Articles

Poppy Frater reminds us why we should be reducing our antibiotic usage and gives some guidance to alternatives.

With calving fast approaching now is the time to check your supplies and get equipment ready.

Lambing time is almost upon us again. Take a look at ten top tips which could help you this year.

Being prepared for lambing by means of management and feeding is the first step to a successful lambing.  The aim is to have lambs with high vigour – getting up on their feet and sucking quickly, having the ewe in the correct condition to avoid lambing difficulties, metabolic disorders and have a good supply of quality colostrum and milk for the lambs. 

We have had an exceptionally open winter so far, where we have seen January temperatures in double figures in some parts of the country.  Climate change is having an impact, which is bringing us higher winter temperatures, higher winter rainfall and less snow and frost.  However, with this change, are we adapting our livestock systems?

The season has a marked effect on copper status of deer with low copper serum levels generally reported in late winter/early spring.  Copper is a trace element that is critical in the formation of the collagen matrix that supports bones, keeping them strong. 

We are seeing a lot of fat ewes again this winter.  Although this is better than lean ewes, it leads us to worry about the implications for prolapses this lambing season

With winter rationing of cattle well underway, and calving just a couple of months away for some, the New Year is a good time to re-assess cow condition and make adjustments if necessary.