I do hope the information in the 5 first set of tips was useful. The second set of 5 tips can be found below.
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6. Fresh cow monitoring: Develop a program to assess the condition of the herd for at least 15 days after calving. Observations should be made to identify cows that may not be eating well, show signs of a health problem or infection, mastitis, lameness, and any other condition that would affect the cow. Cows that show signs of problems should be treated to correct the problem quickly. This program will have a significant impact on the performance of the herd in terms of both milk production and reproduction.
7. Reproduction Performance is the key to success: A set of goals for reproduction for the farm are a must and the people must strive to achieve those goals. Estrus detection is a key factor in achieving pregnancies. A program should be made (Standard Operating Procedure- SOP) that ensures cows are observed for estrus, and that appropriate steps are taken. Farms should have an estrus detection rate of 75% or greater if they are to have a good reproduction program. Be sure the people who are to be observing the cows know both the primary and secondary signs of estrus. If cows are not found in heat, then they can't be inseminated.
8. A good milking routine is important: It is very important that every cow is milked at the same way every time. A routine prepares the cow for the milk harvesting process and will not only speed the milking process, but will also improve production. Milk the cows on a regular schedule. High quality milk depends on cows being milked properly using good milking hygiene and checking for mastitis in the cows. High Somatic Cell Counts have a negative impact on both milk production and reproduction.
9. The heifer raising program is the key to the future herd: Feeding and management are very important factors in raising heifers that will be high producing cows that are healthy and last in the herd for a long period of time. Monitor the growth of the heifers, they should be strong but not fat, and ensure they are of adequate size to breed at 14 to 15 months of age so they are in the milking herd at 23 to 25 months of age. A poorly managed heifer raising program results in lower producing cows that do not last long in the herd. (http://wwsdairyinfo.blogspot.com/2010/03/calf-rearing-for-successful-dairy.html)
10. Maintain records. Keeping records is essential. Records should be easy to access and should summarize data quickly. Production records should be available to the key personnel on the farm so they can monitor performance. Record keeping and monitoring the records allows the management to identify problems in the herd and it is much easier to correct a small problem before it becomes a large problem.
Along with all the above tips it is important that the animals are tagged and SOP's are set in place for all the things that are done at the farm. The farm should not be dependent on the persons and missing/absent persons should not mean that the general things will not be done. Anyone and everyone should have access to the SOP's and things should be followed.
Amit Sachdev
India Consultant
World Wide Sires
E mail: indiawws.gmail.com
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