Here is an easy to accomplish example of monitoring.

5cm increments are drawn on the race, the heifers are measured against it and their withers height recorded.

These heifers are 12 months old. A Holstein heifer should have a withers height of 124cm by this time.

If heifers are not achieving good enough growth rates, and we discover this early enough, feeding can be altered so that service can still be achieved by 13-15 months of age.

Please call us, if you would like to discuss heifer growth on your farm - 01363 772860.
 

£300 million annually - This is the estimated cost of liver fluke to the UK agricultural industry.

Liver fluke can result in:

As you may already know, MilkSure is an industry initiative, aimed at reducing the number of bulk tank failures and demonstrating the responsible use of antibiotics within the dairy industry.

It takes the form of training 2 training sessions, delivered by our farm vets.  

Ruth recently attended a really interesting talk and farm walk with New Zealand vet, Neil Chesterton, organised by AHDB Dairy.  A couple of clients attended too, but thought we could use this newsletter to pass on some key points.

As part of our pre tuppling series, we focus on teaser rams.

Vasectomised rams (which are therefore infertile but produce testosterone) can be used to synchronise ewes and to encourage ewes early in their breeding season to cycle. Surgery needs to be conducted at least 6 weeks before the teaser ram goes in with the ewes.

Please contact the surgery for further information 01363 772860.

As part of our pre tupping guidelines, we discuss the benefits of semen testing.

We can check the semen quality of rams by examining a sample under the microscope – this should be done on any ram with questionable findings at a physical examination and for newly purchased rams, or rams intended for sale.

Contact the surgery if you are interested in this service for your rams - 01363 772860.  

In the meantime, please click on the link for further information on our fact sheet.