Transition Cow Management
The issues with reproduction and nutrition both tie to the issue with transition cow management.
The shade seen here offers very little protection from the sun and elements. As you can see, none of the cows are using it.
Close up cows often have a high body condition score and also had a pH too high. In our dry cow lab, we found that the average pH of the close up cows was 8+ when it should have been around 7. The overconditioning leads to dystocia as well as metabolic disorders when calving in. The high pH shows that the cows are not effectively being transitioned and will be susceptible to metabolic disorders such as milk fever after calving. Of the 10 animals that have died since January, 7 of them were within the first 30 days of lactation, pointing to a poor transition program. (PCDart - Activtiy Tracker)
While DCAD (dietary cation anion difference) is fed to help mobilize calcium and prevent milk fever, it is top dressed and often picked around by the cows, which explains the high pH. This is evidenced by the fact that almost 100% of cows that calve must be treated in some form and that the dairy has recently lost cows due to metabolic disorders (current Dairy manager).
This is the DCAD that is top dressed on top of the silage. In the picture on the right, it is hard to see, but there are particles of DCAD left behind that the cows have picked around.
The close-up pasture is not conducive for a successful calving experience. The shade structure provides almost no shade and has no bedding under it. In addition, the area in which cows are taken to assist with difficult births and where calves are often pulled is a very muddy area with no grass or bedding. The calves are born into an extremely dirty environment, contributing to the issues later in the calf's life.
The picture on the left is the area where calves are pulled. It is extremely muddy and breeds bacteria. The picture on the right is the ground under the shade that has no shavings or mats.