47 Follow us on Twitter: @PrairieFarming Better Farming | November/December 2023 ual data we thought, ‘Okay, nothing gets treated any more,’” says Verhoef. “Besides the residue risk if the cow calves earlier than expected, we want to go away from antibiotic use. It’s also a lot cheaper. “It might be 30 dollars a head for antibiotic treatment, and then sealant on top of that might be another 25 dollars a head. I don’t use either so that’s big savings.” Verhoef also explains that management plays a large role in his ability to avoid antibiotic use for dry cows. Management for success “We’ve been on sand since 2005. If you don’t have the cows on sand bedding, I don’t think it would work,” says Verhoef about managing his herd to make selective dry cow therapy a viable option. “Overall, the biggest thing would be hygiene in the barn. Nutrition is important, and our dry cows get fresh feed every day. “We also record everything – hoof trim, ketosis, magnets that go in – any kind of treatment gets recorded from the small things to the big stuff you already have to record.” Verhoef also believes that even when cows are being treated at dry-off, it’s best to bring down their milk production ahead of time. “Even if you plan to treat them, I think it’s good to bring them down in production. The combination of reducing the number of milkings and moving them to a dry-off ration works the best,” says Verhoef. “We have implemented one milking per day for four days at dry-off. We milk three times a day and some cows were drying off at 40 litres per day and a lot were bawling for four days. “Every Monday is dry-off day. They are milked once, go through the hoof trim stall, get tape around their leg for identification, and go on a dry cow ration and get milked once on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before we take the tape off.” Besides determining if dry cow treatment is necessary, management of dry cows is also extremely important for cow health. “The big thing in dry cow management is clean facilities,” says Alsop. “Don’t overstock, make sure they have good nutrition, and on hot days be looking at heat abatement. “If cows are producing 20 litres or more, you need to plan to reduce milk production. Cold turkey stopping makes her prone to leaking and therefore infection.” Paibomesai agrees that hygiene is a major consideration for dry cows. “That is the biggest part, it comes down to hygiene. Stocking densities and stressors, they all play into infection risk,” says Paibomesai. “Work with your vet to help develop protocols for dry cow treatments, and help you decide if your herd is ready to move to selective dry cow therapy.” BF Livestock AMRAA INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES Camrose, AB 780-673-9593 www.Amraa.ca CRIKSIDE ENTERPRISES Steinbach, MB 204-326-3431 www.Crikside.ca KEYSTONE KAT Altona, MB 204-324-5074 www.keystone-kat.com NORTHERN RENTALS Swan River, MB 204-734-5800 www.northernleisureandpowerproducts.ca REDHEAD EQUIPMENT N Battleford, SK 306-445-8128 www.redheadequipment.ca ST ANDREWS PARTS & POWER Saint Andrews, MB 204-953-0030 www.standrewspartsandpower.ca SUPERIOR FORKLIFT Regina, SK 306-721-5438 www.superiorforkliftltd.ca THE TRACTOR COMPANY OF NA Osler, SK 306-239-2262 www.tractorcompany.ca UNIVERSE SATELLITE SALES Rocanville, SK 306-645-2669 www.universesatellite.com
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