RIGHT David Handley from Farmers for Action highlighted the trust and commitment that is missing in the industry.
CENTRE Highlighting the challenges of managing a mega dairy in Saudi was Imad Saleh from Nordec.
FAR RIGHT Sally Wilson addressed Johne’s as a time bomb waiting to go off.
David Handley
in 1981 the herd now produces more than 377m litres, making cow comfort of upmost importance in this unique environment.
“All walk ways, feed lots and parlours have cooling systems that are able to reduce the temperature from 48 degrees to less than 30.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is meeting the nutritional requirements of groups of cows producing 50 litres a day. This can prove quite costly for the summer rations.”
The operation employs 6000 people covering 30 nationalities, with the staff split in to 12 departments including the animal health team which consists of vets, technicians, stockmen and hoof trimmers. A dedicated team also takes care of reproduction with vets, technicians and stockmen working together. Cows are AI’d after 55 days in milk, pre sync and ovulation synchronisation programmes are used with heifers served
Imad Saleh
Sally Wilson
at 14 to 15 months old at about 370kg, explained Mr Saleh. Transistion management and Johnes provide big challenges Eliminating common mistakes in the transition period and tackling Johnes were two major challenges facing modern dairy farming, according to speakers. John Fetrow, professor of dairy production and medicine at the University of Minnesota said the fi rst mistake regarding the transition period was that it is considered three weeks pre-calving. “However, the transition period actually covers the entire dry period and one month post calving. A common problem caused in the dry period is negative energy and protein balance. It is important to keep the metabolic energy running during the dry period. Hypocalcemia is a vicious cycle, it suppresses dry matter intake and the gut doesn’t function properly causing low calcium intakes,” Prf Fetrow explained. Discussing Johne’s Sally Wilson of Evolution Farm Vets said Johnes needed addressing worldwide and was a time bomb waiting to go off. “Johne’s is a big threat to the dairy industry. Despite appearing clinically normal cattle can carry Johne’s and, therefore, spread it within the herd.
“It is important dairy farmers take control of the disease by testing quarterly and sending any carriers as barren. Quarterly testing increases the chances of fi nding carriers by 76%. Johne’s cows produce 4000kg less milk, are twice as likely to have mastitis and are also more prone to sickness.”
THE JOURNAL APRIL 2015 79
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