Farm Health

Milk-based replacers better

Recently published research suggests that farmers should avoid feeding milk replacers with vegetable proteins and fats to lambs in their early life.

Benefits of long-acting B12 injections

Central Southland vet Andrew Roe reviews use of the long-acting vitamin B12 injection products, SMARTShot B12 and SMARTShot B12 plus SE, in the management of vitamin B12/cobalt deficiency with and without selenium deficiency in ewes and lambs.*

Tailing - get it right

With docking - or tailing - underway in many areas, Beef+Lamb New Zealand is reminding farmers about the new tail length requirements.

Methane inhibitor shows results

A feed additive that reduces methane emissions in ruminants is poised for commercial launch in Australia - making it one of the first global markets to access the product.

Genomic sheep selection tool gets an upgrade

A genomic selection tool that is helping New Zealand sheep farmers lift animal performance is getting a revamp.

What to do?

As lambing and calving get underway, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is reminding farmers to consider their carcase disposal options this spring.

Triple active oral drench for deer

A triple active oral drench for deer is now available.

Future-proofing NZ's sheep

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics' Low Input Sheep Progeny Trial is identifying the genetics that will future-proof this country's sheep industry.

Trials look at the rattling of fewer dags

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics' Low Input Sheep Progeny Trial is identifying the genetics that will futureproof this country's sheep industry. In part one of this two-part series, we take a look at how the trial is set up and the focus on dags.

Promising early results for facial eczema test

Early results from a pilot study investigating the potential for a laboratory test to determine facial eczema (FE) tolerance are positive, paving the way for more detailed investigation.

Johne's milk test in the offing

A test to detect Johne's Disease and pregnancy from a single milk sample in cattle is being developed.

Managing stressed stock in the aftermath of an adverse event

Livestock can be stressed in many situations - adverse events being no exception.

Drenching - doing it right

Effective and accurate drenching is important for animal health and productivity. It needs strategic decision making and should be part of a parasite management plan.

Shedding Wiltshire's anti wool appeal

Of all the projects Massey University's School of Agriculture has been involved in over the years, it's never had such interest as it has in its Wiltshire breeding programme.

Trial for low methane sheep

Artificial breeding will play a role in accelerating the transition of a proportion of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) commercial ewe flock to a low methane emitting flock.

Change to deal with drench resistance

An emerging drench resistance issue has been identified on Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Future Farm Lanercost in North Canterbury and a holistic plan is being put in place to protect future livestock productivity.

Urgent need for facial eczema research funding

Farmers rate facial eczema (FE) in their top three animal health concerns, yet there is currently no new research being undertaken to combat the problem.

Massey's Wiltshires on show

The interest in the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep has prompted Massey University to run a special field day at their Riverside farm near Masterton on 1 June.

New rules for on-farm procedures

New animal welfare regulations come into effect on 9 May. These will affect many common procedures carried out on farms, such as tall docking and treatment of bearings.

Plan for hogget breeding

Bioeconomic modelling, published by Massey University PhD student Lydia Farrell in 2020 and more recent work by the team, has shown that adding hogget breeding to a North Island hill country property would increase cash operating surplus.