Nutrition pre-calving and dairy calf health The impacts of maternal nutrition precalving on calf health are mediated directly through perinatal calf mortality (PCM), perinate thermogenesis and neonate immunity and micronutrient status and indirectly through effects on colostrum quantity and quality. The management of the nutritional status of the pregnant dam
influences the risk of PCM. Pre-calving feeding which causes foetal oversize or micronutrient deficiency are significant risk factors for PCM. In addition, over-conditioning of dairy heifers pre calving is a significant risk factor for PCM. There are only limited data on the effects of maternal nutrition
or BCS on colostrum quantity and quality. It may be concluded from these limited data that precalving nutrition has little effect on colostrum quantity and quality but it can influence calf Ig absorption while dietary selenium supplementation can improve colostrum and calf serum Ig concentrations. It may also be concluded that cows in better pre-calving BCS may have better colostrum quantity and quality and calf serum Ig concentrations. There are insufficient data on the effects of precalving energy and
protein feeding of dairy cows on neonatal calf health to reach any firm conclusions. Results from beef cows suggest that maternal protein or energy restriction can reduce perinatal calf vigour and young calf health. Maternal micronutrient status precalving is the major determinant of the risk of micronutrient disorders in neonatal calves. The concept that perturbations during critical fetal developmental
periods may have long-term impacts on offspring outcomes is accepted for most species. Theoretically there is real potential for dairy cows to undergo undernutrition or overnutrition during these developmental windows. However, only limited data supporting effects of foetal programming due to precalving nutrition on the health of dairy calves have been published.
Conclusions It is concluded that the impacts of nutrition pre-calving on periparturient dairy cow health are reasonably well established whereas those on foetal programming and neonatal dairy calf health are less clear warranting further research.
GLOBAL FEED AND MILK PRICE TRENDS AND INFLUENCES John Allen
Kite Consulting
The global markets for dairy products and livestock feeds have been extremely volatile in recent years, resulting in uncertain times for dairy producers and processors alike. Current UK supply shortages resulting from low milk production
over the last twelve months are resulting in milk price increases as a result of processors chasing milk supply, and this corresponds with increased prices on world dairy commodity markets. In the short term this is likely to result in very strong milk prices in the UK domestic market, particularly for those supplying into the fresh liquid market. Dairy markets are expected to weaken in 2014, however, due to
increased supply from the US and NZ, with an expectation of further weakening in 2015, as a result of the removal of quotas in the EU. In addition, there is an expectation of more pasture-based production, which will further increase the seasonality of supply by 2015. Feed prices, meanwhile, are starting to ease as a result of optimism
over the 2013 harvest. Whilst global stocks are low, the potential global cereal output in 2013, based on current plantings and ‘normal’ climatic conditions, is very positive, suggesting the potential to build stocks. There are also large stocks of oilseeds and proteins in the USA and South America, and these, combined with anticipated record plantings mean that, if stocks access the market, then there is the potential for prices to fall significantly. In short, the current short-term outlook is for higher dairy prices and
reduced feed prices, resulting in an easing of the milk price:feed price ration and offering opportunities for efficient dairy farm businesses.
Global infl uences Received wisdom now accepts that the ‘perfect storm’ of population growth, scarcity of resources and climate change will result in limited supply of agricultural products and more or less unlimited demand. Many have taken this as a signal that soft commodity prices are on an ever-upward trajectory, and this has underwritten everything from land
the new standard in Resource Optimisation Software
experience - truly modern deployment opportunities - all with the robustness and stability you expect from Format
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE TODAY cutting edge technology - massively enhanced user
For further information please email...
indigo@formatinternational.com
t:+44 1483 726 081
formatinternational.com
FEED COMPOUNDER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 PAGE 57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68