moleary1 | ReproDoc Ltd.

Low lactose in late lactation milk results in severe penalties in milk price

A dairy farmer in North Cork contacted me regarding lactose levels breaking the minimum threshold of 4.0 in the past 2 weeks. This client wanted to know what action to be taken as their milk price would drop to 10 cents per litre. I advised him to dry off the cows which were late lactation […]

TIPS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012

1. Ensure you dry off cows with milk. Lactose is going to result in penalties on milk price. 2. Prevent dry cows losing body condition score prior to calving. This is the most important period in terms of future production potential of the herd. 80% of future production potential is […]

Scanning cows in Co. Westmeath

Scanned a herd of Aubrac suckler cows where fertility was excellent with a 14 week calving rate in excess of 90%. These clients informed me that the Aubrac breed is second in line in maternal traits behind the Solar breed, based on I.C.B.F. evaluations.

Scanning cows reveals poor body condition score associated with poor dry matter

On a farm visit in Co. Clare we scanned a Holstein herd that were in poor body condition. The farmer stated that the DMD was 73% however the dry matter was only 13%. At this level, high production type cows will lose body condition, unless they are being supplemented with high concentrate forages and supplements. […]

Feed scarcity and cost of production resulting in high cull rates in the North of England and Scotland

On a farm visit to Co. Derry, a client informed me that there is a high culling rate of cows in England and Scotland because of poor maize harvest and silage quality. Milk will be purchased in Northern Ireland and shipped across to England for the liquid milk trade. In conclusion, the weather has a […]

Scanning Holstein cows and maiden heifers in Co. Derry

Visited a dairy farmer in Co. Derry who presented cows for a pre-breed scan for any cows calved greater than 13 days. In addition we scanned a batch of 55 maiden heifers which were presented for scanning because they had been exposed to bulls on 2 separate occasions. The first occasion was 5 weeks ago […]

Scanning cows reveals an automated forage feeding system.

A client in Co. Antrim informed me where the company ‘LELY’ demonstrated an automated forage feeding system developed by the company ‘LELY’. A pre-programmed machine located various feedstuffs, brought them together for diet mixing and proceeded to feed the animals on the basis of requirements. The technology was demonstrated effectively and left my client gobsmacked. […]

Copper poisoning in calves

On a farm visit outside Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, a client informed us that he lost a number of calves. A post mortem investigation revealed that they had a severe infestation of fluke. However, it was found that copper poisoning was also causing further problems. The calves had access to mineral licks and gorged on same.

Holstein Friesian bull calves are currently making a pound a piece in the North of Ireland

On a farm visit in Co. Derry a client informed me that they had sold Holstein Friesian bull calves for a pound recently. There is currently no export market for bull calves in the North of Ireland. There is demand at home for these Holstein bull calves. In 1 case, a farmer bought 40 bull […]

45,000 pound sterling for a Holstein heifer calf

Scanning cows in Dromore, Co. Down, where a client informed me that a dairy farmer purchased a Holstein heifer calf for 45,000 pound sterling. This was the second highest price index in Europe, being paid for such stock. What makes this story extraordinary was the price achieved.

Testimonials

ReproDoc provide us with reproductive assessment of our cows prior to breeding – early non-pregnancy diagnosis, assessment of cows with reproductive problems, accurate ageing of pregnancies in particular where stock bulls are used towards the latter half of the breeding programmes and the sexing of pregnancies which is used from management of cows prior to calving to avoid calving difficulty. All scans are accurate which is most important. Prior to using Reprodoc, I had other men in scanning and did not get this accuracy which was a disaster.

Maurice Harty