Livestock

Always take care pushing animals up a race but particularly when handling small light breeds who have the physical build to mule kick.  In addition if you are going to encourage them with a stick make sure it is at least as long as the cow is high so you stay out of kicking range.

There is no doubt winters are getting milder.  Unfortunately however the growth of a “winter coat” in cattle is controlled by day length not temperature. 

To improve herd profit we need to pay a lot more attention to foot care/locomotion.  The first way to do this is to have an annual hoof trimming session – but when is the best time to do it?

Generally lameness is considered just a major problem in the dairy industry where surveys show around 25 – 35% of cows are considered lame at any one time!  However lameness is not uncommon in beef herds and is often given as a reason for culling both cows and bulls.

A dry lie can have many benefits to the livestock housed in it.

Outbreaks of lungworm are not uncommon in cattle.  They usually occur between July and September, but this season can be longer, depending on the weather.

We are all aware of the importance of adequate, clean drinking water.  Unfortunately advice on water requirements for beef cattle is often simply taken from the recommendations for dairy cows – which bare little or no relationship at all to the water requirements of beef cattle. 

Throughout tupping you will have conscientiously changed the raddle or keel colour of the tup every 10 or 17 days, now the task is to ensure you use this to your advantage.