Product Information

Digital dermatitis workshops

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According to survey work carried out by AFBI, 79% of Northern Ireland’s dairy producers count digital dermatitis (DD) as a significant problem in their herd. With trends going towards larger herds and the confinement of cows, a recent survey by Thompsons shows that the statistics are not improving. Alongside the detrimental effect on animal welfare, … Read more

Provita Promist – respiratory problems on Fermanagh suckler farm

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Brothers Ian and William Brock manage a 120 strong herd of Charolais cross Limousin suckler cows near Belleek in Co Fermanagh. The cows calve the year round with an approximate 60: 40 Spring/Autumn split.

“We aim to supply high quality weanlings for the market with our calves sold at between 400 and 450 kilos liveweight,” Ian explained.

“We run a self-contained herd with AI bulls used to produce our replacement heifers. The remainder of the herd is crossed with high quality, mainly Charolais, sires.”

The brothers have built up cow numbers over the past six years. Emphasis has always been placed in breeding cows that are capable of rearing top quality suckled calves.

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Provita Protect – bringing scour control on new levels on Co Armagh farm

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It would take only the briefest of stop-overs for any visitor to conclude that Philip Kelly, from Markethill in Co Armagh, rears his calves well. The bespoke calving house on the farm features well designed single and group pens while the air quality in the house is excellent. One is also struck by the large amounts of clean dry straw used on the farm, guaranteeing the calves a comfortable and hygienic bed.

Philip milks 75 Ayrshire cows, which he has been breeding up to full pedigree status over the last twenty years. His Brackley herd is calving the year round with a current breeding focus on improving milk quality and cow longevity.

“It is critical for calves to get the best possible start,” Philip confirmed.

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Provita installs new automated footbathing solution

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Provita has confirmed that it is now providing a bespoke consultancy service with regard to the design and installation of footbathing facilities on dairy farms throughout Northern Ireland.

“Increasing numbers of milk producers now recognise that they must footbath their cows on a daily basis, in order to ensure that optimal levels of hoof health are maintained. But, as is the case in relation to all other aspects of their activities, they need a ‘solution’ that meets this requirement in the most effective and the least time consuming manner. Indeed a recent survey showed that over 80% of farmers didn’t know the dilution rate of the footbath solution there were using, so we need a simple solution to solve this.” explained the company’s Tommy Armstrong.

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High copper levels confirmed in UK soil

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Recent independent research in the US has shown that copper from copper sulphate footbaths is contributing to high copper levels in soil. Soil tests carried out by Provita in the UK using an independent UKSTA approved lab has shown copper levels to be too high, see graph. It is strongly recommended that farmers who have … Read more

Formalin classified as carcinogenic

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The UN body IARC has classified Formalin as a class 1 carcinogen since 2004. This year the EU has classified it as a mutagen and a carcinogen 1B. This will have implications for farmers using this very dangerous chemical. Additionally they should check its suitability under HACCP and COSHH or consult their insurance company. 

Gordons looking forward to Lanark Texel sale

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Annalong Texel breeder Sam Gordon and his son Alistair – owners of the Lindstair flock – are looking forward to December of this year when they will be taking a group of their top pedigree hoggets to Scotland for an elite breed sale in Lanark

“This is a great honour for us, as we have been invited to participate as guests by the other seven flockowners, who traditionally host the event,” Sam explained.

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Clinically proven alternative to copper sulphate and formaldehyde

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Latest Research

Dairy farmers use a range of different footbath solutions to help control lameness, often switching from one to the other with little difference in performance. Many solutions arrive on the market with the promise of treating all lameness problems but fail to live up to expectations. So how do farmers decide what will work against their lameness problems, especially the complex digital dermatitis problem? One option is to listen to other farmers. However as every farm is different often what works on one farm will frustratingly not work on another. Another option is to consider independent peer reviewed scientific evidence.

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Give ewes a boost to improve performance

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ProVitaMin is now used by many farmers in Northern Ireland. Farmers are seeing the benefit of using this high specification drench. More lambs, more ewes holding to the ram, tighter lambing, better condition and better growth rates are being consistently reported from all parts of Northern Ireland about the product which is manufactured in Omagh.

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Scope To Improve Beef Margins!

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“Research carried out by the Scottish Agricultural College confirmed that daily liveweight gain increases of up to 0.55 kilos will be achieved by feeding good quality silage with an ME of 11.2 as opposed to offering poor quality forages at ME of 9.6, cut approx. 2 weeks later” Provita’s Tommy Armstrong explained.

Detailed analysis carried out by Provita, using silage test results obtained this year and AFBI prediction equations, has confirmed the added benefit of using the company’s new Advance+ inoculant in store to beef finishing systems.

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