Grazing

The improvement in weather conditions over the weekend has allowed stock to be turned out, and grazing conditions are returning to normal. If turning out stock for the first time, allow them a while in a closed in area such as a crush. This will allow them settle before being turned out to grass. Fences can be tested if you allow cattle straight out of the shed to the field and sometimes animals can injure themselves. Try to set up your paddocks in such a way that animals have two to three days in each division.

Some rain is forecast for the end of this week and if stock are moving into fresh pasture it will be easier to keep them settled. Hungry animals will do the most damage walking around so try and move regularly. On some farms with May-calving cows, there may be an opportunity to let these out to a paddock near the shed. The exercise will help and will reduce silage feeding and labour. Silage will keep if sealed correctly and who knows, it might be needed in April again. If conditions deteriorate a lot, don’t be afraid to house again until ground conditions mend.

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis generally rears its head in calves from about three weeks of age and is most commonly associated with profuse watery brown/green diarrhoea, frequently containing blood. It has become a problem on some farms this year, with prolonged housing of three- to six-weeks-old calves. In severe cases, an affected calf can show continuous signs of straining to pass faeces, with a raised tail. These calves can sometimes pass mucus or gut lining along with faeces. Once affected, calves can excrete up to a billion oocysts over the course of a full infection, leading to the rapid spread of this highly contagious disease. Infected calves can become stunted in nature, have dry coats and generally never reach their growth potential.

There are a number of products on the market to treat coccidiosis, but they are most efficient when used as preventatives in at-risk calves prior to clinical signs. Calves on farms where coccidiosis has been diagnosed should be strategically treated for coccidiostats at seven to 10 days of age, and again two weeks later where environmental contamination is high. Infected calves showing clinical signs should also be removed from the group as soon as possible, and strict hygiene measures employed in relation to feeding utensils and footwear used. Proper power-washing and disinfection of calf creeps and sheds with an effective disinfectant is also extremely important. Discuss treatment options with your vet

Cashflow

It’s important to sit down and work out the cash requirements for the farm over the coming weeks and months. Make a list of money owed and money due from cattle and sheep sales. Factor in delays because of mart closures this week. Factor in household living expenses also. Put all other farm spending on hold for the next few months until things get back to normal. If selling stock at home, check out potential customers and make sure payment has cleared before stock exchange hands. Check out the pedigree section for advice on selling at home.