Nutritional Influences on Reproductive Performance

There is a direct relationship between nutritional status and reproduction. It is important that we set the cow up with the correct balance of nutrients to ensure her ongoing reproductive performance and in turn increase her lifetime in the milking herd.

Post calving, the cow’s appetite is depressed, reducing her feed intake. This leads to insufficient energy intake to meet her demands for production and reproduction, resulting in weight loss. 

Body condition change needs to be managed to help optimise conception rates. Weight loss should be limited to a maximum of one body condition score in early lactation by effective lead feeding pre calving to drive up cow appetites and by providing high energy feed in early lactation.

Ensure cows are in positive energy balance by matching feed to requirements over joining, to allow weight gain. Continuing weight loss through the joining period is undesirable as cows in negative energy balance (losing weight) are more difficult to get in calf.

Maintaining a balanced diet after conception is important to ensure good embryo implantation as abortions can occur if rapid weight loss is experienced after conception.

As this season has seen increased supplementation with hay and silage that are usually low in vitamins, an injection of vitamins A, D3 and E would be beneficial one month prior to joining, to ensure good follicle growth, hormone production and maintain membrane integrity for conception.

Many areas in Gippsland are deficient in minerals essential for good reproductive health. It is important to provide a supplement that balances these deficiencies and give the cow and your herd their best opportunity to get in calf.

Caroline Brown
Dairy Services Officer
Ridley AgriProducts