Written by Dr T.B. Barragry PhD MSc, MVB, MRCVS, Vet Pharmacologist. There is a growing need for a new, palatable, evidence based and effective feed additive to maximize production returns in cattle and sheep at times of stress, while also improving health, bloom, and appearance. This is all the more so with recent prohibitions on … Read more
Written by Dr T.B Barragry PhD, MSc, MVM, MRCVS, Dip ECVPT. Lameness in sheep is a major welfare concern and causes very significant financial and production losses. Over 80% of flocks are affected by lameness, and within the flock the incidence is believed to run at 15%-20%. If a lamb is lame, it will take … Read more
Written by Dr T.B Barragry PhD,MSc,MVB,MRCVS Physiologically, lambs are precision instruments and can be prone to a great number of health and productivity problems while on pasture. Adequacy of nutrient intake by the young lamb can be hit and miss in many cases, depending on weather conditions, soil type, parasitism, pasture quality and herbage type. … Read more
Written by Dr TB Barragry PhD MSc MVB MRCVS ALMOST 50% OF TOTAL LAMB LOSSES occur in the first 48 hours of life. Newborn lambs have virtually no immunity and a key organ in developing this immunity is the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome consists of a population of billions of commensal organisms (good bugs) … Read more
85% of lesions improved and healed in a randomised controlled trial with one application! BASED IN IRELAND, Provita Animal Health developed Hoofsure Konquest Hoof Gel in conjunction with Queens University Belfast and Dr Roger Blowey, Specialist in Cattle (dairy). Konquest Hoof Gel is a proprietary concentrated blend of organic acids and essential oils. It is … Read more
Written by Dr T.B Barragry In the pregnant ewe, 75% of foetal growth occurs in the final 6-7 weeks before lambing. This rapid growth of the foetus increases the ewe’s need for nutrients, and hence daily requirements can no longer be met by a forage-based diet alone. Ewes must be correctly fed in late pregnancy … Read more
Written by Dr T.B Barragry (1) Hypothermia and Hypoglycaemia in Young Lambs Starvation, hypothermia, and hypoglycaemia are amongst the highest causes of mortality in newborn lambs. From birth to 6 hours of age – the wet newborn lamb loses heat very rapidly and can quickly become hypothermic. This is more likely to occur in cold, … Read more
Vitamin A Deficiency Vitamin A is one of the most overlooked and underestimated vitamins for cattle and sheep, especially in the autumn/winter period, and at calving/lambing. Vitamin A is important for the function of the immune system, the health of epithelial tissues, mucous membranes, the eye, and the central nervous system. It is also important … Read more
The good news for the dairy farming industry is that the Agricultural Price Index indicates that input cost inflation has eased. However, input costs remain historically high and with falling milk prices profit margins are being squeezed. The continuing uncertainty about changes to agricultural subsidy schemes is leading producers to review their future, and the … Read more
Deficiencies on Pasture Trace element and vitamin deficiencies can adversely affect performance, fertility and profitability in sheep and cattle. The four most important trace elements are cobalt, copper selenium and iodine. Trace element deficiencies can be inherent (low concentrations in soil) or induced (high concentrations of inhibitors. The resultant conditions may be expressed either in … Read more