Fluke: I was speaking to a vet in the midlands this week who said he was alarmed at the level of fluke-infested livers he’s coming across in the factory.
While some may have skipped dosing due to dry weather in the summer, Department of Agriculture advice is that the risk is “moderate” in the northwest and midlands, and “lower” in the south”. You should still remain vigilant for the disease and at the very least ask about animals’ livers when slaughtered.
The most common signs of fluke in cattle are poor thrive and loss of condition; in very advanced stages, bottle jaw can present; with anaemia a symptom during the chronic phase. Triclabendazole-based doses are the only products that can kill early immature, immature and adult liver fluke with an effectiveness of between 90% and 100%. These have been widely used in cattle herds and sheep flocks and this is one of the reasons resistance has developed.
Remember that mature fluke are over eight weeks of age, so if you are using a product that is only active against mature fluke, animals must be housed for at least eight weeks to get high efficiency.
Liver fluke control is very important in autumn- and winter-calving cows, as the presence of liver fluke parasites adds to nutritional stress and has the potential to reduce animal performance and delay resumption of cycling.
Talk to your vet about a control strategy for your farm.
Autumn bulls: With autumn born bulls destined for under 16 month bull beef now on ad-lib feed on many farms, feed management is critical to avoid digestive upsets and acidosis. Access to fibre in the form of straw or silage is also important. Make sure these animals have clear access to clean fresh water every day as intakes can drop quickly where water becomes an issue. At drafting, try and select a pen at a time as mixing will result in fighting and injury.
Safety: I attended a great event organised by agricultural consultant Paul Belton in Granard Mart on Tuesday night where one of the speakers, Myles Reilly from Axa Insurance, gave an excellent presentation on farm accidents and how we as an industry need to do better.
One of the simplest slides I have seen on the subject has stuck with me since. It was in relation to farmer perceptions and had four key sentences:
Farming is a very dangerous business but my farm is safe.Twenty people will possibly die on farms in Ireland over the next 12 months but this won’t happen on my farm.Cows are dangerous and aggressive at calving but my cows are quiet.One thousand farmers will be treated in hospital from a farm accident in the next 12 months but it won’t be me.Take a few moments this week to see where improvements can be made in the yard. One of the biggest problems at this time of year is insufficient lighting as morning jobs are being completed in darkness – evening jobs are the same. A few extra lights around the yard could make it a lot safer.
Fluke: I was speaking to a vet in the midlands this week who said he was alarmed at the level of fluke-infested livers he’s coming across in the factory.
While some may have skipped dosing due to dry weather in the summer, Department of Agriculture advice is that the risk is “moderate” in the northwest and midlands, and “lower” in the south”. You should still remain vigilant for the disease and at the very least ask about animals’ livers when slaughtered.
The most common signs of fluke in cattle are poor thrive and loss of condition; in very advanced stages, bottle jaw can present; with anaemia a symptom during the chronic phase. Triclabendazole-based doses are the only products that can kill early immature, immature and adult liver fluke with an effectiveness of between 90% and 100%. These have been widely used in cattle herds and sheep flocks and this is one of the reasons resistance has developed.
Remember that mature fluke are over eight weeks of age, so if you are using a product that is only active against mature fluke, animals must be housed for at least eight weeks to get high efficiency.
Liver fluke control is very important in autumn- and winter-calving cows, as the presence of liver fluke parasites adds to nutritional stress and has the potential to reduce animal performance and delay resumption of cycling.
Talk to your vet about a control strategy for your farm.
Autumn bulls: With autumn born bulls destined for under 16 month bull beef now on ad-lib feed on many farms, feed management is critical to avoid digestive upsets and acidosis. Access to fibre in the form of straw or silage is also important. Make sure these animals have clear access to clean fresh water every day as intakes can drop quickly where water becomes an issue. At drafting, try and select a pen at a time as mixing will result in fighting and injury.
Safety: I attended a great event organised by agricultural consultant Paul Belton in Granard Mart on Tuesday night where one of the speakers, Myles Reilly from Axa Insurance, gave an excellent presentation on farm accidents and how we as an industry need to do better.
One of the simplest slides I have seen on the subject has stuck with me since. It was in relation to farmer perceptions and had four key sentences:
Farming is a very dangerous business but my farm is safe.Twenty people will possibly die on farms in Ireland over the next 12 months but this won’t happen on my farm.Cows are dangerous and aggressive at calving but my cows are quiet.One thousand farmers will be treated in hospital from a farm accident in the next 12 months but it won’t be me.Take a few moments this week to see where improvements can be made in the yard. One of the biggest problems at this time of year is insufficient lighting as morning jobs are being completed in darkness – evening jobs are the same. A few extra lights around the yard could make it a lot safer.
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