"Rusty" rather than novice but advice on treatment for bought in cattle

[Oscar]

Have not had cattle for 30 years at home although done cattle work for others over the years . As some may recall , whole farm ( ex arable) is now herbal leys and old PP grass is now WD6 , wood pasture, 300 acs total , via a HLS scheme.
Next spring will be buying in cattle ( not decided fully yet on age) either private or from market and would like advice on what treatments/ vaccinations I should be doing on delivery here and also what do people do now re flies through the summer, last time I use to put in a fly tag ( name began with D ? )but not sure if still available or valid .
Ps old PP has had sheep on it yearly but obviously herbal leys are new and clean being ex arable .
Thanks

 

[tinsheet]

Speak to the local vets, get health plan in place!
Re.flies spot on every Six weeks if needed.
Speak to a few neighbours with cattle etc.
Cutcombe, for cattle should be fairly local to you!
Good luck

 

[xmilkr]

BVD vaccination a must if you are buying in cattle.

 

[mo!]

Depends on what you are doing with them, age, and where from. Grazers need different treatment to finishers and you may have information from the seller if buying private.

You'll need a vet visit to be able to purchase POM drugs so why not get them out and take some advice, you don't have to buy their products.

 

[topground]

In your part of the world you should have some of these Sheeted Somerset cattle particularly if you are planning on running a few sucklers.

 

[som farmer]

th

In your part of the world you should have some of these Sheeted Somerset cattle particularly if you are planning on running a few sucklers.View attachment 1138823

they look nice, easily identifiable as yours.

 

[Wesley]

Can you still get a few hours free vet work funded by the government for advice etc or did I dream that? Should cover doing a health plan. Would also cover any assurance schemes if you decided to do any. Then start from there.

 

[flowerpot]

In the SFI we are looking at the herbal leys, the next door farmer has acres of a mix with a lot of clover.
We won't be planting any of that on our own ground where there is any chance at all of the cattle getting into it. We have a couple of outlying fields with no livestock next door, so it will be going there if planted.

Years ago we lost 3 cattle when they got into a field with a lot of clover they weren't used to eating and have been very cautious ever since.

 

[Werzle]

Bravoxin, ibr vaccinate and fluke worm

 

[Oscar]

Thanks for the replies .
It's all a bit in the air at the moment re cattle types . Not planning on suckler herd as I have other buisness sidelined to run along side so going for the KISS principle. May investigate these native breed , field to plate finishing schemes . Had mixed messages from people, some say it's great, others can t get out fast enough !?
Big problem which I am trying hard to change is Defra s insistence of no grazing from 1 st October to 1 st January . This farm tends to dry out in summer but then bounces back in autumn with grass but having to house cattle on the first October is a stupid/ expensive idea. I have asked for an amendment to 1st December - 1 st March non grazing but have to wait and see . I have not got enough WD6 or PP to keep all cattle out longer but could keep some out on that .

 

[Formatted]

Big problem which I am trying hard to change is Defra s insistence of no grazing from 1 st October to 1 st January .

Buy 12 month old dairy x stores in January, sell them with plenty of flesh off grass in September, best time as everyone has plenty of forage and is feeling like summer will go on forever. I doubt anyone on the schemes will want to send you cattle if you aren't wintering them.

 

[Oscar]

I can house cattle . Will see if I can get Defra to amend grazing dates .
Oh yes , answering above comments , I will be talking to vet but wanted to go to the meeting with some ideas of my own as I m sure SOME vets would say they need heaps of treatments/ vaccinations but obviously everyone comes at a cost.
Thanks for replies everyone.

 

[mo!]

I can house cattle . Will see if I can get Defra to amend grazing dates .
Oh yes , answering above comments , I will be talking to vet but wanted to go to the meeting with some ideas of my own as I m sure SOME vets would say they need heaps of treatments/ vaccinations but obviously everyone comes at a cost.
Thanks for replies everyone.

If that is a concern then change vets.

 

[exmoorromney]

If that is a concern then change vets.

Not really that easy around here!

 

[Oscar]

Next large animal vets are 30 odd miles away !

 

[tinsheet]

Next large animal vets are 30 odd miles away !

Dulverton vets!
Very much old school vets, in a good way, not out for every penny.

 

[sidjon]

Dulverton vets!
Very much old school vets, in a good way, not out for every penny.

I don't know about that, we've moved from them ( happy with service) to mount at Wiveliscombe, works out cheaper for us, cause they charge per the hour, so I'm not subsidising the hobby lots, without a crush

 

[tinsheet]

I don't know about that, we've moved from them ( happy with service) to mount at Wiveliscombe, works out cheaper for us, cause they charge per the hour, so I'm not subsidising the hobby lots, without a crush

sad to hear!

 

[sidjon]

sad to hear!

Did like using them, but them not tb testing was the final nail really, after Mark left who use to lodge with us, felt the dairy knowledge was gone as well. I know lots have stuck with them and been happy, like yourself.

 

[SwanFarm]

I don't know about that, we've moved from them ( happy with service) to mount at Wiveliscombe, works out cheaper for us, cause they charge per the hour, so I'm not subsidising the hobby lots, without a crush

How do the hobbyists get signed off without a crush? Surely vet from the department has to say they've inspected it (and seen the receipt so they know you've not borrowed a neighbours) before giving you a herd number? That's what we have in Northern Ireland. Can't get a cattle number without a crush.