Post by kristis on Jan 24, 2022 11:47:46 GMT -5
Did she get the magnesium yet? Grass tetany is always possible with new green grass.
It's questionable how much milk she can produce at 2 years fresh, usually not much more than a couple gallons. Unlimited calf nursing and being milked at this stage has put too many demands on her even with that much grain.
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Reducing the nutrition in her forage by removing alfalfa while she started trying to fill up on low nutrition early grass may have pushed her further into serious deficiencies.
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Separate calf and limit nursing if at all.
Take off fresh grass and resume alfalfa mix until she regains her strength and the grass improves.
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Licking the skin off your hand? Feeding loose minerals has to be part of a dairy cow's daily diet year round and not reserved for a cure, especially when they are challenged by calf sharing.
She has serious nutritional deficiencies and needs vet help.
She hasnโt gotten the magnesium yet, that is happening today. Until now, sheโs maintained condition and milk production well, and even with what is going on, her condition is ok. Changing her feed wasnโt something I wanted to do, it was what was available. Sheโs been on the alfalfa for a few months, but prior to that she was always on grass and her grain and did well. I understand what youโre saying though, and that makes sense. I can pull her calf and dry lot her, and I donโt mind drying her up either. Iโve kept her in milk until I was able to get a bull, which is why sheโs been in milk for so long. Definitely wasnโt the way I wanted things to go. I am aware that loose minerals are not reserved for a cure, and they are usually out for them. Weโve had a string of wet weather and I donโt have a dry place to keep it for them to get to, so it hasnโt been out for a bit. I only mentioned her licking my hand because it is unusual for her, and I figured she was deficient in something. I just wanted to make sure I was doing everything I could do through the weekend, before I could have the vet out. Thank you for your advice and input, I appreciate it.