Farm Health

Footrot breakthrough could be a boost to wool cheques

Strong wool growers wanting to introduce merino genetics, to take advantage of more lucrative fine wool prices, can now do so with confidence.

The growing cost of drench resistance

Undetected drench resistance is costing the NZ sheep sector almost $50 million a year — and it may only get worse.

Self-shedding sheep study

Massey University is examining the economic impact and the production consequences of crossbreeding with Wiltshire sheep to a fully shedding flock.

Long-acting drench treatments called into question – again

Even more doubt has been cast on the economic value of drenching ewes with long-acting products, following a recent jointly-funded Beef + Lamb New Zealand study.

Shelter key to lamb survival

With lambing and calving about to start, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is reminding farmers of the importance of providing ewes and cows with suitable, well-sheltered areas for lambing and calving.

The importance of managing ewes in late pregnancy and early lactation

The ewe is under her greatest nutritional and metabolic stress in late pregnancy and in early lactation.

Rearing orphan lambs

As farmers strive to maximise their lamb survival, interest in orphan lamb rearing systems has been steadily growing.

Taking NAIT seriously

North Otago calf rearer Jared Ovens believes the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak has led to more farmers embracing animal traceability.

Carcase collection impasse

Collection of dead calves from farms around the country has stopped with farmers and the recycling company blaming each other for the impasse.

Limited feed puts ewes at risk

Severe feed shortages in parts of the country mean many ewes are on a nutritional knife-edge heading into lambing and could be at risk of developing metabolic disorders.

Nitrate poisoning risks post drought

Cases of nitrate poisoning are being reported in the Hawke’s Bay region after recent rain.

New research on FE tolerance testing

A pilot study investigating the potential of a facial eczema (FE) tolerance test is being launched this month.

Questions over the need for pre-lamb drenching

AgResearch scientist Dr Dave Leathwick believes there’s a strong case for thinking twice about the practice that is routinely carried out by around 80% of sheep farmers as part of their pre-lamb animal health treatments.

Monthly dog dosing will close measles gap

Requiring that all dogs on sheep farms be treated every four weeks for sheep measles is a significant step in reducing the impact of the parasite, says Dan Lynch.

Better M. bovis test on the cards

A small, Auckland research firm is developing a more sensitive test for Mycoplasma bovis.

Re-consider pre-lamb shearing

Farmers are being urged to consider delaying pre-lamb shearing this winter as feed resources in many parts of the country are already stretched.

Breeding hoggets can improve ewe performance

Breeding hoggets at eight months of age can improve a ewe’s lifetime productivity.

Getting hoggets ready for breeding

While breeding hoggets can potentially increase the number of lambs weaned and income – it needs to be well managed to be successful.

High risk for parasites and fly strike

Extreme weather conditions are increasing the twin risks of internal parasites and fly strike on sheep.

Treat milk area like a kitchen

Strict hygiene standards on dairy farms will be an important part of long-term export market protection, say award-winning Waikato farmers Adrian and Pauline Ball.