Rural Round Up - November 2018 No Images? Click here We're loyal, not just local.Latest NewsFaecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT)Are the drenches you use on your farm effective? Now is a great time to start planning a FECRT to be done on your property to determine the drench resistance status of the parasites on your farm. You need to identify 100 “drench test lambs” preferably at weaning and leave them un-drenched. These lambs need to pick up a worm burden before we can start the test. If you are interested in getting a FECRT done this summer please give our clinics a call to discuss planning. Once we have completed the FECRT one of our vets will be able to assist you in developing a Parasite Management Plan for your property. Keeping Your Rams Free of Brucella Ovis1. Never buy a ram without seeing a current B. ovis accreditation certificate. There are still reasonable numbers of rams being sold around the country from breeders with no accreditation program in place. Don’t assume and don’t just take a verbal assurance that the rams are ‘Vet Checked’. Confirm that the Rams and Stud are actually Accredited free of Brucellosis. Accredited-free flocks should have a current certificate issued by their Veterinarian. 2. With stray rams, if you are in a risky area, shoot first and ask questions later. Treat any stray ram as infected. If you see a stray ram, remove him as quickly as practically possible (by any means necessary!). If the stray has been in the mob for a while it may be a good idea to get the ram flock tested. 3. Get your rams palpated by your local Veterinarian every year. If you are unlucky enough to have your flock infected, the sooner this is identified the sooner steps can be taken to reduce the impact. Keep your new rams separate until you have the flock checked each year. In high risk areas, many farmers choose to blood test the entire ram flock every year. 4. Don’t buy dog tucker rams. A high percentage of these are infected (this is often the reason they have been culled). BloatBloat is commonly seen at this time of year when we have cattle grazing succulent, rapidly growing pastures, especially those with high contents of legumes such as clovers or Lucerne. Anything that is high in protein, water and soluble sugars, but low in fibre. Factors that influence the incidence of pasture bloat include animal, plant, environmental and management factors, which interact in a complex manner. Sometimes management factors can be enough to prevent bloat but often extra precautions such as bloat oils or bloat capsules may be needed. If you think you have lush pastures due to be grazed, discuss the situation with a vet before grazing. Highfield Woolshed OpeningCome along & help the Northcote’s celebrate the re-opening of the Historic Earthquake Repaired woolshed. Get your work colleges, sports groups, friends, local business teams together for the Highfield Woolshed Opening Fun Shear Challenge!! Your team needs to consist of four people and involves: 1 weetbix eater, 1 fizzy sculler, 1 super fit crank handle operator and 1 sheep shearer. Fastest time to complete all activities wins! Prizes up for grabs Register your team: 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 |