula cant change which is productive.

The then young Veterinary Doctor on a Motar Cycle in early 1990s tought me this. He is currently elected as the President of Karnataka Veterinary Council and his name is Dr, Chandra Shekar Murthy popularly known as BUGGY by his close friends.