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 […]
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 […]
03
Apr
Apr
How to Improve Cattle Performance at Grass With Research Proven Crystalyx Crystalyx Cattle Booster, feeding youngstock at grass. Grass is still the cheapest available feed for cattle and is capable of sustaining good levels of animal performance. However grass alone provides an inconsistent source of nutrients and without a balanced nutrient intake, feed digestion and […]
16
Jan
Jan
Pre-Calving Nutritional Advice The key to successful calving is cow condition. Cows should be fit – not fat – when they calve down, ideally a condition score in the range 2.5-3 at calving. Overfatness comes from over feeding in late lactation or the early dry period. Cows should be at the target calving condition when […]
21
Nov
Nov
In a step to address the changing requirements of livestock farmers, Crystalyx, the UK’s leading feed block supplier, has developed two new products; Crystalyx Sheep Beet Balancer and Crystalyx Beet Balancer, formulated to specifically balance diets high in brassicas and fodder beet. Crystalyx Sheep Beet Balancer is designed to complement a high brassica diet, and […]
13
Aug
Aug
Respiratory problems in young cattle are, unfortunately, all too common. Calves, like children, are particularly prone to respiratory problems as their immune system is not fully developed. The severity of the problems can vary from a mild nasal discharge and coughing in a group of calves, to severe pneumonia with some deaths. Respiratory problems are […]
07
Aug
Aug
MAKE BEST USE OF GRASS. MAXIMISE PERFORMANCE AND FERTILITY– WITH CRYSTALYX! It’s certainly been a great season for grass growth, oodles of the stuff all across the country. As we have passed the longest day in grass terms the peak has passed and we are on the way down the growth curve. In quality terms from […]
06
Jul
Jul
Keep biting insects away from livestock with Crystalyx Garlyx The ‘fly season’ is in full swing and with it comes the enhanced risk of pre calving cows and in-calf heifers becoming predisposed to Summer Mastitis. However, the good news is that Crystalyx Garlyx represents a natural way of protecting cattle – and sheep- from biting insects. The […]
19
May
May
When grass is plentiful, the feeding of extra energy as concentrates to late lactation cows may be uneconomic – especially with prices the way they are right now. Grass dry matter intakes can be depressed and replaced with the concentrates such that any increase in total energy intake will be relatively small. What is needed […]
25
Mar
Mar
Will, Stephen and Alan Vose farm with their father Bill at Blundell House Farm near Ormskirk where the main enterprises are arable crops including maincrop potatoes and a 1000 ewe flock, split into January and March lambing groups. The Suffolk x Mule ewes are put to Hampshire tups and average 1.65 lambs sold per ewe […]