The Rumen Room Podcasts

20. Mating of dairy cows: Part One. Effects of nutrition on 3-week submission rate

For seasonally mated dairy cows, 3-week submission rate is an important driver of a herds reproductive efficiency. There’re a huge number of factors that influence 3-week submission rate including but not limited to the nutrition of dairy cows. In part one of this two-part podcast series about dairy nutrition and submission rates, we’ll first explore how submission rate contributes to reproductive efficiency, through the role of submission rate influencing our 6-week in calf rates. We’ll then move onto the challenge of anoestrus (“non-cycler”) cows and how these non-cycler cows will, if not treated by your vet, reduce your 3-week submission rate. Risk factors for anoestrus cows are explored and we'll discuss how you can examine what might have happened through calving and during lactation  to cause more anoestrus cows that you normally have to deal with.  
In part two of this two-part podcast series (episode 21), we’ll cover the challenge of the “slow calving rate-slow submission rate-slow calving rate cycle” that farms sometimes get trapped in, and some things to think about around how to start to break out of this cycle of reproductive inefficiency. The topic of why cycling cows sometimes stop cycling again through peak lactation is discussed. The challenge of “silent heats” or cows that ovulate but don’t show signs of heat is covered, as well as a brief discussion around heat detection efficiency.  

19. ”Where are my missing milksolids?” Part three - Pasture-based factors that influence post-peak decline in milksolids production

In this, the third of our three part series exploring “Where are my missing milksolids”, we’ll continue on from topics covered in parts one (Episode 16) and two (Episode 18). This time around, we’ll cover off the challenges of ryegrass-based pastures for New Zealand spring calving, pasture-fed cows. Perennial ryegrass is a highly productive, top quality feed for most months of the year. During late spring and early summer, reproductive changes by ryegrass plants cause potential issues not only for reduced feed quality of pasture, but also influences the tastiness of pasture, and the ease with which cows can harvest ryegrass.
This episode will explore the role of ryegrass-based pastures in the post-peak decline in milksolids production, discuss pasture management concepts to help maintain ryegrass quality, as well as longer term ideas to potentially improve the quality of late spring/early summer pastures.

18. “Where are my missing milksolids?” Part two – Cow-based factors that influence post-peak decline in milksolids production

In our first podcast in this three-part series, we explored factors that influence milksolids production from calving through to peak production in New Zealand spring calved dairy herds - take a listen to part one to catch up on that discussion. In this, our latest part in this “Where are my missing milksolids?” series, we move onto the next stage in the lactation curve - the post-peak decline (or "crash off peak") in milksolids production experienced by spring calved dairy herds during late spring and early summer. First up we'll explore cow-based factors responsible for post-peak decline that prevent cows from having a flat lactation curve post-peak. Everything from why the cow (and udder) simply can’t run a flat lactation curve, through to the effects of all manner of hormones, the body condition score, age and health and wellbeing of the cow as well as the social structure of the herd on post-peak decline.
Hot and bothered cows are more likely to drop away off peak quickly too – so this episode will wrap up this podcast with looking at the role for heat and humidity in the rate and extent of post peak decline by dairy cows. 
Subscribe to The Rumen Room Podcast on your favourite steaming platform - and/or join The Rumen Room on Facebook so that you don't miss our third and final episode in this three-part series. Part three will step us through the pasture-based reasons that spring calved herds "crash off peak" including a range of tips, tricks and ideas around reducing this often spectacular steep drop off in milksolids production during late spring and early summer. 

17. Wellbeing of young ruminants grazing summer crops

In this latest podcast, well known veterinarian Andrew Dowling joins Charlotte Westwood to discuss all things to do with animal wellbeing and performance on summer crops. With a wealth of veterinary and farm systems knowledge, Andrew steps us through the various tips and tricks around looking after your lambs or young cattle during their first summer of life. The importance of transitioning stock from pastures to high quality summer crops is covered, before Andrew discusses some of the common disease problems in animals on summer crops including clostridial diseases, vitamin B1 deficiency and pneumonia. Trace mineral requirements of lambs on summer crops are discussed then Andrew finishes up with a detailed summary of the internal parasite challenges in young stock over the summer months.
For anyone who grazes lambs or young cattle on summer crops, there’s something in this podcast for you!

16. ”Where are my missing milksolids?” Part One - Calving through to peak lactation

In theory, our pasture-fed cows should simply eat pasture and produce milksolids. Shouldn’t they? Well yes, but sometimes on a whole herd basis, we might track the herds milk production and wonder why the herd is not producing as much as they should. In this latest Rumen Room Podcast we’ll explore different aspects of the lactation curve of a spring calving dairy herd, looking for clues to explain why New Zealand spring calving cows might not be delivering the milksolids we’d been expecting.
The first in a three-part series, this podcast focuses on the early to peak stages of the lactation curve of a spring calving herd. Factors that might result in cows producing fewer milksolids during early lactation are explored including calving rate, cow body condition score, metabolic disease, amount and quality of pasture and supplementary feeds, and milking frequency, once or twice a day milking.
Tune in and see if any of these reasons might explain where your missing milksolids have gone during early lactation.
In the second and third parts of this three part series “Where are my missing milk solids” we’ll delve into the post-peak period of the herds lactation curve, exploring reasons for rapid post-peak decline for New Zealand spring calving dairy herds. Risk factors for short lactation length in New Zealand spring calving dairy herds will be covered in a further podcast early in 2023.

15. Milk urea in pasture-fed dairy cows

Urea concentration in the milk of pasture-fed cows, what’s it about? In this latest Rumen Room Podcast, veterinarian and nutritionist Dr Charlotte Westwood steps us through all things to do with milk urea. Why and how does urea end up in the blood and therefore in the milk of cows? What does it mean for the cow when milk urea concentrations are unusually high or unexpectedly low?  Do we do anything different with the diet of cows if milk urea concentration is too high or too low? 
With a specific emphasis on the interpretation of milk urea concentrations for pasture-fed dairy herds, tune in for an update about all things to do with milk urea. 
 

14. SMCO toxicity (aka kale anaemia, red water) in ruminant species

Forage brassicas are simply an amazing, low cost feed for our ruminant species.
Over 300,000 ha of brassicas are planted in New Zealand annually and thankfully, animal health disorders are not particularly common despite the huge numbers of animals that eat brassicas each year.
Very occasionally, grazing animals might experience an animal health disorder called SMCO toxicity. SMCO is a non-protein sulphur-nitrogen compound that sometimes accumulates in brassica crops and brassica weed species. Most cases of SMCO toxicity are seen when animals graze forage brassica crops during late winter and early to mid spring (August, September, October in New Zealand) when plants are undergoing fresh growth and reproductive development with increasing daylength and warmer, spring days. Cases present with signs associated with haemolytic anaemia, including red water (red coloured urine).
Presented by New Zealand veterinarian and nutritionist Dr Charlotte Westwood, this podcast takes us through all you ever wanted to know about SMCO toxicity. Because prevention is better than cure, the podcast focuses specifically on how to reduce risk of SMCO toxicity in your grazing animals.
You can scroll through and find subheadings within this podcast  as follows:
Introduction to SMCO toxicity in ruminants: 2.32
What is SMCO and how is the animal affected? 5.00
Can we forage test for SMCO in brassicas? 13.00
What role does copper and selenium status of animals play in SMCO toxicity? 17.45
Clinical signs of SMCO toxicity? 21.15
Other causes of red water confused with SMCO toxicity. 28.10
Onion and SMCO toxicity – what’s the link? 30.50
Why is SMCO toxicity more likely late winter / spring? 32.30
Grazing and feeding management of crops suspected contain high SMCO. 36.30
Why do brassicas contain SMCO and what soil and fertiliser-based factors influence SMCO accumulation by brassicas? 46.05

13. Summer crop planning – The journey from seed to feed

Spring is just around the corner and before we know it, it’ll be Christmas. It’s never too early to be planning for your summer forage crop requirements to keep your sheep, cattle and/or deer happy, well fed and content through the summer months.
In this episode, Dr Charlotte Westwood is joined by Paul Greenbank, agronomist and farm systems guru with PGG Wrightson Seeds based on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Paul steps us through the planning process for getting a spring planted crop into the ground - ready for your lambs, cattle or deer to enjoy a cost effective, tasty and nutritious summer forage crop. 
All manner of topics are discussed in a practical, down to earth manner. Everything is covered from paddock selection and preparation for cropping through to looking after your new crop plants as they get up and running during the days and weeks after planting.
Later in 2022 we’ll feature a couple of crop-focused episodes that’ll discuss the assessment and grazing of different crop types. We’ll target the various tips and tricks around how to convert your forage crops into highly efficient animal production. Keep an eye out for those episodes!
In the meantime, we need to get the seed in the ground to get the summer feed! We hope that you enjoy this episode.

12. Calf Nutrition: Nutritional scours

In this second of a two part series about preweaned calf nutrition, this episode covers all things to do with nutritional scours (diarrhoea) in calves younger than 3 weeks of age. Nutritional scours not only increase risk of dehydration in your young calves, but also increase risk of infectious scours due to a range of pathogens. Presented by New Zealand veterinarian and ruminant nutritionist Dr Charlotte Westwood, this fact filled episode will provide tips and tricks for calf rearers around preventing nutritional scours. This episode discusses just what nutritional scours are in calves, why scouring makes calves unwell, and factors that increase risk of nutritional scours in young calves.
For more information around the basics of the nutrition of milk-fed young calves, tune into the first of this two part series about pre-ruminant calf nutrition.

11. Calf nutrition: All you wanted to know but were afraid to ask!

Such a magical transformation - a newborn calf that becomes a fully fledged and functioning ruminant within just a matter of months. How does this amazing process of changing a fully milk-fed calf to one that eats and digests pasture work? Join us for another fact filled and down to earth approach to understanding about the nutrition of young calves, including nutritional tips and tricks to help rear strong and healthy calves. Presented by New Zealand veterinarian and nutritionist Dr Charlotte Westwood, there's something for everyone in this first of a two part series. We'll step us through how calves digest milk, how a new rumen develops and the how and why of the importance of different feeds along each step of the journey. 
The second part of this two part series focuses more on the challenge of nutritional scours in calves younger than 3 weeks of age. A discussion is included around what is nutritional scour and risk factors that increase the likelihood that young calves will experience nutritional scours.