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