As we head into summer, it’s time to plan ahead for your herd’s health and productivity. Here are key steps for cows, heifers, and calves to keep your farm running smoothly.
Cows
- Pregnancy Testing: Book your scan early! The earliest empties can be called is six weeks after the last mating. Most farms need two scans for accurate ageing (40–90 days pregnant).
- Tag & Data Accuracy: Ensure eartags are clear and readable, replace missing tags, and resolve any MINDA queries or duplicate numbers. This makes scanning day efficient and ensures smooth data flow into Infovet.
- Facial Eczema Prevention: The season is approaching. Bring in grass samples for a spore count to know when to start zinc. One week after full zinc dosing, check therapeutic levels via blood tests (15 cows) or a bulk milk zinc test. Correct zinc levels are essential for protection—otherwise, it’s wasted money.
- BMSCC Management: If somatic cell counts are rising, our trained mastitis assessors can help. Start with milk cultures and consider a Mastitis Warrant of Fitness.
- Autumn Drying Off: Plan timings for dry cow treatments and withholdings. Order products early to avoid delays.
Heifers
- Pregnancy Testing: Heifers can be tested six weeks after bull removal. Watch for early abortions—diagnosis usually requires blood samples and fresh aborted material.
- Summer Feed Plan: Work with your grazier to plan ahead in case feed gets short. Early communication prevents under-sized animals returning home.
Calves
- Ready for Grazing: Share health status with your grazier—Lepto, 5-in-1, BVD vaccinations, last drench, and mineral treatments (copper capsule, B12/Selenium injection). Use our Animal Health Arrival/Departure cards for easy info transfer.
- Growth Monitoring: Regular weighing identifies struggling calves early for targeted feeding or interventions.
- Vaccinations: Continue Lepto vaccinations (4–6 weeks between doses), plus BVD and Salmonella.
- Yersinia Alert: Lush pasture has increased cases. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent growth checks. Suspect Yersinia if calves look poor or scour despite regular drenching.
Final Tips
Look after yourselves in the sun, and hopefully, you get a well-deserved break off-farm. Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year!
