Andrews Veterinary Services

21/09/2022

21/09/2022

We are heading into the last week of September. Which means that mating for many farmers out there is only 5-7 weeks away. Gee time flies. So what should we be thinking about doing?
Cows:
•Identify light cows & do something with them (own herd, OAD, drench, increase feed etc)
•Tail paint all cows (ideally a different colour for late calvers), paint cycling cows a different colour
•Check the mineral levels of the cows
•Get a mating plan organized
•Metricheck the late calvers

Yearling Heifers
•Drench & mineral supplement (don't forget copper should be given 4 weeks pre-mating)
•Weigh
•Organise mating plan, bulls, AI tech, synchro plan.
•Remember that heifers should be mated a week before the cows to give them time to acclimatize to being milked (plus all the other benefits)

Calves:
•Lepto vaccination programs should be started next month
•Clostridial vaccination
•Finish debudding
•Weigh calves to ensure weights are adequate at weaning
•Consider drenching at weaning with a drench that kills coccidia such as Turbo Initial.
•Debud the last of the calves

Bulls
•If you have bulls on the farm, don't forget to ensure they are getting mineral supplementation.
•BVD vaccination
•Remember that semen is formed 6-8 weeks before its used so ensure the bulls are healthy & well fed from now on.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss your herd health plan. Or anything really. 😆

06/09/2022

Metrichecking!
If you haven't already, now is the time to think about getting your metrichecking organised.
Research has shown that the earlier you treat the infection, the better your incalf rates are in cows that have an infection. An increase of 10% 6 week incalf rate on cows that were treated vs cows that were left to either self cure or treated closer to mating.
So if you haven't already, change the colour paint of your calved cows.
I recommend checking cows that have calved 14 days.

16/08/2022

Calf debudding!
Best time to do this is between 2-6 weeks of age.
With calf sheds fulling up, now is the time to start thinking about getting this done.
Easiest way to do it is to get my team & I in to do it.
$5.50 excl gst per calf. This includes sedation, local anesthetic, extra teats removed & navels checked & treated if necessary. Extra pain relief can be given at an additional cost. Mileage extra.
Vet always on job, so if you have any other issues, they can be discussed or looked at at the same time.

15/08/2022

My team & I will be in Clydevale debudding on Thursday. If you would like to get some done, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
$5.50excl gst per calf, includes sedation, local anaesthetic, check navels & remove extra teats.

20/07/2022

Over the last few days I've been treating a heavily pregnant ewe. Unfortunately she wasn't responding to the treatment she was being given. We gave her an ultrasound & saw her lambs were still alive so decided to try & save them. A c-section was performed under local before the ewe was euthanized.
However we ended up with these 2 bouncing baby boys, who so far are thriving under the wonderful care of their owners.

15/07/2022

Hope everyone is keeping their heads above water. Fingers crossed for a weekend of no rain!

15/07/2022

Importance of collecting baleage wrap!
This baleage wrap was removed from the rumen of a heifer that was showing vague signs of not doing well. The owners elected to euthanize & this was found on post mortem exam. Its the second animal I have had this happen this year.