Optimising suckler fertility
The total cost of production for English suckler herds is around £450-£800 per cow per year, so it is vital that as many cows as possible produce a viable calf every 365 days. A cow that is not pregnant for more than 12 weeks is a drain on resources and not earning her keep.
Controlling parasites in sheep
Worms are a major threat to the health and performance of lambs and anthelmintics (wormers) are an essential part of good worm control. However, over recent years the sheep industry in the UK has become increasingly dependent on these relatively cheap products, and their frequent use (and sometimes misuse) has led to the development of resistance in the worm population.
Controlling parasites in cattle
Internal parasites (worms and fluke) pose a significant threat to animal health and performance. Sheep farmers in particular rely heavily on chemical treatments for control. Unfortunately this has led to resistance developing in worm populations and some products becoming ineffective.
Bull MOT
Semen production takes ten weeks, so MOT your bull now to ensure he is ready to go to work when the breeding season starts. He should be fit not fat, and have a body condition score of 3.5 at the start of the service period to ensure his optimum performance.
Managing mastitis
Udder condition is the most common reason for culling younger ewes (between two and four years old), therefore reducing the incidence of mastitis in a flock can have a significant affect on productivity and replacement costs.
Winter ration review
February is a good time to review the winter ration and make any necessary adjustments. There are two key aspects to consider: Is cattle performance on target, and is there enough feed to last the rest of the winter?
Blood test to fine-tune late pregnancy feeding
Blood testing a small sample of ewes a month ahead of lambing could be particularly useful in avoiding lambing problems and securing the best possible lamb growth rates this season.
Improving soil through regular testing
Winter is a good time to test soil under grass and forage crops, as long as it has been two months since lime, manure or fertiliser was spread, according to Dr Mary Vickers of EBLEX.
Feeding ewes in late pregnancy
Meeting ewes’ nutritional requirements during late pregnancy is of key importance as seventy per cent of foetal growth occurs during the final six weeks.
Analyse weaning weights to manage fertililty
Recording individual cow and calf performance is essential for managing fertility, according to EBLEX beef specialist Dr Mary Vickers.
Handling sheep efficiently
Well designed sheep handling systems speed flock movement, reduce animal stress and cut the risk of occupational injuries to handlers.
Buying a ram - how can you purchase performance?
Selecting a ram is one of the most important decisions for any sheep enterprise, yet many farmers still rely solely on their stockman’s eye to make their choice. While a good eye is undoubtedly valuable, genetic traits are not always reflected in a ram’s appearance, which makes selecting by eye alone a gamble.
How good are your buildings?
Good cattle housing makes stockmanship easier, encourages optimum livestock performance, and plays a very important part in ensuring high standards of disease control.
Achieving a compact calving period
Maintaining a tight calving season has many benefits. But allowing the bull to run with the herd for the ideal service period of 10 weeks requires discipline and a constant eye on the calendar.
Top tips for MOT-ing your ram
Tupping may seem a long way off, but it is essential to carry out a thorough ram health check 10 weeks beforehand in order to identify any problems and rectify them in time for a successful breeding season.