Keep up to date with all our latest news, articles of interest, and case studies from the veterinary world around Hawke’s Bay.
Join Vet Services and special guest speaker, Sue Macky for an informative seminar all about getting excellent dairy heifers. Sue Macky is a veterinarian who has worked worldwide with high performing dairy farmers. Sue is passionate about growing dairy heifers to reach their potential in the herd. She has particular expertise in the management of…
Details
Vet Services is excited to announce the launch of our new podcast channel! Designed for our Production Animal Clients, this platform will provide valuable insights, expert advice and latest updates in veterinary care. Find it on Spotify to tune in and hear discussions on animal health, management practices and much more. https://open.spotify.com/show/3W2brSXcjT6fuPhPJg7SuF We can’t…
Details
Naomi Barrett, Vet Services Dannevirke The transition period for a dairy cow is recognised as the interval extending from three weeks prior to three week after calving. These weeks are the most critically important period of the year for a cow, as her body undergoes significant physiological changes. In the space of only a few…
Details
In New Zealand almost 1.5 million calves are reared every year. Many of those are reared on dairy farms, as replacement heifers, but about 500,000 bull calves are reared for the beef industry, often at specific calf rearing properties, as well as in backyards and on lifestyle blocks. When you decide to try your hand…
Details
There are three stages to calving: Stage 1 (should take around 6 hours): The fluid sac around the calf is visualised and bursts, the cow may have her tail up, be restless and isolate herself, may mother other calves, cervix gradually dilates Stage 2 (should take about 1 hour): Delivery of the calf. Stage 3…
Details
Having a good safe working facility on farm has lots of benefits – to you, your animals, and your service providers. Yards that are fit for purpose are a pleasure to work in and reduce the risk of injury to all users (animal and human alike). The following are some common things that make…
Details
An update from each of the Vet Services Regions. WAIPUKURAU Camille Flack, Production Animal Veterinarian Group Leader We start the year quite differently compared to this time last year. Last year the first cases of Covid-19 were being confirmed in New Zealand and we were starting to get concerned about the dry. This year while…
Details
Monitor drenches used on farm annually by completing a faecal egg count check at 10 days after drenching. Do this for each different drench family that you use during the season. Try to complete as early in the season as possible. Quarantine drench: On arrival at the farm, drench all stock with a…
Details
Growing young stock to their full potential involves many factors. The main focus should be great nutrition with all animal health considerations including trace minerals, vaccinations and parasite control covered. Even with all of that considered, aside from poor nutrition, parasites can often be the most growth limiting factor of young stock on pastoral farms…
Details
Too hot to handle Crops are an integral part of many systems, supplying supplementary feed when pasture covers get tight during autumn and winter. Unfortunately, nothing in life is ever that simple with many of the popular choices for crop being higher risk for nitrate accumulation, placing us between a rock and a hard place…
Details
Farmers should target worm control in cattle at young animals and use oral drenches as long as they can. Article by Sara Sutherland, Vet Services Wairarapa. Sheep and cattle systems have some subtle differences with respect to drenches and drenching. For example, worm species are (mostly) different, the availability of pour-on drenches for cattle, the…
Details
