Farmers love to talk about the weather! When we dig into why, it’s because the weather can make or break things and directly impacts grass growth and grazing conditions for livestock, things farmers need to control every day. The question is how do we control the uncontrollable and stop weather conditions playing havoc with livestock […]
Author Archives: Rachel Titterington
16
May
May
Herbal leys – are they for you? We weigh up the pros, the cons and the must-do’s when it comes to growing and feeding sheep and cattle herbal ley. As Single Farm Payment is phased out and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) somewhat takes its place, farming herbal leys has become increasingly popular in the […]
17
Apr
Apr
FULL-TIME WAREHOUSE OPERATIVE Caltech a division of Carr’s Group PLC, are a leading manufacturer of molasses-based animal feed licks for the ruminant and equine market. We currently have a vacancy for a full-time Warehouse Operative. Duties will involve managing resources to aid the manufacture of cost-effective quality products whilst also ensuring the warehouse is kept […]
21
Mar
Mar
While some sheep feed lick brands on the market are cheaper to buy, they may actually cost more if they are overeaten. This is something that Duncan Hawley discovered after taking delivery of Crystalyx by accident… Duncan Hawley, who farms in Warwickshire in partnership with his parents and wife, currently lambs 400 Suffolk-cross and mule […]
07
Mar
Mar
With cattle prices persistently strong this year, here’s how you can increase cattle live weight gain without spending tonnes on feed. Right now, prices are more than a pound per kilo higher than they were this time last year. Price for finished cattle went over £6 per kilo at abattoirs in early February, and there’s […]
27
Feb
Feb
Spring turnout…it’s a highlight in the calendar for most livestock farmers. After months of gruelling work keeping livestock housed throughout the winter, we look forward to fairer weather, more daylight hours, and seeing livestock enjoying some fresh spring grass. It can be tempting at this stage to down tools and let nature work its magic. […]
13
Feb
Feb
There was a tremendous turnout of farmers for a recent ‘lambing information’ evening, hosted by Fane Valley at the company’s Ballycastle store in North Co Antrim. Courtesy of his presentation, Crystalyx Ireland’s David Morgan highlighted the role of high quality forages in the diets offered to ewes in late pregnancy prior to lambing. He also […]
30
Jan
Jan
Turning stock out to grass in spring comes as a relief to many farmers. However, animal performance and health suffer when livestock do not maintain a nutritionally balanced diet. Fast-growing and lush grass in early season is often low in minerals and lacking magnesium. When cattle are turned out to graze, they risk developing grass […]
21
Jan
Jan
Having access to the correct nutrition is never more important than in the lead up to calving. Here we consider the suitability of a cattle mineral block in achieving this efficiently and effectively. For any beef or dairy system – calving health, calving ease, calf ‘get-up-and-go’, and colostrum and milk production – hinges on effective […]
19
Dec
Dec
As ewes near lambing, glucose demands increase. At the same time, however, appetite decreases. This is a perfect storm for the dreaded twin lamb disease. This is one of the most compelling times of the year to supplement with a mineral lick for sheep. Twin lamb disease not only impacts on ewe health, but also […]
