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Herd Update 21.01.19

General Detail

  • First of the Newford cows due to calve down in 2019 and the in –calf replacement heifers have received their Rotavec Corona vaccination (8th January).
  • 90 cows and 20 in-calf heifers to calve down on Newford Farm this spring.
  • The calving sheds and holding area have been washed and disinfected and are now ready for calving.
  • First of the cows who are due to calve shortly have  been drafted onto a straw bedded area, beside the calving pens
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  • All cows and in-calf heifers are getting 100g of pre-calving minerals on top of the silage each morning.
  • Lime is been spread on the slats each morning with the pre calving cows to prevent any bacterial infections to build up.
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  • All cows body condition is been monitored on a weekly basics.
  • The 2 pens of cows, which had a lower body condition score are still on 2Kgs of soya hulls including cows carrying twins.
    • This feeding will stop shortly, as these cows approach nearer to calving.
  • Newford Farm had is annual TB herd test and all animals passed their test.
  • All the male and female weanling‘s are on 2 Kg of meal and silage. All these young stocks have thrived well since housing, with no health issues.
  • Decisions will be made at the end of the month  regarding the 104 weanlings as too cease meal feeding in anticipation of getting them out to grass from mid-February onwards
  •  All animals including cows  have received a second round of lice treatment
  • Slurry has been spread on 24 acres on the home farm (2500 gals per acre). This process was carried out using the umbilical cord and dribble bar method.
  • This slurry was spread on the driest fields, to prevent soil compaction and field damage.
  • Once weather conditions allows, Urea will be spread on all farms, towards the end of the month.

Key recommendations for this week

  1. Monitor all cows as they  approach , nearer to calving
  2. Check all calving equipment and purchase any materials required for calving (Plastic gloves, Gel, Spare Calving Jack Ropes, and Disinfection etc.).
  3. Watch out for any health issues with the cows.
  4. Monitor condition of the in-calf heifers.