Care of Livestock during December

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 99, Issue 5, 16 November 1959, Page 426

Care of Livestock during December

Contributed by the Animal Research Division

DAIRY COW NUTRITION

THE year’s production can be materially affected by feed conditions during summer. Cows fed poorly now not only produce less milk during summer, but will dry off

earlier in autumn. Dairy statistics show that long lactation is very important, so the feeding of silage or other supplementary milk-producing fodders should be

started as soon as pasture begins to dry off. This should not be left until milk production shows a material fall.

CARE OF EWES AND FAT LAMBS

As each lot of lambs is sold their mothers and any dry ewes that may . remain in the flock should be drafted off. If feed is short and the ewes , have very little milk, ■ ''< it usually pays to wean all the

lambs, which can then be given the best grazing available. The ewes

should be shorn and those which are to be retained should be placed on short pasture with ample water until flushing is started three weeks before tupping. This will help to reduce their condition and will result in a better lambing percentage in the following season.

SHEARING

If ewes with lambs are to be shorn, every effort must be made to reduce the time during which lambs are away ' from the ewes, as it is easy to dry ewes

off at this time of the year. They should be brought to the shed in small mobs and

should be dagged before reaching the board.

FOOT ROT CAN BE ERADICATED

This is the season in which plans for the eradication

of foot rot must be made and farmers should follow the recommendations in Bulletin No. 325, “Foot Rot in Sheep Can be

Eradicated”.

PIG PRODUCTION

Farrowed sows should receive a ration of 4 gallons of milk plus 2/3 gallon per pig suckled. Newly weaned pigs should not be overfed; 1J to 2 gallons per day in three

feeds .is : adequate for the first 14 days. The ration cap then be slowly raised to 24 gallons at the end of the first . month, and after the first fortnight the number

of feeds may be reduced to two per day.

Replacement breeding stock should be. selected from the bacon pens. Those chosen should be the fastest grow-? ing sows with good strong feet and at least 12 well placed teats. .

COWS RETURNING TO THE BULL

If cows are returning to service, the mating records should be examined to see if any particular bull is to blame. If so, a veterinarian or Livestock Instructor should collect a semen sample for exam-

ination. Care is necessary when a replacement bull is bought, and

if possible, it should be a young bull that has not been used previously. A bull should never be bought in the saleyard unless his full history is known. Washing out cows seldom helps and may cause trouble if irritant fluids such as kerosene are used. It pays to consult a veterinarian as soon as the cows are noticed returning to service in unusual numbers; he cannot be expected to diagnose the trouble months later.

leptospirosis IN CATTLE

Infection with Leptospira pomona can cause abortion in cattle and redwater in calves. Both of these diseases may be prevented by vaccination of the pregnant cow. Cows vaccinated early in pregnancy

and again about two to four weeks before calving may be protected

against this particular type of abortion and at the same time protection may be given to the calf against redwater through the colostrum. A veterinary surgeon should be consulted to establish a diagnosis of leptospirosis . ■ and-, to undertake control measures.