Iodine deficiency in sheep
Iodine deficiency in sheep Iodine-dependent hormones produced by the thyroid gland are essential for growth and development of the foetus, and crucial for the survival of the newborn lamb. The foetus must produce his/her own thyroid hormones and this is dependent on sufficient amounts of iodine derived from their mother’s daily intake being transported across […]
Preparing rams for the mating season
Preparing rams for the mating season Getting your rams checked out to ensure that they are in top shape for tupping is a financially prudent decision compared to the costs involved if the rams don’t work! Sperm production in the ram takes eight weeks therefore all sperm present at mating have developed prior to the […]
Barber’s pole monitoring and decision-making
Barber’s pole monitoring and decision-making This sub tropically-adapted parasite prefers the warmer conditions of summer. It sucks blood from the stomach lining of naive sheep, and big burdens can remove enough blood to kill lambs and (less often) adult sheep. It can ‘seem’ to strike without warning; mostly in late summer and autumn, though we […]
Lamb drenching 101
Lamb drenching 101 Most New Zealand farm systems rely on some level of drench input into lambs to keep them alive and growing over their first year of life. Whether your lambs get one or two drenches with the luxury of some type of specialist forage crop, or whether they head back out onto the […]
Getting the most out of your fly treatment
Getting the most out of your fly treatment Dealing with flystrike in sheep over summer is frustrating, time consuming, and is a cost to both welfare and productivity. Prevention is the key and well-timed shearing, followed by correct application of a suitable product, can go a very long way. There are 2 types of fly […]
Forage crops
Forage crops Are the forage crops in place now coming to the end of their lives or are they being carried into the winter? If to be replaced before the winter it is a matter of consuming as much of them as possible. Late summer is a time when deaths can occur, for two reasons. […]
Liver fluke in sheep – is it an issue?
Liver fluke in sheep – is it an issue? Although liver fluke is thought to be a reasonably common parasite, the significance of the disease is variable depending on geographical location and cumulative effects of the fluke on the liver. Liver fluke is known to be widely distributed throughout the North Island but it causes clinical […]
Antibiotic use
Antibiotic use Appropriate use of antibiotics is no longer a catch cry for those that think differently to you and me; it is now universal thanks to a couple of forces that are shaping our opinions. Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has highlighted our humanity when we have diseases for which there are limited tools to treat their […]
Beating pulpy kidney and tetanus
Beating pulpy kidney and tetanus Lambs are born with very few antibodies and rely on antibodies in the ewe’s colostrum for protection against common diseases including pulpy kidney and tetanus. Vaccinating ewes just prior to lambing will maximise the level of antibodies lambs receive in colostrum to protect them against these clostridial diseases. The more […]
Mid-winter shearing
Mid-winter shearing Mid-winter shearing and pre-lamb vaccination of pregnant ewes are both relatively common practices New Zealand. Mid-winter shearing The main reasons for mid-winter shearing include fewer ewe losses over winter/spring, potential to increase lamb birth weight and better wool quality. Successful mid-winter shearing depends on: Timing of shearing. Providing additional feed. Providing adequate shelter […]