What are the key points for raising dairy cows in winter
Dairy cows are a dairy breed of yellow cattle, an excellent breed developed through highly selective breeding. The milk produced by dairy cows is comprehensive in nutrition, a beverage suitable for long-term consumption, and also an important raw material for the modern dairy industry. Dairy cows in our country are mainly Holstein cows, which are high-generation hybrids of purebred Dutch cattle and local cows, developed through long-term selection and breeding. So what problems need attention when raising dairy cows in winter?
1. Drinking water issues
An appropriate amount of drinking water is the key to increasing milk production. In winter, the temperature is too low, and water easily freezes, which is not good for dairy cows to drink, and dairy cows are prone to drinking water problems. Therefore, in winter, water management should be done well, keeping water supplied all day, and appropriately raising the water temperature to 10-15 degrees. If the water temperature is too high or too low, it will affect the growth of dairy cows, thereby affecting milk production.
2. Feed issues
In winter, the temperature is low, and dairy cows need to release more heat to maintain their own body temperature, which also requires consuming more nutrients. Therefore, in winter, the proportion of dairy cow feed should be appropriately adjusted, increasing the proportion of nutrients and energy in the feed, improving the appetite and feed intake of dairy cows. The nutritional needs of dairy cows in winter must be met to ensure normal growth of dairy cows.
3. Nutrition issues
In winter feed, it is not only necessary to increase the proportion of energy, but also to appropriately increase trace elements such as calcium and phosphorus. If dairy cows lack trace elements, it will affect their growth and development and cause deficiency diseases, such as osteomalacia, and the harm to cows is especially greater. If a cow lacks trace elements, it will affect milk production, and in serious cases, problems such as bone hyperplasia and limb deformation may also occur. In addition, the content of minerals in the feed should also be increased to ensure the normal growth of replacement cattle.
4. Breeding issues
It is relatively good for dairy cows to mate and breed in winter, because the high temperature in summer is not conducive to the growth of calves, and managing calves in winter is simpler than in summer. Therefore, in winter, we should do a good job in the breeding work of dairy cows, promote conception in cows, improve breeding benefits, provide sufficient numbers for breeding the following year, and reduce breeding costs. At the same time, measures to protect the fetus should also be taken. Do not feed spoiled feed or frozen water, prevent pregnant cows from falling and causing miscarriage, and also pay attention to meeting the nutritional needs of pregnant cows and strengthening management.
5. Cold protection and warmth issues
In winter, the cow shed should be well protected against cold and kept warm, reducing the heat dissipation capacity of the cow shed, promptly blocking most ventilation openings to prevent cold wind from invading, and promptly closing the air vents at the top of the cow shed. Appropriate bedding and dry grass should be added in the cow shed to prevent dairy cows from lying on the icy ground and getting their bellies cold, which would affect their growth. Manure, urine, and residual feed in the cow shed should also be cleaned out regularly to prevent the cow shed from becoming damp. When necessary, appropriate ventilation should also be provided.
The above is a brief introduction by Tuliu.com to the key technical points of dairy cow feeding and management in winter. The management of dairy cows in winter is very important, directly related to the survival and milk production of dairy cows, and linked to the economic benefits of farmers, so it must be taken seriously.