Looking after dairy weaners
Looking after dairy weaners Getting calves through to weaning is a major milestone and now we need to protect that initial investment. The percentage of dairy farms on which coccidia is resident has steadily increased and it would be safe to assume that coccidia is on all farms. While the calves are on milk and […]
Feeding for a successful mating
Feeding for a successful mating The reproductive performance of your herd is greatly influenced by the difference between energy inputs (nutrition – energy, protein, fibre etc) and energy outputs (milk production, walking, inflammation etc) during the mating period. Getting a cow to cycle (have a heat) and for the resultant egg to get fertilised (conception) […]
Repro Efficiency in Dairy Herds
Repro Efficiency in Dairy Herds A key influencer of next year’s performance. For Spring calving herds, the work of getting cows back in calf during October, strongly determines their performance in 2025 and these endeavours are either made easier or more difficult by a multitude of factors that precede this period. Herd “performance” has a […]
Is your pet safe to swim in our local rivers?
Is your pet safe to swim in our local rivers? During the warm weather, the river becomes one of the most popular places for people and their canine companions to cool down. Unfortunately, many waterways have toxic algae (cyanobacteria) lingering. It is important to actively consider if your favourite swimming spot is a safe place […]
Keeping our pets safe at Christmas
Keeping our pets safe at Christmas Here are some tips to keep your Christmas festive and fun but vet free… Many common foods and snacks we humans enjoy can be dangerous to our pets. Animals digest and metabolise food differently to humans which means what might be perfectly fine for us can be poisonous to […]
How to give electrolytes to young stock
How to give electrolytes to young stock There are many different electrolytes on the market, and it can be difficult to know what product is right for your stock. What to use: For lambs and calves with scours, we recommend using Totally Hydrated electrolytes, or the Revive and Diarrest sachets. Not only do they replace […]
Food for thought: What should I feed my goat?
Food for thought: What should I feed my goat? Goats are full of personality and make awesome pets. However, they are often treated the same as sheep which can cause a few issues. We are often called out to see sick goats who have eaten something that they shouldn’t have or have developed health issues […]
Parasite of the month: Cryptosporidium
Parasite of the month: Cryptosporidium You might not be able to see this parasite, but you won’t forget it once you’ve had it! Cryptosporidium, also known as “crypto” is a protozoal parasite responsible for causing diarrhoea in young stock and people. There are many different types of crypto, the most important type for New Zealand […]
To dock or not?
To dock or not? Lamb tail docking – do you really need to? Tail docking of sheep is covered by the “painful husbandry procedures” section of the Codes of Welfare. The minimum standards (legal requirements) include that: “Tail docking of sheep must only be undertaken where there is significant risk of faecal and urine contamination, […]
Efficiency in farming systems
Efficiency in farming systems In this edition of our newsletter, we cover three topics, one dairy and two for sheep farmers, all three of which have direct effects on farm efficiency. It is the efficiency of converting pasture and crops into milk, meat, and wool that drives profitability and contributes to decreasing a farm’s environmental […]