Gisborne Country Veterinary Services

09/09/2024

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 ⬆️ 𝟐 𝐱 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤!

Bloat is a serious condition affecting cattle, especially during the spring and early summer months when lush, rapidly growing pasture is abundant. The condition occurs when gases produced during digestion become trapped in the rumen, causing it to swell and put pressure on the animal's lungs. If untreated, bloat can be fatal.

Cattle grazing on high-protein, legume-dominant pastures, like clover, are at higher risk. These plants promote rapid fermentation in the rumen, leading to excessive gas production. Symptoms of bloat include swelling on the left side, discomfort, labored breathing and death.

Prevention is key. Farmers can introduce anti-bloat agents such as 𝐑𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 (𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞) or offer more fibrous plants in the grazing mix to reduce risk. Monitoring cattle closely during high-risk periods and acting quickly if symptoms arise can help prevent losses.

Useful tip:
Move animals to a new pasture/paddock in the late afternoon, not in the morning. Cattle typically eat more during the morning, and the morning dew increases the rate of digestion, which can increase the risk of bloat.

06/09/2024

CLiK Promotion!!!
Buy 2 x 20L drums from the CLiK range and receive a CLiK Docking Kit including dry bag, 10mL CLiK applicator gun and draw-off tube. 🪰🪰🪰

03/09/2024

"Excited to share that our business has been featured in an article by NZ Herald! Check it out to learn more about our journey and what we’re up to."

Sheep and beef farmer Alex Meban was raised at Te Hau Station.

01/09/2024

A very good read 📖 Nutrition is the always the number one key variable 🔑 in your sheep production systems 🐑 Feed them well, get your trace elements right and parasites become significantly less important.

Parasite Pressure in Ewes at Lambing!

It’s commonly accepted that ewes lose some immunity to internal parasites over lambing. Does this matter and how should we monitor and manage it?

This loss of immunity can be measured as an increase in Faecal Egg Counts (FEC), commonly termed the PPR (Peri-Parturient Rise), which may start around 2 weeks prior to lambing. In mature crossbred ewes, FECs are often declining again by docking/tailing; in younger ewes and fine wool breeds it can continue for longer.

The PPR does not occur in all ewes, all mobs, or on all farms, and the consequences of it are highly variable and very dependent on the farm system.

Why does the PPR happen?
The last few weeks of pregnancy see our ewes undergoing big changes in metabolism and energy partitioning, plus fluctuations in hormones that drive the production of colostrum in the udder and maintain pregnancy in the final weeks. Changes in these have been well documented and seems likely that parasite immunity drops down the priority list in some ewes.

There’s plenty of research to show that ewes that are better fed (especially those fed high quality protein as well as adequate energy) have lower FECs over lambing than poorly or ‘averagely’ fed ewes, and ewes from genetic lines that are resistant to parasites also have a substantially lower PPR. There is also some evidence that genetically resistant ewes produce eggs with a lower rate of hatching and development in the environment, an added benefit in reducing the next generation of worms on pasture.

Does the PPR matter?
A quick browse of the internet will yield multiple articles that highlight the PPR as a major source of worm challenge to the new season’s lambs.

At the farm level, the drivers of parasite challenge to these lambs are far more nuanced.

The rise in worm larvae on pasture in spring is caused by a combination of the PPR and infection of young lambs from larvae that have survived the winter on pasture. As our winters have warmed up, conditions favour ongoing cycling of worms on pasture – there are more days where temperatures favour egg hatching and larval development. The impact of autumn worm contamination was always a handbrake on sheep performance, now this is being magnified by changing environmental conditions.

In systems where ewes lamb down on permanent pasture that predominantly grazed lambs the previous autumn, much of the worm contamination will be larvae that have overwintered from the autumn worm load set up by the previous season’s lambs.

In studies that have looked at the contribution of the PPR to worm larvae on pasture, the peak of larvae caused by the ewes is small in comparison to the autumn peak caused by lambs. In the multi-year AgResearch studies at Flock House where capsule use was established as a risk factor for drench resistance, the PPR in ewes only contributed to measurable levels of infection in lambs one year in three.

Where this spring rise in ewe egg output takes place on top of already elevated pasture larval levels, it can tip the balance and create worm issues for both the ewes and their lambs. Especially under conditions of poor nutrition and sub-optimal ewe condition.

Where failing drenches in autumn have set up a population of drench resistant larvae on pasture, the situation becomes even more challenging as the traditional pre-lamb treatments that may have been given to ewes, lose their efficacy.

What should we do about the PPR?
How important the PPR is, depends very much on the individual farm system.

In situations where ewes are in optimal body condition, lambing down on good feed covers at a time of year where pasture is growing to meet demand, elevated FECs in ewes over lambing may have very little consequence. If large numbers of lambs have not been carried on these areas over the autumn, so much the better.

This is evident on breeding farms in every district where ewe performance is a priority – this starts the day that lambs are weaned in the previous season. Those targets for ewe condition and feed supply for lambing are major drivers of decisions from New Year’s day onwards. Worm-resistant sheep genetics add to the recipe here, because these ewes have lower FECs over lambing. But simply relying on genetics to do the job will not be successful if feeding and body condition targets are not met.

Faecal egg counts are a useful tool in ewes at this time to see what is going on but are only part of the picture.

For example, in areas affected by autumn drought, poor ewe condition and low feed levels are likely to increase pressure from parasites. In this situation, a decision about pre-lamb treatment of ewes should be driven by these aspects. Not treating on the basis of a low FEC pre-lamb for ewes in poor condition and on short feed could be the wrong move.

Long-acting treatments given in this situation are more likely to give production responses than short-acting ones. Extra ewe & lamb weaning weight are economically important outcomes that have been measured from long-acting treatment of ewes under feed pressure. There is no evidence that these products improve lamb survival. Whether these products are still effective on your farm and how many resistant worms they contribute to the next season’s parasite load are separate questions.

Short-acting products may give the ewe a temporary clean-out, but limited work tracking these sheep shows they can become re-infected while they’re still in that period of relaxed immunity, and there is no modern data that show production benefits from such treatment.

If poor ewe condition and low feed levels are a perennial issue at lambing time, the discussion should centre on how to fix these underlying issues, rather than what product to treat the ewes with.

This article was published in the Beef + Lamb New Zealand E Diaries, Friday 30th August 2024. Sign up at www.beeflambnz.com It's also available as a PDF here: https://beeflambnz.com/news/understanding-parasite-pressure-ewes-over-lambing

22/08/2024

Free polystyrene boxes (these are what our chilled vaccines arrive in so perfect for keeping things cool). Pick up 111 Main road, Makaraka, Gisborne. Today only 👌

20/08/2024

Hi everyone,

We are excited to announce that we have a new Veterinarian joining the GCVS team in early November. Dr Scott Hawkins is a passionate and dedicated vet, and his arrival will bring a wealth of energy and expertise to our practice. Tessa and I previously worked with Scott for several years when we were down south, so we know him very well. With Scott on board, we can continue to provide top-notch veterinary care to the Gisborne/East Coast region.

Scott and his partner, Brittany, are currently looking for a place to rent. Ideally, they are seeking a rural location within 20-25 minutes from town but are open to all options. If you know of any available rentals, your assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your support!

16/08/2024

Docking Time is Here for Early Lambs! 🐑🐑🐑🪰🪰🪰

With fly pressure still low, now’s the perfect time to protect your flock. Try Cyro-Spray Spray-On for up to 6 weeks of defense against all common strike species, including the Aussie Green Blowfly 🇦🇺🪰

We’ve got everything you need, from vaccines and anthelmintics to docking rings and more. Visit us at 111 Main Road, Makaraka for top-notch animal health products and expert advice!

07/08/2024

Always handy to have a good mate that’s a Tradie to help you get to work in the morning..especially when the padlock decides to seize up! Top man Tom Pepper!

30/07/2024

Choose 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐍® 𝐋𝐀 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 as your pre-lamb treatment to ensure your ewes are in optimal health during the lambing period.

Not only will you have the convenience of the prolonged protection of 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐍® 𝐋𝐀 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, but if you - PURCHASE 40 packs of 500mL*, you will receive a 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐭(𝐑𝐑𝐏 $𝟖𝟗𝟓).

This world leading, new slimline, high torque handpiece, is the ideal tool for dagging, crutching, and shearing small flocks.

26/07/2024

Triple Mix Sheep only $29.25+gst
🐑New Handy Product to have on hand over lambing🐑 Triple Mix Sheep is designed to help reduce metabolic disorders like milk fever, grass staggers and sleepy sickness in pregnant ewes.

DIRECTIONS
Sheep Dose Rate - Give 100mls per ewe to help reduce metabolic disorders like milk fever, grass staggers and sleepy sickness in pregnant ewes. Shake product well before using.

PACK SIZE
Triple Mix Sheep is available in a 1L bottle that also comes with a draw off tube with spigot on it, you can then attach your drench gun to the pack.

STORAGE
Store out of direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.

23/07/2024

We appreciate the opportunity to support the next generation of Gisborne Farmers!

18/07/2024

Bit of traffic in the Ruakituri valley today 🐑

15/07/2024

12/07/2024

Congrats to the 3 x Winners of this weeks Friday Feature!
(We couldn't pick just one!)
Call into the clinic and pick up your Sliver Fern Shearing Singlet.

09/07/2024

Pre-Lamb Presentation 🐑- 6pm on the 12th July at the Ngatapa Rugby Clubrooms. Refreshments provided 🍺
Please RSVP to [email protected]

Come along and hear about the results we got from our 2023 pre-lamb trials, which included 2000 ewes across 4 different farms in our region.

You'll hear what the farmers involved in the trial have to say:

"ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴠᴇʀʏ ɪᴍᴘʀᴇꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴜʟᴛɪᴍɪɴ ᴘʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛ, ɪᴛ ʀᴇꜱᴜʟᴛᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʟᴀᴍʙꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴇꜱꜱ ᴅʀʏꜱ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ʀᴇꜱᴜʟᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴅᴅᴏᴄᴋ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴛᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴀ ʟᴏᴛ ʜɪɢʜᴇʀ ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴡᴇꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ɪɴ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ɴɪᴄᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴀᴍʙꜱ ᴡᴇɪɢʜᴇᴅ ᴡᴇʟʟ"

"ɪ ᴜꜱᴇᴅ ᴍᴜʟᴛɪᴍɪɴ ᴘʀᴇ ʟᴀᴍʙ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ᴇᴡᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ᴡᴇɪɢʜɪɴɢ ᴀɴɪᴍᴀʟꜱ ᴀᴛ ᴡᴇᴀɴɪɴɢ, ᴇᴡᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴀᴍʙꜱ ᴠɪꜱᴜᴀʟʟʏ ʟᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ. ᴇᴡᴇꜱ ᴡᴏᴏʟ ᴡᴀꜱ ʙʀɪɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ ʜᴇʟᴅ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴄꜱ, ʀᴇꜱᴜʟᴛɪɴɢ ɪɴ ʙɪɢɢᴇʀ ʟᴀᴍʙꜱ ᴀᴛ ᴡᴇᴀɴɪɴɢ."

We'll also have an opportunity for Q&A about everything relevant to maximising the production of your ewe flock with Gisborne Specific data.

04/07/2024

Magnesium Capsules - Protect your pregnant beef cows from the risk of Grass Staggers - Hypomagnesemia 🐂 - Rumetrace Magnesium Capsules provide sustained Mag release for 9 - 12 weeks.

04/07/2024

Pre-Lamb vaccines - Secure the health and production of your flock today🐑 Premium products, without the premium price ✅

02/07/2024

Attention Gisborne Farmers! 🐑🐂 Nitrate Poisoning diagnosed this week. 🌱🌱

As a dedicated farmer, you know the importance of maintaining the health and productivity of your livestock. However, one silent threat that could undermine your efforts is nitrate poisoning. This potentially fatal condition affects both sheep and cattle, and understanding it is crucial for safeguarding your animals.

What is Nitrate Poisoning?
Nitrate poisoning occurs when animals consume forages with high nitrate levels. Under certain conditions, such as post-drought, overcast weather, or recent fertilisation, nitrate accumulates in plants. When ingested, these nitrates convert to nitrites in the animal’s rumen, which then interferes with their blood's ability to carry oxygen.

Symptoms to Watch For:
Rapid Breathing: Increased breathing rate or difficulty breathing.
Muscle Tremors: Visible muscle tremors or uncoordinated movements.
Discoloured Mucous Membranes: Brownish or bluish tinge to gums and tongue.
Collapse: Sudden collapse or lethargy.
Death: In severe cases, sudden death can occur within a few hours 💀

Prevention Tips:
Test Forages: Regularly test pastures and feed for nitrate levels, especially after periods of stress.
Gradual Introduction: Introduce animals to new pastures gradually, allowing their rumen bacteria to adapt to higher nitrate levels.
Proper Fertilisation: Manage fertilisation carefully, avoiding over-application of nitrogen fertilizers.
Monitor Water Sources: Ensure water sources are clean and free from contamination by runoff containing nitrates.

What To Do If You Suspect Nitrate Poisoning:
Remove from Source: Immediately remove animals from suspected high-nitrate forages or water.
Seek Veterinary Help: Contact your veterinarian immediately for advice and possible treatment, such as administration of methylene blue.
Reduce Stress: Minimize stress on the affected animals while waiting for veterinary assistance.
Be Proactive, Be Prepared!
Don't let nitrate poisoning catch you off guard. By staying informed and vigilant, you can protect your sheep and cattle from this invisible threat. Keep testing, monitoring, and managing your pastures and feed to ensure your livestock remains healthy and productive.

For more information and support, contact us today.

Your livestock's health is your livelihood—take action now to prevent nitrate poisoning!

24/06/2024

What a start to the East Coast Angus Bull Week! Best of luck to all the studs involved this week🐂 🐂 🐂

21/06/2024

Big week at the NZVA conference in Christchurch for Alex! He presented his paper on last year's Gisborne-wide pre-lamb mineral injection trial. Stay tuned as we're planning a Gisborne Farmer evening in early July to share our impressive results. Watch this space!

Also you Gisborne Farmers might be interested in the video of what North Canterbury Sheep and Beef Hill Country looks like at the moment!

14/06/2024

Friday Feature!!
Gisborne Country Vets merch spotted in Tahiti!!🏝️

Send us a photo of you wearing your GCVS branded gear…and if you make our Friday feature we’ll give you a Silver Fern shearing singlet 👌🐑

08/06/2024

Our northern most client! Timmy Wheeler from Otanga Station at Lottin Point picking up his "Eraser triple oral sheep drench" and qualifying FREE Bushbuck Polar X jacket valued at $499.

04/06/2024

We wish all the best to everyone selling Hereford Bulls tomorrow. Especially our clients Wilencote Polled Herefords who have been with us from day 1.

29/05/2024

It's that time of year again! We've got Liver Fluke covered 🪱🐂
📍 111 Main Road Makaraka
📞 06 864 8387

27/05/2024

20/05/2024

EQUEST PLUS TAPE - BACK IN STOCK 🐴🐴🐴⚕️⚕️⚕️
The Ultimate Horse Wormer and Boticide.

Ensure the optimal health and well-being of your beloved horses and ponies with Equest Gel a powerful and highly effective horse wormer and boticide.

Designed to treat and control a wide range of parasites including tapeworms roundworms adult and late encysted stages of small strongyles (redworms) and bots Equest Gel provides unparalleled protection with just a single dose.

08/05/2024

We have the best clients! Donuts are not expected but well received!