Shed Space and Bedding

Shed space is becoming extremely tight on many farms around the country and yesterday’s rain will have further delayed any chance of getting cattle out. Try to keep a clean dry bed under calves to avoid disease issues. Where straw is scarce, peat is a good alternative. We have used two loads of peat in Tullamore and are very happy with the results.

If you are short of fodder, feed 2-3kg of meal to calved cows and this will reduce forage requirements. If cattle are out, try not to poach and keep cattle in smaller groups. This will help to avoid damage.

Make sure you have a tetany control measure in place, like boluses, buckets or feeding cal-mag. Feeding silage will help prevent tetany but it’s difficult in the current conditions. We have given the cows magnesium boluses on Tullamore, costing €5.50/cow, and this will cover them for four weeks. Cows also have access to high-mag lick buckets.

Once cattle have access to shelter they should be OK but make sure to herd cows and young calves twice daily. Look for calves getting up and stretching and sucking. Make sure all young calves are keeping up with their mothers when moved. Avoid dehorning or stressing animals too much when weather conditions are bad as this will only compound problems.

Colostrum

While we have seen and heard many different strategies from vets around assisting calvings on our demo nights over the past three weeks, there is one thing that every vet stressed the importance of and that was colostrum. Padraig Duggan, our Kilkenny vet, said on Tuesday night that in cases of outbreaks of navel infections, scours or pneumonia, it is generally traced back to inadequate colostrum intake with the calf. Feeding 0.5kg soya bean meal pre-calving was advised by most vets to increase the protein concentration of the diet and increase colostrum production. Following a simple one-two-three plan is a good way of remembering the critical points. One: first milking; Two: within two hours, Three: three litres in volume. A clean bucket for calving and milking is also important. Two stomach tubes, one for sick calves and one for colostrum, is also a good tip to avoid spreading disease. Calves that suck unaided will get maximum absorption. Any calf that has been assisted should get extra attention to make sure they get enough.

Last SOS Event

The last in our series of SOS events takes place in Carnaross Mart, Co Meath, tonight at 7pm. A reminder for anyone with signed petitions to post them to SOS, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12, by Friday 23 March.

  • Carnaross Mart, Meath, Thursday 15 March 7pm-9pm.
  • The event is KT-approved for the Knowledge Transfer programme and will have speakers from the Irish Farmers Journal, IFA, local vet, ICBF and Progressive Genetics. A live calving the cow demonstration will take place and live animals will be on display at the event.