Video 46 Suckler herd health planning Herd health planning is certainly something more suckler farmers could engage with. With poor margins, this is somewhere where we can control profit inside the farm gate. For a start with any plan, we need to set some goals. We
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One of my big life lessons has been that there can be lessons everywhere if we chose to open our eyes and ears. I like reading about different businesses and problem-solving in different sectors. It opens your mind to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Right
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Video 44 Mycoplasma Bovis Farmers and vets will be becoming more familiar with this pathogen. Mycoplasma Bovis is a bacteria causing a number of clinical symptoms in both beef and dairy herds. In suckler herds, it is often around weaning time where I’m seeing it reported. Last
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Video 43 Flock health planning is essential Background Like so many others I have been advocating for flock health planning for many years now. Many farmers have engaged with this approach. We do however need more sheep farmers to look at adopting this approach. A health plan
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Two common abomasal conditions in cattle The abomasum is one of the ruminants four stomachs. It is often referred to as the true stomach. In young calves, it is the main stomach that digests milk and gets its nutrition through. As the rumen develops up to weaning
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Video 41 Heat detection We have entered the breeding season a critical time of year for farmers and their cows. In grass-based systems achieving a tight breeding season ensures maximum days in milk and days at grass next year. It also ensures we can keep cows
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VIDEO 40 Transition management in the dairy cow I describe the transition period in the cow a bit like preseason training, with the start of lactation the all-important start of the season. A good preseason and starting on the right foot will make for a productive
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Video 39 Roundworms and resistance in sheep One of the big challenges in our flocks is parasites and dealing with worm resistance. Like every aspect of animal health we need to have a plan. First, we must understand some key principles Background The roundworms we commonly see
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Video 38 Photosensitization in cattle While it’s great to get cattle outdoors it is still time to be vigilant and watching animal health. While we all welcome sunlight it can be involved in a rare and sporadic disease in cattle. While sunlight is only part
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VIDEO 37 Summer mastitis Talk to any farmer who has had issues with this disease and they can tell you how frustrating it can be. It is a dry mastitis usually seen between June-September in dry cows and heifers. It can also be rarely seen in
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