Knowledgebase
Kingshay's Knowledgebase - Fresh Cow Management
![Assisted Calving](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/Picture1-32.png&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
For a heifer or cow to reach their full production potential, a good calving is essential. They are less likely to suffer from problems post calving such as metritis, ket...
![Body Condition Score](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/Condition-scoring-1.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a simple and effective farm management tool. It is a measure of body fat/energy reserves, that can be used to aid decisions or troubleshoo...
![Cow Signals Farming Note](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/hock.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
In your herd, are there a high proportion of cows with rubbed necks or briskets? Are cows tail twitching despite there being no flies? Cow signals and behaviour can be...
![Dry Period Length](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/fresh-cow-protocols.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
The optimal dry period length between lactations in dairy cows has been debated for many years. Traditionally, an 8-week dry period was considered the ideal duration - ba...
![Fresh Cow Protocols Farming Note](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/fresh-cow-protocols.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
The post-calving period is a difficult time for a cow who has to recover from the stress of calving, fight off disease and infection and produce milk. Having an effective...
![Ketosis Farming Note](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/AnalysisForageMin.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Ketosis is one of the most significant ‘hidden’ diseases affecting the UK dairy herd. Around 30% of cows are estimated to develop the metabolic disease during the tra...
![Managing Twinning – Part 1 Farming Note](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/twinning.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
In dairy cattle twin births are undesirable and lead to reduced overall profitability and reproductive efficiency. The negative impacts of twins can include freemartin he...
![Managing Twinning – Part 2 Farming Note](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/managing-twinning.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Twinning is undesirable as the stress of carrying two foetuses compromises the cow's energy balance, and this can lead to poor performance after calving. It is crucial th...
![Metritis Farming Note](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/Metritis.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Good uterine health is critical to launch cows on a healthy, productive course after calving. Between 15 and 25% of all fresh cows and 80% of cows with retained cleanings...
![Milk Fever](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/Picture1-13.png&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Milk fever (or hypocalcaemia) is a potentially fatal metabolic disorder where dairy cows experience calcium (Ca) deficiency. With the estimated economic cost per case bet...
![Sustainable Parasite Control - Part 1: Worms and Fluke](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0292-2-1024x768.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Parasites, both ectoparasites (external parasites) and endoparasites (internal parasites) can be a major cause of disease in dairy cattle. They will not only contribute t...
![What are your Cows telling you about their Ration?](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/DF-200116-9-1024x683.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Analysing forages and balancing rations with your nutritionist are important components of cost-effective feeding. Formulating a diet that works on paper is only part of ...