Provita Animal Health

Written by Dr T.B. Barragry PhD MSc, MVB, MRCVS, Vet Pharmacologist Maintenance of a stable trace element status can be a challenge in many sheep flocks.  Late in the season, many sheep are exposed to poor quality grazing and forage which has quite low trace element and nutritional values. Sheep are also subjected to the … Read more

Farmgate prices have been buoyantly good for all livestock sectors recently and all will be wishing for it to continue for the foreseeable.  Despite these welcomed upward trends seen for milk, beef and lamb prices, major input costs like fertiliser and concentrates have also risen significantly too. Therefore the same, if not more, attention will … Read more

Given the increased focus in Ireland on lameness in sheep and the likely disappearance of Formalin in the near future producers need to start looking at other options for footbathing.  Lameness can cost €1000 per 100 ewe flock with lameness levels rising during the summer months due to the higher stocking rate, longer grass and … Read more

Lameness is one of the most common debilitating health issues for dairy cattle. According to Cattle Health and Welfare Group Report (2018) approximately 30% of dairy cattle will be affected with lameness during their lifetime.  Several factors are associated with lameness in dairy cows including genetics, the environment and management.  Management can be particularly important … Read more

Written Dr TB Barragry PhD, MSc, MVB, MRCVS, Dip ECVPT Mortality in Young Lambs Almost 50% of total lamb losses occur in the first 48 hours of life, with a further 11% coming to an early demise 2-14 days post-lambing.  Reports show that estimates of pre-weaning mortality range from 10-28 % and that most of … Read more

75% of foetal growth occurs in the final 6-7 weeks before lambing. The rapid growth of the foetus increases the ewe’s need for nutrients, and hence daily requirements can no longer be met by a forage based diet alone.  Ewes must be correctly fed in late pregnancy in order to provide for the growing foetus … Read more

Evidence  based probiotics, the gut microbiome and immunity- the scientific and holistic way forward Written by Dr Tom Barragry PhD, MSc, MVB, MRCVS, Dip ECVPT In recent peer reviewed papers from the international biomedical research journals the gut microbiome is now seen clearly to be a major instigator of immune health, not only for the gut … Read more

Eoin Kelly farms a large-scale sheep and beef enterprise in Co. Derry. Prior to this, he spent seven to eight years gaining invaluable experience working on and managing various sheep and beef farms across Great Britain before returning to the family farm, where he works in partnership with his father and twin brother, Jonathan as … Read more

Why use Advance+ for sheep Making better silage this season will pay for itself come wintertime when feeding pregnant ewes.   Why? Because Advance+ will: Produce a more energy dense silage Increased silage intakes by ewes Reduce meal costs, especially close up to lambing dates Less spoilage so less problems/issues associated with that Less waste … Read more

This year has been one of change and uncertainty, and we aren’t just talking about agriculture!  Prices have fluctuated considerably, for good and bad on all sectors and the weather has been challenging.  It started with a very wet start to Spring and then straight into an extended period of hotter drier conditions.  Grass found … Read more