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HOUSING AND HEALTH
The handling system is designed to
both minimise stress and improve safety for
man and beast. Adelle explains: ‘Some
farms make do with inadequate handling
systems that can compromise operator
safety significantly. However, grants are
available to help with the capital costs
of improving handling facilities. So any
farmers concerned about the safety of
livestock or people, should talk to
their vet.’
A recommendation in Neil's herd
health plan helped him get funding for
a squeeze-crush with a weigh cell. This
piece of equipment has a calming effect
on cattle, making handling safer. A neck
scoop has been a simple addition which
has improved safety when ear tagging.
The aim is for heifers to reach 400kg at
12 months, be served at 15 months and
calve at 23-24 months.
Stabiliser cattle have been bred to be
highly efficient at converting forage into
beef. Adelle explains: ‘These heifers need
to calve at two years of age, or they will
get too fat.
‘Last year a few heifers were too small to
serve at the ideal time, and it was decided
to keep these and serve later. They calved
down at 30 months, but the extended time
empty allowed them to put on too much
condition. This resulted in six difficult
calvings, one required a caesarean, and
a further three calves were born dead.
Neil says: ‘We've decided that next time,
we will finish the heifers instead of putting
them in-calf.’
Adelle carries out a pre-breeding
examination on the cows and heifers.
Around two weeks before the bull goes
in, she palpates the ovaries and checks
they are cycling. If they are not, then
there is time to treat them and get them
cycling again. After the service period,
they are PD-ed.
The fertility of the farm's three bulls is also
tested before each service period. In the
past, this has prevented a sub-fertile bull
from being run with the cows. The quality
of the semen and libido of the bull, are
used to assess the number of cows with
which the bull is run. For the 9-week
service period, the upper limit is
considered to be fifty cows.
Adelle explains: ‘It's important that the
bulls have sufficient time to rest in-between
the two herds. So this has dictated the
dates of the calving blocks. Bulls are
put in with the cows and heifers through
Sept-October and from mid-January for
60 days.’
Fit cows and fit bulls
Calendar - keeps health
on track
As with all multiplier Stabiliser herds, a herd
health planning document is a compulsory
requirement. As is the monitoring for, and
control of, infectious diseases. Both herds are
registered on the SAC Premium Cattle Health
Scheme and vaccinated for leptospirosis, IBR
and BVD, and are also disease-monitored
free of Johne's disease.
However, Manor Farm herd calves down in the
autumn, whilst the herd at Rushall Farm calves
over two months, starting in mid-January.
So with two different herds to manage and a
series of vaccination control programmes, plus
fertility visits, Adelle has created a calendar of
the activities required through the year. This
has been enlarged and is displayed in Neil's
office, where it is regularly referred to. It has
proven an invaluable management tool.
Adelle adds: ‘Neil records when he's not
followed the original plan. Then each year
we review it and look at the reasons for the
deviations, and make alterations if needed.
It's got to work at a practical level.’
Planned health care
Herd health is not only proactive, it is planned
well in advance. Neil explains: ‘The health
calendar sets the dates for Adelle's visits for
the year ahead. And in our farm budget,
we've split the vet costs into two. First, there
are the known 'planned' costs - membership of
the SAC Cattle Health Scheme, vaccines, and
vet visits. Then there's a separate category for
'fire-brigade call-outs'.
‘I don't ever consider vets as 'drug dealers'.
Instead, I'm buying their knowledge. Not only
that, but I see these cattle every day, whereas
Adelle brings a fresh pair of eyes to the unit
each time she visits.’
Safer handling facility
The neck scoop is a simple addition which
improves safety when ear tagging
The Squeeze-crush calms cattle making handling safer and easier
Calf with ear tag
WINTER 2012 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
10