We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.William and Andrew Cowx: A cast cow injures my leg at market
WE had our first real frost last week. The weather has got a wintry feel, but the land is still reasonably dry and most of the cattle are still outside.
It would be good if they could stay out until near the end of the month. We have given all the calves a second pneumonia injection, so hopefully there will be no problems when they come inside.
The good spell of weather in mid-September allowed us, and many more people, to get all the grass and corn gathered in, so we should have enough silage to last all winter.
The nutritionist has been and formulated the rations for the coming winter and we have bought in the concentrates needed. We found by using the diet feeder and mixing straw into the rations last year, we were better able to control the condition of the cows – particularly at calving.
Andrew has just had a few days holiday before the stock come inside as he does all the mixing and feeding throughout the winter - our buildings are not ideal for my tractor driving skills.
Looking very fit
The ewes are looking very fit and have been tailed, dosed for fluke and worm, given a mineral drench and put on to good pasture ready to let the tups off on October 20. Ewe lambs will be put to the tup rather later.
I sometimes wonder about flushing ewes when lambing comes round and we have far too many triplets. Ideally they should all have twins.
We only have 25 lambs left to go to market – this week’s trade was good, averaging 160p/kg. So looking back, as we begin another breeding year with our sheep, though missing out on the high prices at the beginning of the year, returns have been good and hopefully will be repeated again next year.
The 15 heifers we brought inside for calving have now all calved with reasonable success – 12 live calves and three dead. One calf was born dead, one was breach delivery and the third was my fault for not looking after it properly.
While unloading a cast cow at market last week, I got quite a shock when it charged at me, injuring my leg – thanks to all those who came to my assistance.
It did redeem itself by making 152.5p/kg, but it showed you cannot be too careful when handling stock.
Next time I write, I hope all cattle will be settled in their winter quarters and I can report on a successful bull sale at Carlisle.