Stephen Glenn milks 200 cows with his brother Philip and father Leslie near Carryduff in Co Down. Calving takes the place the year around, apart from the months of June and July. Up to three years ago the family would have had trouble with young calves and, in particular, an issue with scours when they were put on to powdered milk, after having received colostrum.
“We were advised to dose the calves with the probiotic product Provita Protect, Stephen explained.
Provita will be attending The Royal Ulster Winter Fair, Stand 148. Visitors will see the highest quality of dairy cattle on show as well as having the opportunity to find out what the industry has to offer. Provita will be on hand to offer advice and services to the dairy farming industry. This year’s Royal … Read more
Research in America has found that copper has reached toxic levels in soils due to copper sulphate being used in footbaths. It was reported at the recent International Lameness Conference that fields which have gone toxic can no longer grow alfalfa.
Recent, independent research has confirmed just how exposed newborn calves are to picking up disease. For example, on average, it will take a young calf up to three and a half hours to get its first suck. And before it even finds its mother’s teat, it may well have already sucked her tail, leg and other body parts. As a result, the young calf will ingest large number of bugs – Salmonella, E Coli etc – before it receives one drop of colostrum.
Provita’s Tommy Armstrong takes up the story:
“It is crucially important for a young calf to get colostrum as soon as possible after birth,” he explained
The RTA Dairy Scheme requires dairy farmers to seek veterinary involvement in annual reviews of herd health and performance since October 2013.
The RTA Dairy Board recognises the benefits to dairy farmers of working with a vet to identify underlying health issues and using the vet’s expertise to identify ways to improve. Because of this, the Board decided to change the minimum scheme requirements for vets to review the following on an annual basis:
Veterinarian Roger Blowey has highlighted the increasing importance of digital dermatitis (DD) related infections that appear to be affecting the skin and hoof. Speaking at a Cattle Lameness Workshop, hosted by Jubilee Veterinary Practice on David and Stephen Jackson’s farm in Bangor, he added:
“The first of these conditions, commonly referred to as toe necrosis or seedy toe, is seen as a non-healing, stinking open sore at the toe.
The University of Bristol hosted the 17th International Symposium and 9th International Conference on Lameness in Ruminants in August 2013 where researchers and veterinarians from the world of lameness shared the latest research and knowledge about lameness.
Roger Blowey, the highly respected veterinarian, described how the Digital Dermatitis (DD) associated treponeme bacteria can alter gene transcription to assist their own survival. As Nick Evans, University of Liverpool, explained “these bacteria can then fly under the immune radar”.
Provita will be attending AgriScot 2013, Stand 114, Highland Hall. AgriScot, the UK’s No1 Farm Business Event is now widely regarded as one of the premier events in UK agriculture. It continues to develop its appeal to all sectors of the industry, both to the trade and to a wide cross section of farmers eager … Read more
DairyCo research has shown that 35 cows out of 100 will have lameness problems if footbathing is not carried out. “This is a median figure,” added Provita’s Tommy Armstrong.
“In comparison, figures drop down to 20 cows out of 100 on farms footbathing during housing. Even better results are achieved on farms that are footbathing all year round, with the figure dropping down to 10 cows per 100. This represents a 70% reduction in the overall scale of the problem, one that is costing the dairy sector millions of pounds in terms of lost production.”
World Dairy Expo, October 1st – 5th is a five day event showcasing the finest in dairy genetics and the newest technologies available to the dairy industry in Madison, Wisconsin. Provita will be profiling the Hoofsure Range at booth EH 1314. Come and speak to a member of our team for information and offers available.