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. […]
Author Archives: Rachel Titterington
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 […]
26
Nov
Nov
Regular weather changes have led to severe respiratory challenges for young dairy calves throughout the autumn of 2024. According to David Morgan, this emphasises the necessity of a draught-free environment and dry and comfortable bedding at all times. He added: “These young animals need access to highly digestible feed sources. It’s also a reality that […]
25
Oct
Oct
Nutrition mid-pregnancy should not be overlooked It is important to maintain body condition in this key period as it pays dividends in terms of scanning rate and subsequent lamb performance. Lakeside Lleyn’s have achieved a 204% scanning rate thanks to Crystalyx Extra High Energy Mid-pregnancy (months two and three) is when the embryo is implanted […]
19
Aug
Aug
Extreme rainfall is steadily on the rise and is impacting on the availability of micronutrients to grazing animals. The Met Office has reported via the UK Climate report that the UK has become nine percent wetter over the last few decades. EPA Climate Ireland have also reported a seven percent increase in rainfall in the […]
01
Aug
Aug
is Whatever your land type or market target, the number of lambs you rear will impact the income you reap from your sheep enterprise. Tupping sheep is the starting point for avoiding those empty sheep that don’t pay the bills. The best thing you can do is to look back at your previous lambing’s. What […]
19
Jul
Jul
For dairy and suckler farms that have livestock out to pasture during the summer months, fly control is vital. There’s the threat of summer mastitis in replacement heifers and dry cows. There’s also the threat of the Bluetongue viral disease transmitted by infected midges. Rain combined with a rise in temperatures make for the perfect […]