Possibly the only downside to the tremendous grass growing conditions that now pertain right across Northern Ireland is the greater predisposition of lambs and ewes to foot scald. The condition, a precursor of Foot Rot, is a direct consequence of sheep constantly walking on wet ground. Denver McCall, who runs a four hundred strong flock of mostly Suffolk cross ewes near Armagh, takes up the story.
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NSA Scot Sheep 2014
Visit Provita at NSA Scot Sheep 2014, Quixwood Farm, Grantshouse, on Wednesday 4th June. Provita will have a special show offer where you can claim a FREE 5’ sheep footbath per 20 litres Hoofsure Endurance. For more information on the sheep footbath offer come and meet us at our stand.
Provita attend VIV Exhibition
Provita will be attending the VIV Exhibition, 20-22nd May 2014 in Utrecht, Netherlands and we invite you to visit us at Booth 10B017. VIV Europe 2014 is a European trade show based on the ‘Feed to Meat’ principle. This event is set to become the World Expo for animal husbandry & processing. The multi-specie event … Read more
The Balmoral Show, 14th – 16th May
Provita are exhibiting at Balmoral Show, 14th – 16th May 2014 and we invite you to come along and visit us at stand AP17, in the Agri Pavillion to avail of our Show Specials. See our Special Offers section to claim your FREE ticket. T&Cs apply, only available to Northern Ireland customers. For more information on … Read more
New Research Studies Compares Footbath Solutions
Many 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.
One such highly respected source of evidence is the Journal of Dairy Science. It recently published a peer reviewed article titled, ‘Effect of a tea tree oil and organic acid footbath solution on digital dermatitis in dairy cows’, by the University of Kentucky. This robust on farm study used a split footbath so that two different solutions could be compared scientifically with genetics, yield, lactation etc. being equal for both products. The study compared Copper Sulphate to Hoofsure Endurance. Both products reduced M1 and M2 digital dermatitis by 50%. There was no statistical significant difference between the two products.
Excellent start to the lambing season on Co Down sheep unit
David Jardine farms with his brother Jonathan midway between Dromore and Dromara in Co Down. They run a combined commercial sheep and pedigree Limousin cattle enterprise with Jonathan the man having the primary interest in breeding the ewes and lambs.
This year’s lambing season is now in full swing with approximately one third of the 300 strong Mule flock now fully occupied with their new arrivals.
“To date 102 ewes have delivered 207 live lambs. This figure ties in with the scanning results. But it is still uplifting to see all the newborns doing so well,” David explained.
Lamb Colostrum Farmer Promotion
Provita have two Lamb Colostrum Farmer Promotions valid from 3rd March – 30th April. To avail of this offer visit www.provita.co.uk/lamb-promotion
Use Hoofsure at 2%
At this time of the year dairy cows have been housed several months and there is a build-up of manure in most houses and on cows feet. Additionally many farms are at beginning peak production and have a higher cow to cubicle ratio. These all increase the lameness risk factors. Therefore cows feet should be … Read more
Every Cloud has a Silver Lining!
David Jardine and his brother Jonathan own and manage a combined commercial sheep and pedigree Limousin cattle enterprise, near Dromara in Co Down.
“For the most part, I look after the sheep, which leaves Jonathan to concentrate on the cattle,” David explained.
World Ag Expo 2014
World Ag Expo is one of the world’s largest agricultural exposition held on 11-13 January in International Agri-Center, Tulare, CA. Come and meet Provita in the Farm Credit Dairy Center, Booth 6502 for information on our products available. Visit the World Ag Expo website for more information.