Dairy
Dairy cow lameness
Lameness is a huge welfare issue in the dairy industry. One of the most common causes of lameness is digital dermatitis and effective footbathing is an important part of controlling…
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Top tips for calving
With most of the suckler cows in Scotland calving in the spring, now is a timely opportunity to highlight some top tips for calving which will pay dividends in the…
Read More >Making the most of Red Clover
Red clover benefits As a forage legume, red clover has the ability to fix nitrogen due to the presence of bacteria in the root nodules. During establishment and growth of…
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Reducing Mastitis of Dry Period Origin
Clinical mastitis of dry period origin refers to cases occurring within the first 30 days after calving. There is a high probability that these cases are due to environmental infections…
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Optimising Fertility in Dairy Heifers
The target age at first calving for dairy heifers of 24 months is proven to be the economic optimum, with these younger calving heifers being more productive and profitable than…
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Keeping Calves Productive and Healthy in Cold Conditions
With winter approaching now is the time to consider the thermal needs of your calves. A calf less than three weeks old has a lower critical temperature between 10 to…
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Keeping on Top of Lameness
Lameness is one of the biggest welfare challenges in UK dairy herds. It is estimated that the prevalence of lameness is around 20% in intensively managed herds. There is always…
Read More >Caesarean Section In Cattle
The legacy of a great year for grass is an increasing number of cows likely to require a caesarean section. While a natural birth is the goal, when a section is required there are several things that are needed for a successful outcome.
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Technical Note (TN730): Construction of a Cow Track for Access to Grazing
Summary Cow tracks can lengthen the grazing season from reduced damage to pasture and improved field access in poor weather Correctly constructed cow tracks can prevent lameness within the herd…
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Are your Calves Getting too Much of a Good Thing?
The importance of providing calves with a good quality milk replacer in early life is well documented. However, not only is the nutritional value of the milk replacer important, the…
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