December

Week One

Replace the milking liners.

Weigh calves regularly for growth rates.

Reapply tailpaint.

Bull Mating tips:

-Get sufficient bulls for follow-up post AI.
-Recommended ratio is 1 bull to 30 non-pregnant cows at all times.
-Have two teams of bulls, rotated every 2 days, never mix them.
-Ensure bulls have been tested for Tb, BVD & EBL before delivery to farm.
-Have bulls examined for genital soundness.

Week Two

Plan drench programme for calves, use double combination products in young stock until 12 months of age.

Pregnancy test CIDR treated cows to gauge response and retreat those diagnosed anoestrus.

Week Three

P.E.M. is a nervous disease commonly seen in calves over the next few months, due to a vitamin B1 deficiency. Affected animals appear blind, staggery and may convulse. Contact your vet.

Remove & treat lame bulls & ensure adequate bull cover.

Lame bulls are sub-fertile for several weeks.

Week Four

Consider stopping magnesium supplementation over summer months.

Discuss lameness prevention with staff and use of antibiotics with regards to milk withhold residues, specifically over holiday period.

Remove bulls from heifers after 8 - 9 weeks mating period.

Christmas Day