Rearing replacement heifers accounts for approx. 20% of farm production costs and is the second largest expense after the cost of feed for the milking herd. Calfhood diseases have a major impact on rearing economics and can also have long-term effects on performance. Optimal calf health pre-weaning, putting an emphasis on prevention rather than cure, […]
Author Archives: Graeme Warnock
22
Sep
Sep
Dairy and beef farmers find themselves in the almost unique positions of having grass banks building up on their farms on a par with what they would expect to be dealing with during the very best spells of spring weather. But irrespective of how good grass growth rates are at the present time, it must […]
17
Feb
Feb
The numbers of sheep producers using Crystalyx High Energy Feed Blocks continues to increase as we enter the spring lambing period. This trend reflects recognition by farmers that Crystalyx feed blocks will help maintain body condition on ewes in the run-up to lambing. Luke Morgan, Caltech Crystalyx Account Manager comments: “The core challenge facing ewes […]
27
Oct
Oct
Respiratory problems are most frequent in autumn and winter, when calves and sheep can develop respiratory problems shortly after housing. Damp, foggy days during the winter and a persistent damp atmosphere in the shed, supports a much higher level of infectious agents than dry air. The problem is partly created by the sharing of respiratory […]
18
Sep
Sep
Many cases of milk fever can be prevented, by ensuring normal blood magnesium levels are maintained in the dry period. This is particularly true of summer and autumn calving cows which spend their entire dry period at grass, often eating forages with a low available magnesium content. Milk fever (parturient hypocalcaemia) means a lowering of […]
11
Aug
Aug
New research from Aberystwyth University has again confirmed that feeding Crystalyx Extra High Energy to ewes at grass increases the number of lambs born next spring compared to ewes on grass alone. At scanning the Crystalyx fed ewes, in the Aberystwyth University study, had an EXTRA 20% lamb numbers inside them compared to the control […]
22
Jul
Jul
The fly season is in full swing and with it comes the very real threat of breeding heifers and dry cows succumbing to Summer Mastitis. All it takes is a single incursion by an infected fly into the teat canal of a cow or heifer to create the problem. The end result is the severe […]
18
Mar
Mar
Covid-19 UPDATE: Caltech Crystalyx is treating the spread of Coronavirus extremely seriously, with the health and well-being of customers, staff and the public being our top priority. The situation is constantly changing, however we would like to offer reassurance that we are doing everything within our power to ensure our business continues to function as […]
11
Feb
Feb
With so many different feed blocks and mineral buckets on the market, it is often difficult to determine which product offers the best value in terms of product cost and livestock performance. The cost differential between blocks on the face of it can be quite significant; however, if you scratch the surface and look beyond […]
12
Apr
Apr
SPRING TURNOUT – THE NEED FOR MAGNESIUM Although the annual rate of hypomagnesaemia/staggers/tetany (low blood magnesium) in UK dairy cows is less then 1%, one third of affected cows will die. These clinical cases are the tip of the iceberg; the rest of the group may also be sub-clinically affected. Hypomagnesaemia remains one of the […]
