Blog

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

Myostatin is a gene mutation that results in unregulated muscle growth or ‘double muscling’. There are nine variants of the mutation that occur in differing levels in different breeds. Lesley Wylie gives a brief insight into these.

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.

As we move further into December, now is a good time to check your growing rations and how animals are performing. To do this, having a set of weigh scales on farm is invaluable. This lets you monitor average liveweight gains, allowing you to assess the ration and make any necessary adjustments.

Clipping the backs of cattle at housing is common practice.  However by the turn of the New Year quite often the hair has regrown to the extent that it can be difficult to tell if the animal was clipped or not.

It is well established that making very good quality silage (11 ME+) reduces costs in feeding pregnant ewes coming up to lambing for those who are lambing indoors.