Summer mastitis predominantly occurs during the warm summer months with cattle out at pasture. The disease changes little over the years, affecting the same farms year after year and often just certain fields on those farms. The disease affects non-lactating cows, but can also affect replacement heifers, leading to devastating consequences. Very few affected quarters […]
13
Jan
Jan
Milk fever (parturient hypocalcaemia) means a lowering of blood calcium levels around the time of calving. Lack of calcium results in a loss of muscle activity with symptoms of milk fever being a lack of muscle function. A cow with milk fever, won’t respond fully to calcium injections unless her magnesium status is satisfactory. Why? […]
12
Oct
Oct
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, […]
Crystalyx News
Crystalyx were proud to support the Hampshire Down Sheep Breeder Association at Banbridge, Co. Down last week.
10
Oct
Oct
Pictured (below): Crystalyx Account Manager Luke Morgan, handing over the awards for the evening.
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 […]
19
Aug
Aug
The team at Crystalyx have used their 40 years’ experience in UK ruminant agriculture to develop the first range of feed blocks specifically formulated for dairy systems from calf rearing through to milking cows. “Feed blocks are well established as an effective method of supplementing beef and sheep to optimise performance and margins,” comments Crystalyx […]
26
Mar
Mar
Turning stock out to grass in spring comes as a relief to many farmers, but animal performance and health can suffer if stock are not maintained on a nutritionally balanced diet. Careful supplementation at grass can be catalyst for enhanced animal performance and improved profitability. Crystalyx Cattle High-Mag, Crystalyx Cattle Booster and Crystalyx Garlyx offer […]
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 […]