Lamb growth rate
Lamb growth rate A big influence on lamb growth rate from birth to weaning has already been set. The ewe body condition at lambing and the ewe feeding level coming into lambing for multiple ewes both impact on lactation. If there is still time to intervene the most important action is to lift the feeding […]
Pre-mating drenching and minerals
Pre-mating drenching and minerals The fact is adult cattle are still subject to damage from the worm larval stages before their immune systems have a chance to recognise and kick out the adult worms. These larval stages create damage to the mucosa of the gut lining that can cause the problems; it incites an increase […]
Taking the guesswork out of mastitis
Taking the guesswork out of mastitis As veterinarians and farmers, it is our responsibility to ensure that antibiotics are both prescribed and administered appropriately so that their efficacy against microorganisms is well-preserved in years to come. Bacterial resistance against antibiotics is a real and growing concern in both human and animal medicine. Over the […]
Johne’s disease (pronounced “Yo-knees”)
Johne’s disease (pronounced “Yo-knees”) Something that all farmers have no doubt heard mentioned by a vet at some stage or seen on their farms. Suggested to be prevalent on around 60% of farms in recent publications but I would suggest it could be up to around 90% of Dairy farms. It would be considered relatively […]
Cattle lameness – emerging information
Cattle lameness – emerging information Over the last three years we’ve been encouraging the use of anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for common conditions faced by all farmers such as assisted calvings, downer cows, as part of mastitis treatments and when treating sick cows and calves. We will prescribe KetoMax for use on-farm and you will see our […]
Copper
Copper Sampling techniques, supplementation and duration of treatment Copper is an essential trace element that is needed for many biological functions including growth, pigmentation, fertility, healthy nerve fibres and the immune system. In New Zealand (NZ), copper deficiency is a common occurrence and a major problem unless managed effectively. There are two main causes of […]
Pre lamb treatment for ewes
Pre-lamb treatment for ewes Given the high prices that have been realized for lambs over the last few seasons and the high scanning rates currently being achieved it is worth paying particular attention to pre-lamb treatments for ewes. Getting some of these simple practices correct can make a huge difference on lamb survival and ewe […]
Eliminating the Risk of Abamectin Residues in Milk
In 2020, Oceania Dairies in the South Island banned the use of abamectin based drench products in lactating dairy cows after abamectin residues were detected in UHT milk products imported into China.
Drench Resistance Seminar April 2022
Drench Resistance Seminar April 2022 In April Tararua Vets in Pahiatua ran a parasite advisory session for clients who had completed a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) with the clinic in the last three years. The attending farmers heard from two of the leading experts in this field, Dave Leatherwick from AgResearch and Ginny […]
Transition Time
Transition Time Traditionally the period from three to four weeks before calving through to three to four weeks following calving has been considered the transition period. This is a period where as much as 80% of the herd’s disease costs are generated and where up to 4% of cows are culled from the herd as […]