The exact time of weaning will be different for each flock. Factors to consider when deciding when to wean include Ewe body condition score (BCS) – you should aim to wean ewes at a BCS of 2.5. If the BCS is lower than this, weaning early (~10 weeks post lambing) can give the ewes more …

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The sun’s out, and so are the flies! Far from just being a nuisance, flies can have a surprisingly large impact on growth, production and welfare. Research suggests flies can cause a decrease in cattle growth rates of up to 0.3kg/day, and a reduction in milk yield of up to 0.5l/day. In addition, flies also …

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Plan ahead to make sure you have enough teaser power ready for the Autumn! Vasectomised rams (teasers) are a really useful tool for ensuring a successful sheep breeding season. Teasers are particularly useful for: • Early lambing flocks, to encourage ewes to start cycling early in the season • Ewe lambs, to encourage them to …

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This can be a high risk time for mastitis in cows and ewes. Warmer temperatures, dirtier pastures, more flies about and calves and lambs starting to eat a more varied diet can all contribute to the risk. Keep a close eye on stock for signs of mastitis, including changes to the udder (redness, hardness, uneven …

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One of the main problems we see over the summer in cattle at grass is lameness. Most commonly this is due to an infection caused by bacteria that live in the soil – commonly known as foul in the foot. Foul can be treated very effectively with antibiotics, but it is also important to check …

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Sheep are very sensitive to copper, although different breeds respond to it differently. Some breeds are very prone to copper poisoning, and copper should only be supplemented in these breeds with extreme care, or not at all. These breeds include Texel, Suffolk, North Ronaldsay and some continental breeds. Signs of copper poisoning include weakness, aimless …

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