Lameness in dairy cattle
Early spring often brings about the onset of lame cows and on some properties the problem can be severe.
The importance of trace elements
Trace element supplementation in the modern dairy herd is vitally important.
Preparation for lambing
To avoid confusion over the timings and uses of pre-lamb vaccinations, here’s a quick summary. While these vaccines will help protect the ewe, their main benefit is to provide the lamb with protection during the first few months of life against clostridial infections via the transfer of immunity in the ewe’s colostrum. This protection includes pulpy kidney and tetanus.
First aid in cows
Ability to apply first aid to your cows around the calving period is the role of the farmer or his assistant and only after attempting and failing should a veterinarian be rung.
First aid in calves
Calves, like all young animals, can deteriorate rapidly when they get sick. To have the best chance of treating sick calves successfully, rapid identification and treatment is essential.
Buying in weaner calves
Many farmers and lifestyle block owners buy in weaner calves from sale yards and the like. Unfortunately, most do not know the background or what the calves have been treated with, often they only have a knowledge of the size and weight.
Dairy cow reproduction
Factors that affect fertility, hormones, and fresh Tararua Breeding Centre semen
Heavy rain, lambs, and leptospirosis
A warm, very wet summer and autumn certainly brings with it an abundance of feed for grazing livestock and nearly all the stock we are seeing is in excellent condition.
When copper becomes toxic
A sheep farm was visited where copper (Cu) toxicity was suspected. Several lambs appeared lethargic and anaemic. The farmer had purchased lambs from a farm that had been feeding poultry litter (manure is usually treated with copper sulphate to reduce the bacterial level). Sheep are unique in that they accumulate copper in the liver more readily than other farm animals. As a result, they are very susceptible to copper (Cu) toxicity (poisoning).
Wagyu as an option on dairy farms
Have you thought about the next breeding season? Having a well-planned breeding strategy is key.