September

Week One

Discuss cow worm control.

Yearling heifers should receive a pour-on drench.

Check cow teat health. More than 1 cow in 15 with teat lesions is indicative of a problem with the milking plant or liners.

Induce second induction mob.

Week Two

Metricheck cows – batches / herd.

Start sourcing bulls for mating. Ensure they are tested and vaccinated for BVD / EBL.

Week Three

Clostridial vaccinate calves (Covexin 10 or Multine 5in1).

Tailpaint 35 days pre-mating -late calving cows to get separate colours (ie do all calved cows blue and those still to calve red).

Inject herd with vitamin B12.

Week Four

Liver biopsy for trace element profile for dairy cows at mating.

Bulk Milk Test for BVD.

BVD boost cows / heifers 1 month before mating.

Continue with routine mineral supplementation.

Clinical mastitis:

-Look for swollen quarters, abnormal foremilk & clots on the filter.
-Sanitise teat ends with meths before treating.
-Use the full course of antibiotics, recording details.
-Clearly mark all treated cows & discard milk from all quarters.
-Run in a separate mob & milk at the end.
-Ensure mastitis cows are milked twice daily.