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Make sure to meet the calves’ need for colostrum, water and shelter.
Calving is getting underway in many regions, seeing farmers excited to see their future herds hit the ground, LIC says.
"Getting the most out of these carefully bred young stock starts at birth, so here are some tips to help you and them survive and thrive in the rush of spring":
1. Immunity - Is delivered via colostrum. Make sure they have had 2-3L of first milking colostrum in the first six hours and another 2L in the first 24 hours of life.
2. Top notch process - When and how do you collect the calves? Do you have a system for making sure every calf gets navel sprayed, tagged and fed colostrum?
3. Roster well ahead - Make sure your staff know which days they're rostered on. If you're sole charge, consider hiring casual help occasionally to let you spend time elsewhere if you need to get essential jobs done.
4. Keep on top of bugs - There aren't enough hours in the day to do everything, but make sure you stay on top of calf shed sanitation. Mortality rates can soar quickly in dirty sheds. Talk to your veterinarian about the best products to use.
5. Calf care - For a refresher on the key points, read the Calf Care resource from DairyNZ. Make sure you know how to meet the calves' needs for colostrum, handling, shelter, bedding, and water.
6. The right rearer - Have you got the right rearer for your calves? They need to be reliable, hard-working, caring and observant, and have the willingness to deliver extra TLC when it's needed.
With processes in place, staff trained and the calves in good hands once they're in the shed, calving should go smoothly.
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
The first calves of a new crossbred dairy-beef offering are now on the ground at a Pamu (Landcorp) farm near Taupo.
Academic and former Fonterra director Nicola Shadbolt has been elected as LIC director.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
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