Articles

Whilst not forgetting the importance of slaughter characteristics, here are ten things to remember when selecting a maternal sire.

Weaning typically falls between week 12 and 16 of lactation; wean earlier if ewes and lambs are competing for scarce grass, wean later when grass is abundant. 

Two unusual points with this year’s lambing were – great weather and a much larger proportion of the flock lambing in the first 2 – 3 weeks.

Acute rumen fluke was diagnosed in autumn 2016 with three deaths from a group of 60, and other ewes leaner than expected.  At post mortem large numbers of immature rumen fluke were detected in the small intestine.

There are two good reasons to consider selling spring born calves store this autumn.

Basil Lowman discusses the advantages of creep feeding.

With the Scottish beef herd becoming increasing naïve to BVD virus, care needs to be taken when introducing cattle into your herd. 

Mary McDowell discusses the various ways of supplementing grazing stock with trace elements.

As an industry we appear to have a fascination with trace elements, yet wildlife thrive without any supplementation!