Invitation to unique lameness event

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Farmers are openly invited to a unique lameness event on the farm of Seamus and Gerard Quinn, Drumaney Road, Ardboe Co Tyrone BT71 5BD, on the 29th Oct from 10.30am to 2pm. The event is being organised and hosted by Provita.

It will feature several practical demonstrations covering; a rollover crush for farmers; an in-parlour explanation of the different stages of Digital Dermatitis; footbathing milking cows, dry cows and heifers. These will be followed by food then brief presentations on the latest research on Digital Dermatitis and examples of successful practical footbathing set up’s.

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Enhanced Hoofcare Services from Provita

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With lameness estimated to cost approximately £10,000 per 100 cows in herds with an average level of lameness, it represents one of the areas dairy farmers can target to reduce costs and benefit from improved herd health and fertility. Work carried out by Dairyco showed that farmers who footbath all year around have 75% less lameness than those who don’t footbath.

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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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New Research Studies Compares Footbath Solutions

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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. 

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