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GOLD CUP WINNERS
The Higgins brothers are proactive in
researching into ways to reduce their use of
antibiotic treatments. Bill adds: ‘It’s important
to set an example; we are accountable to
the consumer. Through our work with Tesco’s
‘Sustainable Dairy Group’ we are focused on
reducing the use of third and fourth generation
cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, and
making responsible choices in our use
of antibiotics.’
In the past, to ensure good mastitis cure rates,
a ‘belts and braces’ approach had been
taken, ensuring cows had plenty of fluids, and
administering an NSAID, and also oxytocin
to help flush out the bacteria. The mastitis was
treated with both an intramammary antibiotic
tube and a systemic antibiotic injection - the
latter often being a fluoroquinolone.
Roel explains: ‘I’d seen some good
evidence which suggested that the systemic
antibiotic treatment was not necessary for
the majority of cases encountered, and
suggested cutting it out.’
Although initially quite wary, the Higgins
brothers spoke to some fellow dairy farmers
whose experiences backed up what Roel
had advised. Systemic therapy has now
ceased for mild and moderate cases,
without any adverse effects on cure rates.
Since the beginning of this year, there has
also been a dramatic reduction in the use
of dry cow tubes at Wilderley. Originally,
cows were routinely dried off using a dry
cow tube and a teat sealant.
James explains: ‘It’s now generally
accepted that a teat sealant can be used
alone on cows where cell counts have
been less than 200,000 cells/ml, for
the previous three months with no cases
of mastitis. Andrew started with caution -
only adopting this approach for cows
which have had no mastitis in the past
six months, plus a cell count of less than
150,000 cells/ml.’
Andrew adds: ‘It was a high risk strategy
for us, so we took a softly, softly approach.
I was only treating one dry cow in every
eligible four, just to see how it went. But
now we are following this tack with the
majority of cows that meet the criteria.’
The first 10 days of
lactation
Post-calving management is especially
important in very high yielding cows. And
at Wilderley, it is a key focus area.
Andrew explains: ‘As soon as possible
after calving, the cow and her calf are
isolated from the rest of the group, so she
can concentrate on eating and drinking,
rather than defending her calf. She is given
40 litres of tepid water and some of the
milking cow ration. If she is not eating and
drinking, we will use a stomach pump to
re-hydrate her.
Bill adds: ‘By separating the cow into a pen,
her eating and drinking can be monitored.
In our experience, dehydration is the number
one cause of milk fever, DAs and loss of
appetite.’
The cow will stay in the post-calving group
shed for 7-10 days. Andrew explains:
‘Her rectal temperature is checked and
recorded, and she is examined for metritis.
Blood ketones are also monitored - if levels
are high, this indicates insufficient energy
intakes and we have a protocol to rectify
the situation. We also monitor dung
consistency, rumen fill, milk yield and
general demeanour.’
In addition to the milking ration, cows in
the first 7-10 days of their lactation get an
additional 1.5kg of wheat straw, 0.5kg
soyabean meal and 100g of milking
cow minerals.
Thanks to excellent ration formulation
(by Richard Vecqueray of EBVC), excellent
fertility performance, and careful post-calving
management, the incidence of DAs in the
herd is less than 2%.
Cutting back on antibiotics
Staff communication
With a variety of staff, including part-time
night workers, it is essential that any
observations - seemingly minor at the time
- are relayed back to Bill and Andrew.
So there are two diaries kept in the dairy
office: an A4 week on 2 pages - so if a cow
is seen bulling or is suspected, then it can be
recorded, and Andrew then takes responsibility
to investigate further. In another diary - one
A4 page per day- more detailed notes are
made of activities that have been carried out,
e.g. antibiotic treatments. There are also two
white boards in the parlour on which notes
can be left.
Professional teamwork
Andrew comments: ‘At the heart of our
relationship with Roel and James is the fact
we are all professionals, and treat each
other as such.’
Bill adds: ‘If James or Roel has a suggestion for
change - it is backed up with evidence. They
are happy for us to challenge them, and to
discuss matters further. This helps to ensure we
can make informed decisions for our business.’
James adds: ‘It’s great to see that all the hard
work and dedication the Higgins family and
their staff have put into the herd, has now
been acknowledged with the award. In the
dairy world, it’s almost akin to winning the
FIFA World Cup!’
Milk yield/cow 12,718kg
Butterfat
3.81%
Protein
3.03%
Average SCC 68,000 cells/ml
Gold Cup-winning statistics
(year ending Sept 2012)
SCC (July 2013)
92,000 cells/ml
Pregnancy rate
24%
Calving interval
416 days
Voluntary waiting
period
70 days
Services/
pregnancy
2.25
Average age at
1st calving
24.2 months
Lifetime Daily Yield 18.31 kg/d
More farm facts
Contented cows
AUTUMN 2013 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
20