Newford Farm Calving Season
Michael Fagan discusses the recent calving activity at Newford Farm.
Calving activity has been in full swing over the last number of weeks on Newford Farm with 68% of the Newford herd having calved within the first 5 weeks (3rd March) with the first cow calving on the 29th of January. 66 cows out of 91 in-calf animals have calved up to 6th March. The later calving cows have received their Rotavec Corona vaccination, this protects the calf from diarrhoea caused by rotavirus, coronavirus and E coli once the calf gets enough colostrum at birth.
The average weight of all calves born to-date is 45 kg
The average calving score is 52
The first of the calves have received their RSV Pi3 vaccination this protects the calves from virus pneumonia.This is a live vaccination, given intranasally, 2ml is sprayed up the calf’s nostril, using an intranasal applicator, in the form of a spray.
Early born calves have also received their clostridial vaccination (Covexin 10) 2ml subcutaneous which includes the prevention of Black Leg. All calves are treated for coccidiosis (Chanox) 3ml per 10 kg liveweight.
Within the last 10 days the calved cows body condition was dropping and with the continuous wet weather and inability to get the cows out to grass quickly, it was decided as a precaution to give the calved cows 1 ½ kg per head of meal supplement.
