Anthelmintic treatment of ewes pre-lamb
Anthelmintic treatment of ewes pre-lamb The challenge of anthelmintic use in sheep continues, with both product supply and the ever-increasing evidence of anthelmintic resistance and resultant production losses. Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) has withdrawn Bionic Plus® from the market while work is undertaken examining the pay-out of the two actives (albendazole and abamectin) in their capsule […]
Every calf has a useful life
Every calf has a useful life From 1 June 2023, Fonterra is introducing a new clause within their Terms of Supply which means calves can only be euthanised on-farm when there are humane reasons for doing so. Consumer guarantees about the on-farm treatment of calves and our increasing interest in how our food is produced, […]
Wearables – not just a fashion statement
Wearables – not just a fashion statement Wearables are fashionable on cows these days, whether it be a collar, ear tag or bolus. They all transmit valuable data to the farmer around both activity and health of their cows. How can this valuable data be utilised well on farm to make informed production decisions? With […]
IBR
IBR Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, or IBR for short, is a highly infectious and contagious upper respiratory track and genital disease caused by a type of bovine herpesvirus (BoHV-1). This disease occurs worldwide, including New Zealand. Studies have shown that IBR infections in adult dairy cows are very common, approximately 60-80% of dairy farms in New […]
Decisions around mating hoggets
Decisions around mating hoggets Possibly the most important decision around the mating of hoggets is should they be mated in the first place. Done correctly the mating of hoggets can increase the profitability and productivity of the ewe flock. If subsequent liveweight is not affected by the breeding of hogget’s the lifetime performance of a […]
Signs of labour in animals
Signs of labour If you’re expecting little calves, lambs, or any baby animals this year it is key to know what the early signs of labour are. This will help you to know when to keep a closer eye on the animals for any signs of trouble. Most species will show similar signs, many of […]
Pig health
Pig Health Pigs make great pets. But we find that not many people know much about them. Here is some basics if you are new to pigs or thinking about getting some pigs. Housing requirements: Pigs need shelter to get out of the sun, and to keep warm. They have very little hair and they […]
Reproductive efficiency in dairy herds
Reproductive efficiency in dairy herds There are many things that can have an impact on a herd’s reproduction (or mating) results but in terms of what we can influence there are two broad headings – Submission rate and Conception rate There are many factors that can affect both of these headings including (but not limited to) […]
Improving sheep performance through vaccination
Improving sheep performance through vaccination With 88% of NZ sheep farms having endemic Campy and 100% having Toxo, the vaccination of hoggets or maiden 2-tooths with Toxovax® and Campyvax4® is routine for the majority of sheep operations. The Toxo story is an easy one; one vaccination gives lifetime protection from toxoplasmosis abortion and associated lamb […]
Dangers of heat stroke
Dangers of heat stroke Summer is a fun time for all, but the heat can be lethal to our pets. We really hope that knowing how to avoid heatstroke and being more aware of the risk factors and warning signs will help prevent unnecessary deaths. The most important thing to realise is that dogs and […]