“As a contractor and farmer I regularly get asked what use a silage inoculant is, or do I need one?” commented Kenneth McIlory.
“A few years ago we saw the idea of using a mini-silo promoted by Provita for testing silage on farm. We were interested in trying the idea for our own curiosity and to be able to honestly answer other farmers.”
“The tests were very easy to do and the results were interesting, my son James and I farm together and he organised it.”
Provita continues to provide its Digital Dermatitis advisory service with great effect, to dairy farmers throughout Northern Ireland. A case in point is the relationship that has built up between the company and Broughshane milk producer Allister McCullough, who manages the 120-strong Rocavan Holstein herd with his father William John.
“The cows are currently averaging 10,500L with good butterfats and proteins,” said Allister.
“Our plan is to increase cow numbers up to 130 by bringing in additional home bred heifers. The herd is milked courtesy of two Lely robots. We also strive to get as much grazed grass into the cows’ diets. And to this end, we invested in a Lely Graze way system last year.”
Allister is quick to confirm that lameness-related problems, particularly those caused by digital dermatitis, are no longer an issue within the herd.
March 21st is the projected start to the lambing season on the Slaughtneil farm of Dermot McCullagh. He started housing his flock of Lanark Blackface cross ewes back at the beginning of January.
“All preparations have gone pretty much to plan,” said Dermot.
“The ewes are certainly, looking extremely well at the present time. They were scanned at around 185%. So I am looking forward to a good lambing season ahead.
“But scanning percentages count for very little, unless these can be translated into equally good figures when it comes to the number of lambs actually reared per ewe.”
These are exciting times for the Mc Kenna family, owners of the Archie’s Limousin herd. Fast increasing sale prices in tandem with a recognised commitment to artificial insemination and embryo technology is ensuring the Bellaghy-based operation is starting to catch the eye of both pedigree and commercial cattle breeders within Northern Ireland and beyond.
The Innisrush flock of pedigree Texels was established by Portglenone breeder Philip Whyte back in 2005. Currently comprising 20 pure bred females, this elite breeding enterprise is run in tandem with 50 cross bred ewes.
“I also keep an additional four to five ewes for flushing purposes,” said Philip.
“In fact, I have been making extensive use of AI and embryo technology in order to fast track the rate of genetic improvement within the flock. My objective is to boost the size and depth of the ram lambs that are brought to market.
“And the results of the investment made are starting to be seen. Last year, I sold a ram lamb at the Ballymena Texel sale for 2,100gns.
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Veterinarian Roger Blowey will be highlighting the link between body condition score and the cows’ predisposition to lameness during the talks he will be addressing in Northern Ireland on Tuesday February 21st. The events will be co-hosted by Provita, Moore Concrete and Barclay’s Bank.
“This association can be best picked up with freshly calved heifers coming into the milking group for the first time,” said Blowey.
“If they are overly thin, then the digital cushion on which they walk will be likewise affected. And, as a consequence, these animals will be more prone to lameness-related problems. The same principle holds with mature cows.”
Blowey will also be discussing the impact of digital dermatitis on dairy cow performance.
One of the most respected veterinarians, Roger Blowey will headline a farmer talk on the latest findings in the world of cattle lameness. Provita in conjunction with Moore Concrete and Barclays Bank will be hosting a cattle lameness talk in Northern Ireland on Tuesday 21st February in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown, Co Tyrone at 7.30pm, it will be chaired by Richard Halleron. There will be workstations on various topics available from 6.30pm.
Provita have been researching and developing new products to help improve cow health for over 25 years. The latest addition to the widely tried and trusted product range is Vital Boost for freshly calved cows.
Early this January saw a pedigree Charollais ewe give birth to quintuplets on the Castlederg farm of the Foster family. The even better news is that the mother and all the new arrivals are doing well.
“We were expecting the ewe to produce four lambs, based on her scanning results,” said John Foster.
“The arrival of the fifth was a genuine surprise. All of the lambs are of a decent size and the fact that they are all progressing well represents a genuine boost at the start of the 2017 lambing season.”
The Fosters, owners of the renowned Springhill Texel and Charollais flocks, are totally committed to achieving the highest levels of performance form all of their sheep. John’s son Graham takes up the story.