What's Up in the District - September 2018 No Images? Click here We're loyal, not just local.Latest NewsCalving Trends around the DistrictCalving numbers slowing down generally - around 0.7-1.0% of the herd daily at present. Excess High blood levels of Magnesium in many herds, both in springers and milkers. These can disrupt rumen function and balance of other minerals. Check these if concerned. Remember, Mag Oxide is 50% elemental vs Mag Chloride which is only 10% elemental. Down cows and milk fever. We have had a wide variation in issues on many farms. Any levels over 5% of MA cows are worth talking to us about and reviewing the springer diet and mineral levels. Down cow flowcharts for staff - Just a reminder we have down cow treatment flowcharts to help staff is you want a clear protocol on treating down cows – call Kim at Culverden and we can get these printed and laminated for your shed RFM numbers also are variable - higher in herds calving close on crops, low selenium or problem milk fever herds. Also seen in herds calving cows in lighter Body condition. Blood tests levels of some herds are high for ketosis and body weight loss - double-checking feed intakes and testing silage quality can be a start. Poor quality silage can cause appetite and ketosis issues in early lactation. Use of Oxytocin- If you are having trouble calving a cow, please DO NOT USE Oxytocin UNTIL the calf is OUT OF THE COW. Use of it beforehand causes problems
manipulating the calf and can make calving her more difficult. Only to be used AFTER calving. Metricuring and Dirty CowsA reminder of the large NZ study last year showing the improved benefits (both in a lift in 6-week in calf rates and empty rates) when cows are checked and cleaned early post-calving and not left until later. ‘Self –Cure’ does not actually occur, they just shed less pus, more intermittently.The smouldering infection is still there. Rates of infection have been varying from 5-30% in all early calved cows and heifers. Heifers seem to have higher rates of infection. Body Condition Scoring HerdsWe have been doing some early BCS checks, especially on heifer herds at this time. It is important to pick up your early BCS loss cows to preferentially feed or OAD them, or keep in small herd near the shed etc. Colostrum Management this SpringOur MSD sponsored testing of Rotavec vaccinated calves for Failure of Passive transfer (FPT), which is calves not getting enough antibodies soon enough after birth from gold colostrum, has now been completed. On average farms still have 30% FPT among their calves, which is the same as it was three years ago, district wide. The range is still very wide, from 0% to 70%! We strongly recommend you get your calves tested (only 10 are needed that are 0-7 days old) to check your calves levels and therefore your gold colostrum management and feeding. How good is your system? Mycoplasma Bovis Bulk Milk TestingYou all will have seen/read the testing regime around the regular Bulk milk testing that is going to occur from after the 1st month of lactation. Look on the MPI website for those details (see link below) Manage your NAIT obligations if selling calves to rearers. Record any discarded or penicillin milk sales as detailed as possible. Call us if you are seeing any of the classic typical signs of M.Bovis infection reported from the South Canterbury outbreak- e.g unusual/untreatable mastitis, lameness in forelimbs, severe conjunctivitis or inner ear infections in calves , dull or slow sick newborn calves. MPI Biosecurity number = 0800 80 99 66 Unusual Calf of the Month!
One of our vets delivered this calf who was born without a skull and a head. The front end consisted of just a jaw and tongue.
M. Bovis: Mating Planning and Bull PurchasingPlease see the attached link to the DairyNZ comments on Testing Bulls and Bull selection this season. If you have any further queries, just call us to discuss your options especially around synchronised mating of heifers and/or carryovers, or Full AB mating of the herd to minimise Bull purchases. DairyNZ & NCVC Reproduction Workshop EventThis event is booked for the Hurunui Rugby Clubrooms on Wednesday Sept 26th 10.30 - 1.00pm followed by lunch. It will focus on latest reproduction information and research, a local case study farm will go through their Reproduction preparation plans before mating, and finally some refresher discussion around Heat detection. Book this in your diaries. Staff NewsSamara Johnstone is our new Scottish Locum, hailing from the wonderful Island of Islay off the west coast of Scotland – home of some very famous Whiskey distilleries!!! You will see her out and about so do chat to her about her two great interests, horse riding and Limousin cattle breeding! Alana Drury has started as a new graduate veterinarian out of Charles Sturt, Wagga Wagga in Australia. She is very excited to be working in our kiwi farming systems , and we are sure she will enjoy the Amuri’s great hospitality. Zena Chart our wonderful stalwart of the Technician team has decided to retire from Veterinary Tech work and take a much deserved retirement after 35 years with working with us all. We are going to miss her hugely and wish her all the very best in where life takes her from here. Any tech calls from here please call Sarah McPhee (0278899108). As always, any queries just keep in touch with us. From the Vet and Tech Team - Trish, Alistair, John, Rob, Ian, Ana, Keira, Mara, Sarah W, Alana, Samara, Catherine S, Sarah McP, Martina, Jamie. We're loyal, not just local.www.ncvets.co.nz | enquiries@ncvets.co.nz Amberley 1 Osborne Rd Cheviot 14 Hall St Culverden 26 Mouse Point Rd Waikari 16 Karaka Road |