Frequently feed pushing, how does this affect cow health?

As a dairy farmer, you know only too well: the healthier your cows, the better. Healthy cows are better balanced, more fertile and produce more milk. So, you want to do everything possible to prevent hoof and udder problems and offer your cows the greatest possible comfort. To what extent does smarter feeding contribute to cow health? And on what areas should you be focusing as a dairy farmer?

Implementing feedmanagement strategies

A clean and dry floor, quality feed, soft bedding, sufficient water… There are various aspects that have an influence on a healthy and productive herd. And it all starts with the basics: feeding.

As a cattle farmer, you can implement various feed management strategies to ensure that your cows have access to sufficient fresh feed and can consume it in a way that is conducive to their health. These include frequent feed replenishment and regular feed pushing. In this article, we look at the link between ‘mastitis and smarter feeding’ and ‘hoof problems and smarter feeding’.

Standing time after milking

An important focus area within the theme of smarter feeding in combination with cow health is the movement of cows after milking. How often and how long cows stand can affect the likelihood of the well-known udder infection mastitis. A condition you would rather prevent than cure.

How does that work? The cow’s resting area is a location where a mastitis infection may be transmitted from one cow to another. After milking, it takes some time before the teat canal returns to its minimum diameter. In most cases, cows remain standing for about 45 minutes after milking. This is sufficient to achieve maximum closure of the teat canal.

To encourage standing, we recommend the use of an automatic feeding system. A feed pusher robot can be set up to automatically push feed in just before and during milking. In this way, you trigger the cows to come to the feed fence first, instead of immediately lying down in the cubicle stable.

By using an automatic feed pusher robot in your barn, such as the Moov 2.0, you reduce your own work and indirectly improve the health of your cows.

Hoof health versus feed pushing

Another focus area is the hoof health of cows. Healthy hooves are the basis for good cow performance. Lameness in cows has a negative effect on feed intake, milk yield, fertility, longevity and cow welfare.

A cow spends approximately 13 hours a day lying down and ruminating, 6 hours eating and drinking and 5 hours walking / social behaviour. If a cow stands any longer, it puts more strain on its hooves and consequently increases the risk of sole haemorrhages. The use of an automatic feed pusher system can therefore also have a positive effect on hoof health.

This already starts with the feeding of young stock. The young stock are often fed only once every two days and the feed is only pushed once a day. As a result, the young stock have to walk a lot to get to the feed and have to reach for it in the feed alley. Reaching puts more strain on the front hooves, of course. The result? Risk of sole haemorrhages and poorer condition, which also reduces fertility.
Having a healthy dairy cow starts with good rearing and therefore also with a good feeding strategy for young stock. You should not forget this aspect in the overall picture.

Energy balance of entire herd

With dairy cows, compared to young stock, the feed is often pushed two or three times a day. Why should you then choose an automatic feed pusher robot?

This is because of the following. With dairy cows, you are much more concerned with hierarchy as the groups are larger. The lower the cow’s rank, the later there is room at the feed fence. Feed pushing not only during the day but also at night can help. Because the cows then have access to roughage 24 hours a day, the barn is more peaceful and the cows lower down the pecking order also get a chance. There is less selection and every cow gets the same quality of roughage. This ensures a better energy balance across the entire herd.

The use of an automatic feed pusher shows that the time cows spend ‘inactive’ is reduced and lying (resting) time is increased. More rest and thus better rumination leads to a healthier cow with fewer hoof problems.

Risk factors for mastitis and hoof disorders

Brief summary? A risk factor for mastitis is when cows lie down immediately after milking. Smarter feeding – and frequent pushing of fresh feed – motivates cows to come to the feed fence more often and to spend their time outside the cubicle stables more efficiently. The teat canal can then close before they lie down. Regular feed pushing also reduces sole haemorrhages because there is always food available, also for the cows lower down the hierarchy. There is also less strain on the front hooves, as cows do not have to reach for the feed.

Animal welfare

At JOZ, we work according to the ‘Circular Farming’ principle, in which everything revolves around the cow. The cow is both the beginning and the end of the circle. Animal welfare is therefore high on the agenda.

Circular Farming starts with the feeding process. Smart choices within the feeding process can help to improve cow health. After all, the eating behaviour of dairy cows is important to keep them healthy, efficient and productive. But let’s not forget the young stock and apply smarter feeding methods to them as well!

More info?

Would you like to know more about the relationship between frequent feed pushing and cow health? Or are you curious about the benefits of an automatic feed pusher robot in your barn? Contact a dealer near you.