The Rural Voice, 1979-01, Page 29Overweight dairy cows
cost producers
Overweight dairy cows don't pull their
weight in the milking herd. They cost
producers money in reduced milk product-
ion and reduced reproductive efficiency.
Late lactating and dry cows require less
feed than cows in peak lactation, says Blair
Murray, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food dairy cattle specialist.
"Most cows allowed free access to
forages, especially silages, will eat more
feed than they need."
Ideally, a cow should weigh only 15 to 20
per cent more at the end of her lactating
period than at peak lactation. This means a
585 kg cow should gain 90 to 110 kg. If she
gains more, her metabolism will start to
deposit fat, instead of producing milk and
milk fat.
"A cow too heavy for its size has fat
deposits in the liver and kidneys," says
Mr. Murray. "Fat is also deposited around
reproductive organs so that they don't
function properly."
Fat cows are susceptible to more health
problems than normal cows, including milk
fever, retained placenta, ketosis, displaced
abomasum, and udder edema.
"Many farmers ask what they are doing
wrong when they notice post -calving
disorders," says Mr. Murray. "Usually
these problems started months before with
the management of dry cows."
The best time to correct excess weight is
during the last two months of the cow's
lactation. The dry cow ration should merely
maintain the desired body weight.
"To prevent late lactating cows from
gaining excess weight, feed them separ-
ately, away from the milking herd," he
says. "Limit the energy and protein
intake, but don't forget to provide the
proper balance of essential minerals.
"This can be accomplished through use
of forage analysis and the Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture and Food Feed Formulation
Service."
Now's the time for
snowmobile maintenance
Winter's imminent arrival may not cheer
most of us, but ' the season is looked
forward to with relish by snowmobiling
enthusiasts. Now is the time to perform
pre -season maintenance operations on
sleds. Timely repairs will extend the life of
a machine. Most importantly, a breakdown
miles from civilization could put the
snowmobiler's life in jeopardy!
Whether you are a novice or a seasoned
veteran, read the owner's manual for
details on proper servicing procedures.
Keep this in the sled's storage compart-
t
ment for quick reference.
Following are basic service checks.
These should be gone over prior to
snowmobile use, and should be checked
frequently during the winter.
1. Inspect the fuel tank for any cracks or
leaks.
2. Check operation of lights.
3. Inspect the track for cuts, cracks, wear,
tension and alignment.
4. Check the drive belt.
5. See that there is no water in the fuel
filter.
6. Check the operation of the steering
system.
Numerous other items should be looked
into now. Check the following once a week,
or after 200 miles of operation:
1. Spark plug gap and condition.
2. Battery electrolyte level on electric start
models.
3. Chaincase oil level.
4. Ski alignment and tightness ofattaching
bolts.
5. Tightness of capscrew on lower drive
chain sprocket.
6. Tightness of capscrew on driven sheave.
7. Tightness of capscrews on bogie wheels
and their attaching assemblies.
8. Slide -rail wear
9. Ski springs.
Snowmobilers
spare drive belt,
bars and tension bolts.
should always carry a
extra spark plugs, plus
tools to make minor repairs and adjust-
ments. It is also a good idea to stock some
wooden kitchen matches and candy bars in
case you do get stranded.
Remember there is no substitute for the
information printed in your owner's
manual. By preparing your sled in advance
you set the stage for a winter of safe,
trouble-free snowmobiling. (Farmsafe)
Reduce beef costs
by changing feed
Beef producers, faced with high feed
costs this year, can reduce the pressure by
changing their feeding programs.
In many parts of the province, drought
conditions reduced grain corn and corn
silage yields, says Ralph Macartney,
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
beef cattle specialist. Yields are about 20
per cent lower than average.
For producers, reduced yields mean an
increase in per unit production costs. This
year corn silage could cost $20 per tonne if
the field yields 25 tonnes per hectare.
"Producers can decrease the per unit
cost by changing their feeding programs,"
says Mr. Macartney. "They should check
At this blessed Yuletide season'
we rejoice and give thanks as we
welcome the Heavenly King.
"sem In celebration of
Birth we extend heartfelt
wishes to all.
Howson & Howson Ltd.
1
Blyth 523-4241
off County Rd. 25 523-9624.
Elevator 1 mi. East of Blyth
THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 1979 PG. 29