Fertility in stock bulls impaired by lameness

On a call in Kilkeel Co Down today where stock bulls are used for breeding cows indoors for autumn calving. Stock bulls were introduced 25th November and was severely lame after a 3 day period. He was removed from the herd and new stock bull was introduced. The client revealed he was going to get […]

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Minimizing antibiotic usage for dry cow therapy

On a farm visit in Moneymore  Co Derry a client informed that his current policy regarding preparation of cows for drying off entails use of milk recording data to access somatic cell count (SCC). On the basis of the three previous milk recordings showing low SCC, no antibiotics are used in conjunction withdry cow therapy. […]

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Ammonia emissions will restrict expansion in dairy in North of Ireland

On farm visits in the North this week , farmers revealed that opportunity for further expansion will be restricted by planning laws restricting any new farming developments for housing cows. This is based on ammonia emissions. We have several reports of farmers been faced with planning restrictions being implanted whereby farm buildings were constructed without […]

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Ovsynch programmes should not be used in conjugation with breeding maiden heifers using sex semen.

On calls in Derry & Tyrone this week where farmers want to breed batches of maiden heifers using sex semen. For convenience & to optimise the number of animals bred over short period of time, ovsynch programmes have been recommended to reduce the risk associated with use of sex semen where pregnancy outcomes may be […]

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Heat detection in suckler cows difficult indoors

Farm calls using SmartScan technology at this time of year with suckler herds consistently reveal difficulty in detecting heats. SmartScan technology enables you to accurately determine stage of cycle of year suckler cows and indeed reveal those cows that are not cycling. This gives you excellent information in terms of controlled breeding management of your […]

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Underlying stressors must be identified and removed before super ovulation programmes in cattle

On a call in Tulla Co Clare, we identified a Charolais cow which had underlying stressors preventing the opportunity to harvest embryos using superovulation and embryo transfer. This cow is foundation female for this elite Charolais herd. We identified that the cow was now suitable for a superovulation programme. Previous ScanSmart assessments by ReproDoc revealed […]

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Twins in beef and dairy cattle increase risk of health problems & reduce future survivability

Twins are often looked at favorable by young children on farm however they do create significant health risks for both cow and her subsequent survival in the herd. Also associated with increased risk of abortion, premature calvings, stillbirths, early postnatal death of calves born. Farm visits both dairy and suckler herds, encountered cows carrying early […]

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Beef cull cow values have disseminated in the past decade

Shane Jamison Glin Co Limerick is a pedigree Simmential breeder has noted that his cull cow values from this breed have dropped in price from high figure €1600 thirteen years ago to price of €1000 for similar cow today. In addition he has to put €150 worth of concentrates into this animal , meeting a […]

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Minimising antibiotic usage for dry cow therapy

On a farm visit Moneymore in Co Derry client informed that his current policy regarding preparation of cows for drying off entails use of milk recording data to access somatic cell count (SCC). On the basis of the three previous milk recordings showing low SCC, no antibiotics are used in conjunction dry cow therapy . […]

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Sex Semen might be the only option to remove Friesian bull calves from the production system on animal welfare basis in the future.

On a farm visit in Co Derry this week a client revealed that of the first 97% cows that calved he had 86 Friesian heifer calves. This is in his opinion created many advantages – opened the window for use of Friesian AI. Pre breed scan conducted each year identified does cows that were not […]

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