What's Up in the District - August 2019 No Images? Click here We're loyal, not just local.Latest NewsMilk Fever and Metabolic diseaseSome farms have been seeing some increased numbers this season which we have been working through. Some common points;
Blood Checking of Springers / Colostrums / MilkersWe recommend you have your herd blood checked around this time, to ensure feed quantity AND quality is good as well as mineral levels. We are seeing bloods results coming through daily, with many needing to improve some area (excess Magnesium levels, low phosphorus levels, low copper, high ketosis indicators etc). These levels are very important for cows reaching peak milk production and for helping them to clear, clean and repair their uterine/ovarian tissues ready for cycling and mating. If you haven’t done any blood checking we STRONGLY advise you to before cows get too far through calving. Calf health & their Colostrum absorptionDo you know what level your calves are? We have been more proactive checking calves’ blood levels of Colostrum immunity absorption from their feeding as they first enter the calf shed. There are huge variations across the District. If you are seeing the following they may not be getting effective Colostrum absorption;
These can all be easily controlled by ensuring they get at least 10-15% of their bodyweight as Gold colostrum by 12-24 hours of age. To check you are achieving this, we can process a blood sample in our clinic in approx. 15 minutes. This is a cheap test and a good idea if you aren’t happy with calf health on farm. Metrichecking and MetricuringMost of you have this planned and booked. Just a reminder of the importance of doing this early for better mating conception rates. Large NZ research shows this exact fact, not treating them just hides their problem and they heal with poorer subsequent uterine health and fertility. Blood Test - R1's pre-matingWe recommend blood testing and liver biopsying Yearling heifers pre-mating in order to check trace mineral levels (Copper, Selenium, B12). If needing Copper supplementation, this must be given no less than 4 weeks pre-mating. Ensuring optimal trace levels are required for reproduction. Spring supplies order formWe know you are all super busy at the moment in the thick of calving. If you are wanting supplies, avoid forgetting something important and save time by having your order arranged and packed for you. Just email the list back to Kim or Kirsten and they’ll get onto it for you kim@ncvets.co.nz or kirsten@ncvets.co.nz See link below for order form Bull fertility testingYou can request that a Serving Capacity test / Libido test be done on Service Bulls before you buy them. This will help ensure they are sound and fully able to work/mate, a good option rather than risk buying some potentially infertile bulls. Displaced AbomasumsThese can occur within the 1st month post-calving and can have many different clinical signs. Generally they include, poor in appetite, drop in milk production, variable faeces and slow. Give us a call if you are unsure BVD vaccine remindersA reminder for Yearling heifers and any working Bulls. They need to have the 1st vaccine 8 weeks out from mating (i.e around now), then 2nd vaccine (Mid September) about 1 month out from mating. This will ensure full protection of their pregnancies when away off farm at Graziers farms etc. New NCVC staffWe want to welcome Julia Molle, our great new graduate from Glasgow University, who started early this month. Julia Molle Hi everyone, I'm Julia! As always, any queries just keep in touch with us. Trish, Alistair, John, Rob, Ian, Keira, Mara, Sarah W, Alana, Ingrid, Sam, Justin, Lewis, Samara, Julia, Nathan, 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 |