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With calving looming or already started for some this is the time to make sure that you’re prepared for what can be the busiest and most stressful part of the year. With the first calf often arriving quicker than planned it’s a good idea to have checked that your calving equipment and essentials are ready.

Mid- and late-pregnancy management does influence lamb birth weight; mid-pregnancy due to placenta development and late-pregnancy due to foetal growth. 

We are beginning to get calls regarding spring calving cows on ammonia treated straw.

With wintery weather and hard frosts looking likely for the next month those with stubble fields (providing there is some shelter) may want to consider turning out the fittest spring calving cows for a while. 

Some of those producers short of forage are turning to straw and old (often poor) hay to fill the gap.  However, it’s important not to overlook protein requirement. 

Breeding sales for this year will in the next month or so start to get going. Buying female replacements and stock bulls can be a risky business as Johne’s disease is often introduced to a herd by purchasing an infected animal.

As winter is progressing it is still important to carry out checks for suckler cows.

Recent reports of ewes (particularly hard hill ewes) in poor body condition after the conditions of 2018 are a concern.