Black and white case of change for better (From Western Telegraph)

Black and white case of change for better

11:14am Tuesday 30th June 2009 in

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A Pembrokeshire dairy producer whose youngstock were deficient in cobalt says there have been definite improvements in the health of the animals since he supplemented their diet with a trace element bolus.

Robert Lawrence runs a herd of 230 milking cows on 500 acres at Trelessy Farm, Amroth.

Three years ago he sought veterinary help when young stock at grass failed to thrive. Samples confirmed they were deficient in cobalt.

“We started using a Tracesure Cu/I bolus on the youngstock with definite improvements,’’ says Mr Lawrence.

“I noticed a difference three or four weeks after giving the bolus because instead of their coats being a coppery colour they were proper black and whites.

“Sometimes we have missed bolusing a few before turning them out to grass and I always know which ones they are because the colour of their coats makes them stand out from the rest of the herd.’’ Mr Lawrence has used the Tracesure Triplepack on his calves also and plans to bolus the cows at drying off this year.

“The heifer replacements and the cows are the most valuable animals on the farm and anything we can do to improve their fertility and health status we try to do,’’ he says.

The herd calves between August and March, with a focus on turning most of the cows out to grass when they are in calf.

“We want to get as much as we can off grass when the herd is in calf and we also want to get the best from the pasture in the spring and early summer,’’ says Mr Lawrence.

“We have a fairly long grazing season and a dry farm but have limited acres to graze so we feed a lot of silage too.’’ The farm has thin soils over shale and coal measures and this creates a high iron content. Mr Lawrence believes the trace element deficiency is largely associated with “lock-up”.

“By giving a bolus in a measured dose to each animal it delivers visible results,’’ he says.

The milking cows are on a partial TMR ration of home-grown silage and wholecrop, caustic wheat, soya, rape and minerals.

Herd fertility is good and Mr Lawrence is keen to maintain it.

“There are so many factors that can set the herd back so it is essential to give them the right diet, including supplementing for any trace element deficiencies.’’