Livestock Matters - Autumn 2019

Autumn Edition 2019 contents 04 Dairy herd efficiency Simplicity, efficiency and profitability – 3 key goals for block-calving dairy herd Vet Rob Powell of Shepton Vets and dairy farmer Matt Cradock make plans ahead of the breeding period to ensure cows are cycling, and also assess the best use of the farm’s bulls and hired-in bulls. 06 Fresh cow care A focus on fertility and fresh cows yielded more milk and more margin Vet Hannah Fletcher of Midshire Farm & Equine instigated a number of changes to fresh cow management at Woodside Farm; these led to significant improvements in herd fertility and profitability. 08 Ram fertility Getting rams ready for breeding…and watching that they do! Vet Lee-Anne Oliver of Scott Mitchell Associates gives a rundown on the pre- breeding checks needed to ensure rams are fit and fertile for the season, and what to look out for during tupping. Management changes improved fertility and health and boosted annual milk yield Vet Nick Gibbon of Belmont Farm & Equine Vets has been working with dairy farmer Charlie Meredith who moved his herd onto a robotic milking system. Pregnancy rate, transition cow health and foot health have all improved. 10 Calculated rationing for pregnant ewes ensures a trouble-free lambing Vets Adelle Isaacs and JP Crilly formulated rations and feeding regimes for the in-lamb ewes in Jess Allen’s flock, thereby preventing cases of metabolic disease and ensuring lambs were born with good vigour. 16 Tightening the calving block using heat synchronisation and AI Vets David McCrea and Brian Mundell of Capontree Vets illustrate how heat synchronisation and AI can be used to pull late calvers back into the calving block or to aid in heifer management. 14 Me and My Practice: Vet tech role is a support to farmers and vets, and of benefit to livestock too Vet tech Mel Pickard from Craven Farm Vets provides an overview of her role and the services she provides to farmers and vets, plus gives an insight into the practice’s sheep breeding services. XLVets is a collaborative group of over 450 farm vets with dedicated support teams, who endeavour to be nationally recognised as the ‘quality mark’ for livestock veterinary services. Learn more... 12