Table 3 Example of a management overview in SWOT format

Ration:

Comparable to ration dairy cows (mixture of roughage A, corn, brewers grain and minerals).

Transition concentrate UTD (dry period six weeks).

From 21 days dry: 0,5 g/day.

Increase (in 21 days) to 4 kg/day prior to calving.

Fresh feed is provided daily.

Dry cows are fed an energy-rich ration throughout the whole dry period (> risk for overconditioning).

Housing: Free stall barn + cubicles (concrete + saw dust).

Heifers together with dry cows; separated from the rest of the herd.

Enough feeding places and space to lie down for all dry cows and heifers.

Animals are a bit restless (rank fights, some pregnant heifers were just added to the dry cows group).

Calving: Two times a day fresh feed.

Cows/heifers calf in a maternity pen.

Fresh straw.

Feed intake is watched.

Couple of days in maternity pen

Dung is not removed before the next cow/heifer enters the maternity pen.

Ill cows are housed in the same pen.

-Supervision is mostly lacking, if a cow/

heifer calves at night (> risk of stillbirth and less optimal colostrum-intake calf).

Heifers in the herd after calving.

Heifers do very well in the herd.

Milk yield level is higher than in cows.

Day 1-5 after birth

Feeding colostrum (Three days in total).

Teatbucket feeding: 1st time: 1-2 litres (depending on how willingly a calf drinks)

From 2nd time: 2 litres two times/day.

Teat buckets are always clean before feeding and cleaned/dried afterwards.

Umbilical cord is not disinfected (> risk for inflammation).

Calves frequently do not get their first colostrum within four hours after birth (especially when they are born at night) (risk for Failure of First Passage).

Feeding milk-replacer.

Switched to milk replacer at once (on day four).

2 litres 2 times/day (teatbucket).

From day five with automatic milk feeder.