Pneumonia risk: I have been talking to several farmers who have had significant issues with pneumonia in the last few weeks. Sharp changes in temperature, combined with poor airflow in sheds, can lead to ideal conditions for an outbreak. The crucial thing here is to take early action to ensure an outbreak does not happen. Where there is a significant history of pneumomia, it may be worth talking to a vet about a vaccination programme or other factors which increase the risk of outbreaks such as air flow in sheds, housing management and mixing of stock. Where there is a pneumonia issue, many vets will take nasal swabs to try to highlight the pathogen so that the correct treatment can take place. Isolation pens are critical. Once an animal shows any signs of the illness, they should be removed to isolation pens. Cattle should be observed morning and evening, watch for telltale signs like slow feeders or dull looking calves.

Mineral supplementation pre-calving: All in-calf cows should be supplemented with minerals for six to eight weeks prior to calving. I have heard of several farmers who have had higher calf losses than usual. On further investigation, one of the issues that has cropped up has been mineral deficiencies. It is also vital that the mineral mix used is fit for purpose. Where you know that your forage is low in essential minerals, ensure that the mineral mix you are using makes up the shortfall.

Preparing for successful calving: It is essential that before cows start calving, you have everything in place to help ensure a safe and successful calving period. The first step should be ensuring that the facilities are up to scratch. Calving pens with calving gates are essential. A simple rule of thumb is that there should be one calving pen for every 15 cows. Cows should be moved into calving pens well in advance of calving (12 to 24 hours prior to calving where possible). Ensure that the calving jack is working correctly and that the ropes are to hand, along with lubricant and gloves. Calving pens should be disinfected and well bedded before use and cleaned between calvings. The jack should be used as an aid. Jack to tension the ropes and wait for the cow to push and then push down on the jack to aid the calving.

Calves: This week’s Focus supplement is on calves. We look at the financials behind calf-to-beef systems and give key management tips for calf rearers. Last year saw low calf exports driven by higher prices. While prices in early January are always high, it is impossible to say where the price of calves will average this year. Before you commit, it is vital that you do a budget. While a calf-to-beef system is relatively cheap to get into, most systems require about €750 to €900 in working capital per head from purchase to slaughter, so budget carefully.