As Great British Calf Week 2023 ends, we thought we’d share a really positive story from one of our farms who rears dairy-beef calves to sell as stores.
Historically, this farm has really struggled with pneumonia, and it was not uncommon for whole pens of calves to need treating. We were also disappointed with the weights that were at best only reaching around 270kg at 9-12 months old. This was resulting in poorer selling prices for the farmer.
Beckie and the farmer have worked together over the last 12 months to make some changes (many of them small) to improve health and growth rates for new batches of calves. This has included vaccinating for two pneumonia viruses shortly after arrival on farm, along with giving them a ‘Multimin’ injection that helps combat the negative effects of market/travel stress on the immune system and boost the response to the vaccine. Some adjustments have also been made to the cleaning of feeding equipment and their nutrition. Calves are now being weighed on arrival, at weaning and prior to being sold.
The first batch under this ‘new’ system are now ready to be sold, and we are so happy with them. All of them bar one (who had a urinary tract infection earlier this year - she has done 0.7kg/day) have gained over 0.8kg/day since arriving on farm - with many of them pushing over 1kg per day - and the majority are over 320kg.
The costs of the changes have already been more than recouped for this farm in the reduction of vet call out and drug fees alone, as treating batches of calves for pneumonia here has become a distant memory. We are excited to see how these calves sell, but are optimistic for increased prices with how brilliant they look.
There are already some more upcoming changes planned to improve things further, including switching from bucket feeding to teats, getting calves in at younger ages and not disbudding them around weaning.
Whether they are replacement dairy heifers, dairy-beef or sucklers, optimising the
Yesterday's tup vasectomies kept Mel busy... here is a sped up video of one being done.
As you can see the procedure is relatively simple - removing a section of each spermatic cord, meaning that the teasers still produce testosterone, but cannot get ewes in lamb. If you are interested in learning more about how teasers can help tighten your lambing period, please get in touch as we have availability on our next practice day, Wednesday 12th July! (Alternatively, we can come out on farm if you can't bring your tup(s) to the practice)
#teamsheep #teasertime #lambingprep #tupvasectomy #PeakfieldFarmVets
Another day, another bucket fly trap full to bursting!
For more information on our environmentally-friendly approach to fly control using Bestico UK biowasps, bioflies and bucket traps get in touch on 01283243363 or speak to Beckie.
#flycontrol #environmentallyfriendly #biowasps #bioflies #buckettraps #proactivefarming #PeakfieldFarmVets
Put your hand up if you find disbudding stressful and time consuming 🙋♀️
Disbudding is also a stressful procedure for calves which can increase susceptibility to disease like pneumonia and can reduce their daily liveweight gain.
Beckie has been disbudding batches of 30 calves under sedation on this block calving herd. This method results in:
🐄 Easier restraint and less stress for the calves
🐄 Farm staff being free to carry out other jobs as no assistance is needed
🐄 Calves returning to feeding sooner and wounds healing better
This service is offered at a reduced hourly rate. If its something you think might help you, give us a call!
#teamdairy #stressfreecalves #improvedwelfare #heretohelp #PeakfieldFarmVets
