Edwin Allen runs a 100-strong flock of Mule, Texel and Charollais cross ewes near Orritor in Co Tyrone. The sheep are part of a mixed farming business, which also includes suckler cows and a dairying enterprise.
Lambing got underway this year at the very end of January. However, the bulk of the ewes will lamb over the coming weeks.
“Everything is crossed with a Texel tip in order to produce lambs with high quality carcases,” Edwin explained.
There is tremendous scope to increase both lamb output and overall sheep performance and efficiency, according to Provita’s Tommy Armstrong
“The results of research on ewe lifetime performance, shortly to be released in the Republic of Ireland by Teagasc, will throw new light on how best to increase the performance levels achieved by the lowland sheep sector.
“Fundamentally, there are a number of key factors which impact on flock output. These include ewe prolificacy and longevity, nutrition of the pregnant ewe and grassland management.
“But the scope to improve sheepmeat output is already obvious. Currently, performance figures from many lowland sheep farms confirm a weaning rate of 1.25 lambs per ewe served. This compares with scanning rates of 1.75 to 1.9 lambs per ewe ”
Diarrhoea (scours) is the most common disease problem in the young unweaned calf. It is estimated that it affects in varying degrees over a third of all calves during their rearing period and is responsible for about half of all British calf deaths. Problems arise in all types of cattle husbandry systems (MDC & NADIS).
Give your stock the mineral and vitamin boost they need now
Boosting essential minerals and vitamins in ewes pre-lambing will have a benefit for ewes and the benefit will be also passed onto lambs.
Most sources of minerals and vitamins sources are only designed to provide daily dose levels. However to correct deficiencies and boost performance certain minerals and vitamin need to be given at much higher levels.
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
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.
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.
The recently launched acid resistant spot sprayer promotion by Provita is proving very popular with Northern Ireland farmers. Farmers who purchase three 20 litres drums of Hoofsure Endurance can claim a free acid resistant sprayer worth £50, plus Konquest hoof gel. Hoofsure Endurance is diluted at 3 or 4 to 1 and spot sprayed … Read more
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.
Farmers attending this week’s lameness demonstration, hosted by Provita, on the Ardboe farm of Seamus and Gerard Quinn were told that a zero tolerance approach to lameness has resulted in very low levels of lameness on the farm.
The day consisted of several practical demonstrations covering a rollover hooftrimming crush for farmers (Northern Engineering), an in-parlour explanation of the different stages of Digital Dermatitis and hooftrimming (Parklands Vet Group), footbathing of milking cows, dry cows and heifers (Provita) and mobility scoring (CAFRE).