This years calving

[bosses son]

We’ve all been where you are, bad luck seems to breed...when you’re low and feeling depressed it just seems to continue...it will break though, all the best

Thats very true. As said it will pass.

 

[Dextersg]

Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do to get things right with your animals they do the complete opposite. Bloody frustrating. Been there myself and probably will be again

 

[Beames]

All tests and post mortem results have come back clear so looks like it’s just not my year. Watching the last 9 to calve like a hawk!!!

 

[Stewartry hill]

All tests and post mortem results have come back clear so looks like it’s just not my year. Watching the last 9 to calve like a hawk!!!

A watched pot never boils

 

[Beames]

Just had a text from the vet. Final bloods have come back (I thought we had already had all the results) cows are low in iodine and advised me to supplement them ASAP. What’s the quickest way of getting it into them?

 

[liammogs]

Just had a text from the vet. Final bloods have come back (I thought we had already had all the results) cows are low in iodine and advised me to supplement them ASAP. What’s the quickest way of getting it into them?

Pooring it down there backs is what ive heard?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Just had a text from the vet. Final bloods have come back (I thought we had already had all the results) cows are low in iodine and advised me to supplement them ASAP. What’s the quickest way of getting it into them?

High iodine bolus and down their backs

 

[Beames]

I’ll speak to my local agricultural merchant tomorrow and see what they have in stock. I used the downland bolus on them all with iodine in so I’m surprised they are testing low.

 

[RushesToo]

@Beames two thoughts, the weather has been awful and a mineral that is needed to enable uptake of iodine is missing, or you changed bolus.

Many recommend pour on as a solution - don't overdo it tho' - there wont be many years like this last one so don't over compensate in dose.

 

[davieogrutha]

Run similar numbers to you. 2 year ago I had 5 not in calf and then lost 9 calves. All born alive. The 9 died all for different reasons the few that needed treatment just didn't respond no matter what they were giving. Did not enjoy that spring, not knowing what was awaiting as you walked into the byre. Still feeling the affects off it now. The next year I had a calf on every cow which goes to show how things can change. I was going to suggest bvd but see that your testing. Are you feeding silage or are they out grazing? I had another bad go about 15 year ago and lost 5 calves premature within a week. We had changed from baled silage to pit and the vet thought it could have been listeria and told us to avoid the silo sides and double up the minerals. Always have silage tested now after that. Hope things start going good for ye soon.

 

[farmerclare]

I’ll speak to my local agricultural merchant tomorrow and see what they have in stock. I used the downland bolus on them all with iodine in so I’m surprised they are testing low.

We use the animax tracesure boluses they are supposed to be high iodine. We bolus the cows every six months, used to put iodine down their backs but since bolusing twice a year we don't do this now. This is after we had an iodine deficiency several years ago and lost some calves.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I have a trace element cattle mixture from trace element services, which the cattle get during the winter months twice a week on the silage, and I have spread trace elements on the fields in the past (last time was five years ago, cobalt, copper, selenium and Boron)

 

[Beames]

Run similar numbers to you. 2 year ago I had 5 not in calf and then lost 9 calves. All born alive. The 9 died all for different reasons the few that needed treatment just didn't respond no matter what they were giving. Did not enjoy that spring, not knowing what was awaiting as you walked into the byre. Still feeling the affects off it now. The next year I had a calf on every cow which goes to show how things can change. I was going to suggest bvd but see that your testing. Are you feeding silage or are they out grazing? I had another bad go about 15 year ago and lost 5 calves premature within a week. We had changed from baled silage to pit and the vet thought it could have been listeria and told us to avoid the silo sides and double up the minerals. Always have silage tested now after that. Hope things start going good for ye soon.

They have been out grazing. I’ve brought them back to keep a closer eye on them but will be letting them into a paddock next to the buildings this morning. They have all been given an iodine pour on supplied by another TFF member @Mayo who had what I needed delivered within 24 hours. Great service. All quiet for a minute but there’s a few about a week off calving now. I’m going to alter my bolusing times so that they are covered right through calving instead of needing the second bolus half way through my calving period.

 

[Beames]

I have a trace element cattle mixture from trace element services, which the cattle get during the winter months twice a week on the silage, and I have spread trace elements on the fields in the past (last time was five years ago, cobalt, copper, selenium and Boron)

Is it made to your specific requirements or is it a generic mix?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

They have been out grazing. I’ve brought them back to keep a closer eye on them but will be letting them into a paddock next to the buildings this morning. They have all been given an iodine pour on supplied by another TFF member @Mayo who had what I needed delivered within 24 hours. Great service. All quiet for a minute but there’s a few about a week off calving now. I’m going to alter my bolusing times so that they are covered right through calving instead of needing the second bolus half way through my calving period.

I genuinely believe you just get good years and bad years no matter what you do...my cows get the exact same treatment every year at exactly the same time every year....one year you may lose 5 calves and be on the verge of giving up, the next year every cow has a calf, no one ever goes through life with 100% calving record

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Is it made to your specific requirements or is it a generic mix?

the mix for the fields was after a soil test

 

[rancher]

Even though we fed a high iodine mineral here on the silage all winter, we'd also squirt 10ml tincture of iodine on to the shoulder (where they can lick) once a week fro six weeks before they calved.