Articles

In a recent press article describing a successful finishing unit feeding a totally mixed ration (TMR) the article mentioned that at one point it was felt the TMR was too dry so 2 kg of water per head was added to the mix. 

It is vital that sheep have the trough space to ensure a high intake of their ration, reduced levels of competition and reduce the incidence of knocks or damage to the unborn lamb. 

With days beginning to lengthen the end of the winter feeding period is approaching.  This makes it an ideal time to check whether current feed supplies will be adequate.

Someone queried the loss of management keels and sprays when winter shearing.  Often sheep are batched pre winter shearing according to their scanning results and raddle marks.

Condition scoring is an essential tool to assess ewe’s body reserves and ensure your management and nutrition are adequate for their requirements throughout the breeding cycle. 

At this time of year it is all about being prepared for lambing.

Blood sampling ewes in late pregnancy is a well established tool that will help determine if the ration being supplied in late pregnancy is satisfying the ewes requirements.

Identifying one barren cow (and culling her) will pay for PDing nearly 200 cows (excluding the farm labour costs involved).

Just like humans, sweating is a major way cattle try to control their body temperature and avoid overheating.  As hot air rises the visual signs in cattle are damp/wet patches along their backs and in particular over their shoulders.

Long bone deformity appears to have a higher occurrence amongst beef suckler herds. Calves are born with a dwarf like appearance as a result of the shortening of the long bones in the legs, giving them a characteristically short, bow-legged appearance. They may also have dished faces and domes heads.  In very severe cases calves can struggle to stand and suckle.