Imagine a dairy industry without artificial breeding (AB). But back in the 1950s AB was revolutionary.
Farm nutrient company, Altum is encouraging dairy farmers to challenge their traditional dry cow management systems in preparation this winter. The advice comes on the back of a recent independent trial on the effects of the magnesium and micro-nutrient enriched crystalline molasses block Crystalyx Dry Cow on the dairy cow…
Australian dairy farmers are being urged to act immediately to prevent facial eczema (FE) in their herds.
Canadian dairy cattle expert Brian Carscadden shared his knowledge with breeders and potential farmers during his recent trip to New Zealand. Carscadden was a judge at the New Zealand Dairy Event.
FACIAL ECZEMA (FE) occurs when grazing animals eat pasture containing large numbers of spores from the fungus Pithomyces chartarum. They contain sporidesmin, a toxin which causes inflammation of the liver and bile ducts.
SPRAYING PASTURE with a fungicide that kills fungus and inhibits FE spore production is the only direct means to manage spore numbers during risk periods. Fungicidal sprays provide a secondary benefit by controlling rust on ryegrass and also give opportunity to apply broad-leaf herbicides to improve pasture quality.
A NEW mobile hydraulic tipping crush is revolutionising hoof trimming of cows and bulls, and infusing teat seal in heifers, in south-west Victoria, Australia.
ONE OF the most effective ways to control clinical mastitis in the milking herd is to identify infected cows early, so they can be treated before the disease is spread to other animals, says equipment manufacturer Skellerup.
When funding was pulled from wild animal control in the late 1970s, many of New Zealand's cattle and deer herds fell foul of TB, says Animal Health Board chairman John Dalziell, in the introduction to the board's Making TB History. This extract from the booklet tells one farmer's story.
IT IS a high, dry climate to be dairying in at 400m above sea level north of Omarama, one that may appear to present some climatic challenges, but also some animal health bonuses.
GETTING MORE cows in calf is the biggest improvement you can make to your dairy business.
WHILE NOT classing his farm as organic, Andrew Fraser believes what you put into the soil is what makes the grass grow. He has always used reverted phosphate products and for seven years has added humates to his fertiliser and feed.
A NEW farm management tool for veterinarians will better enable them to monitor and improve udder health in dairy cattle.
IT’S POSSIBLE to rear good quality, young stock without resorting to drenching. Success depends heavily on avoiding early exposure to the autumn larval peak, and grazing strategies must revolve around that.
ANIMAL HEALTH and productivity problems are being addressed on an Ashburton dairy farm by the use of fertiliser made by Abron, a company based at Waharoa, Waikato.
‘CRANKY COW’ syndrome is a growing problem often overlooked by Australian dairy farmers, said a speaker at a field day in south-west Victoria.