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Current Conditions

Although the often used curse…“may you live in interesting times” is neither ancient nor Chinese in origin it does seem applicable to the current set of events that have accumulated into a rather unique set of challenges to your farming business.

Covid-19:  At this time there are no supply issues in relation to commonly used animal health products and the NCVC staff are working with our suppliers to do all we can to ensure this continues.  However, the escalation of response to the virus is going to threaten manufacturing and transportation capabilities.  Our staff will keep you informed as best we can.

Drought Declaration for North Canterbury: Last week the government declared a Drought Declaration for the whole of North Island and northern parts of South Island including North Canterbury.  For most of you this would seem a bit premature but for others especially north of Cheviot it is overdue.  It may mean little to your daily farming operation but it is an opportunity for those that are most affected by the dry conditions to access some support. 

Ewe Feeding pre-mate:  The dry conditions have caused us all to dust-off the feeding strategies used only a couple of years ago.  Things to watch right now are:

⁍ Nitrate levels on any Brassica crops you may have left. We advise testing before feeding then modifying the feeding regime to suit results. 
⁍ Ryegrass staggers if you are getting some pasture growth. The ryegrass toxin’s effects can be severe on ewe conception rates.
⁍ Grain overload/Acidosis:  Pre-feed the rams if you are going to be grain feeding during mating.  Get ewes started early so they can adapt in time for the higher levels fed going into mating.  
⁍ If you want any of the resources we have created for “drought feeding” ewes or just want to chat about some options you are considering please contact Sarah Williams at Culverden or Ian Page at Cheviot.  Otherwise the general principles of maintaining ewe liveweight and preferential feeding of light ewes ensures that working hard now will give the best lambing result in the spring. 

Pre-mate trace elements

Trace elements play key roles in the health, growth and reproductive performance of your flock, especially when feeding non-pasture based supplements. Iodine and selenium levels need to be adequate for good conception rates. Pre-tup treatments with either drenches or injectables are options for supplementing.  As with all trace elements, it is important to know your status! This is done either by taking blood tests or liver samples (either OptiGro or via biopsy).

High parasite burdens after dry conditions

When (not if) the rain comes, it is important to note that young stock in particular and animals under severe nutritional stress can struggle. They can't cope with the sudden influx of larvae that can occur with pasture growth following a rain event.  

As feed returns to the ground, animals are often grazing low which also increases the number of parasites they pick up. Monitor burdens with body condition scores and FEC.  Maintain drenching programmes.

Acorn poisoning

With the dry times, stock may be more hungry than usual and are also grazing in areas they might not normally have access to. Toxic plants to look out for:
⁍ Acorns, the green acorns are most toxic and stock will seek them out.
⁍ Box hedging
⁍ Rhododendrons
⁍ Oleander
⁍ Tutu, sheep will eat Tutu if nothing else around!

Pregnancy testing

It’s that time of year to work out how good of a job the bulls did! We can detect pregnancies from 6 weeks after the bull was taken out or sooner if you need to cull the later calving cattle. Call the clinic now to ensure we can come on a day that suits you!

Dehorning

Just a reminder that the Animal Welfare legislation changed on October 1st 2019. Local anaesthetic is now legally required for all dehorning and disbudding.

Please contact the clinic to work out how we can best assist you in complying with this legislation.

Ewe & Hogget Competition

Contact your rep listed below if you are interested in entering this competition.

The Champion of Champions event is being held on 8th April.

We're loyal, not just local.

www.ncvets.co.nz | enquiries@ncvets.co.nz