Facial eczema in sheep
Facial eczema in sheep Facial Eczema is a fungal disease that causes lowered production, photosensitivity and/or death due to liver injury. For growth and formation of toxic fungal spores on pasture, warm and wet conditions during the day and night in the summer and autumn are required. The fungal spores produce a toxin, sporidesmin, which […]
Making the most of scanning
Making the most of scanning Actions to take at ewe pregnancy scanning The most important action to take at scanning is to take off multiple ewes that are light. That is, those below body condition score 3. These ewes can be given some priority feeding before they lamb which will enable them to produce more […]
Reproduction in pigs
Reproduction in pigs One of the big advantages of farming pigs is their ability to reproduce. Sows can produce over two litters per year with in excess of 20 piglets weaned. This is a very high reproductive rate compared to cattle and sheep for example. This article covers the basic information you need to adequately […]
Managing Johne’s disease
Managing Johne’s disease Johne’s disease (JD) is an intestinal disease causing progressive weight loss, sometimes with scouring, leading to emaciation and eventual death. JD affects any age of deer from weaning through to adulthood. Unlike JD in other species, young deer may suffer severe disease which is rapid in onset (up to 25% losses) whereas, […]
Zoonoses
Zoonoses Zoonoses are defined as infections which are naturally transmitted between animals and people. Because of the risk to their own health, people handling animals need to know about such diseases and the precautions they must take to minimise the risk of infection. Leptospirosis or “lepto”, is the most well-known zoonosis in New Zealand (NZ) agriculture and […]
Yersiniosis
Yersiniosis As Yersinia is everywhere it is not possible to eradicate – so we must manage around it. Yersiniosis is a bacterial disease that can cause severe scouring and death in young deer. Yersinia bacteria are carried in the faeces of many animals and survive well in soil and on pasture, especially in the cooler months. When young deer […]
Develveting Stags
Develveting Stags The develveting season: points to consider Animal issues The key is to minimise stress and damage to velvet and stag. Draft stags into mobs as buttons drop so stags are more settled at develveting time Adjust mob size to avoid overcrowding at the shed Stags must have a companion Allow for a settling […]
Lame weaner deer
Lame weaner deer One of the main causes of lameness in weaner deer is from a bacterium called Fusobacterium necrophorum. This organism enters an abrasion or cut on the lower leg or foot and causes an infection which can lead to swelling and abscessation in soft tissue or joints and then lameness. The bacterium cannot penetrate […]
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis In New Zealand Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease risk (humans can contract it from animals) and as such its management is a very important aspect of health and safety when working with livestock. Leptospirosis a contagious bacteria that localises in the kidneys and is spread in the urine of a variety of animals […]
Optimising velvet production from your stags
Optimising velvet production from your stags Whilst much of the quality and yield of velvet from your stags is due to their genetics it is necessary to optimise feeding them at critical times to realise the full potential of the genetic progress that has been made in recent years. One of the critical times for […]