Animal Health
Episode 105 – Yard weaning benefits calf health
In this episode, Curtis Pannett, farming in Central Otago, explains how yard weaning gives calves a better start to life and improves long-term growth and temperament. Drawing on experience from his own farm and large Australian cattle operations, he shares his advice on how calves are kept in the yards, getting them used to people and dogs helps them settle quickly, mustering and better management with moving winter feed breaks.
Farming the Individual Cow, Not the Herd
A Taranaki farmer has embraced all of MSD Animal Health’s SenseHub Dairy Technologies to allow his high-producing cows to continue being milked beyond a typical dry-off date based on accurate, real-time information from wearables, sensors and drafting tools.
Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Photos Brad Hanson
Body Condition Scoring Drives Ewe Productivity and Profitability
Body condition scoring is a powerful tool to help sheep farmers increase ewe productivity and profitability through determining the most effective and efficient use of feed resources. Words Sandra Taylor.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand works to tackle facial eczema
Facial eczema remains a major challenge for New Zealand’s livestock farmers, severely affecting animal health and productivity to the tune of $332 million annually. Words Sandra Taylor.
How to save on your vet bill
A bit of money spent on a conversation with your vet can save you more than you might think - don’t look at what free giveaways you get and forget about the free ham for Christmas, look at how you can use necessary products most effectively. Words Sara Sutherland
Tool aids decisions at prelamb
A free tool which aids decision making on animal health based on each farm’s unique needs is continuing to prove popular with sheep farmers in the lead up to the critical prelamb period.
Balancing seasonal variations in nutrient requirements
Melinda Turner explains why we need to keep an eye on mineral deficiencies in cattle this winter.
FeedSmart ensures effective use of feed resources
The feed planning tool for sheep and beef farmers. Words Sandra Taylor, Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Energy requirements of cattle at different stages
Every 100kg increase in liveweight requires an additional 11 megajoules of metabolisable energy a day. Words Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Episode 12 – Top tips for tupping in the dry from two farmers & a vet
Are you having to balance a lack of feed and holding ewe condition in a dry Autumn? This episode is jam-packed with technical knowledge from two farmers and a veterinarian. Mark Zino shares how to juggle feeding grain and silage to not overdo it, Alistair Bird shares why he’s not mating his ewe hoggets this season, and vet Peter Anderson of Marlborough gives key tips for tupping, teaser rams, timing and triplets.