Deer / sheep DecemBER 2014 KazakHstan Sheep scan results Vaccinating lambs Seasons Greetings to All Have a safe and Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year Photos by Richard Hilson www.vshb.co.nz
Reflections of kazakhstan Ian Walker I was recently privileged to travel to the Maral Kongress in Kazakhstan along with 14 other Kiwis. This forum is an adaption from the International Deer Farmers conference which was held in China 4 years ago. The Maral Kongress was held in Oskemen, a city of about 300,000 people in the north east of Kazakhstan. The conference itself was held in a very elaborately prepared tent or Yurt in one of the City parks, and attended by mainly Russians and Kazaks, a Swede and a Canadian. Entry visas did not seem to be available to the Koreans or Chinese! The Kiwis were well received by the locals, and accorded very generous hospitality. There were 4 papers at the conference presented by Kiwis including myself, the success of which related mainly to the quality pictures which we all used! The conference was a grand ceremony involving many local businessmen and government dignitaries, flag raising, medal and certificate awards, formal dinners and general back -slapping. All papers at the conference were translated to English in various forms, many of which were interesting to us but generally of little value to our farming systems. The highlight of the trip to me was a tour to a rural area after the conference to visit deer farms. This was to the Altay region of Kazakhstan in an area of more mountainous country, and reasonably close to the borders of Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan. This part of the trip gave me a different perspective of the significance of deer farming in that region. The deer farms are all about providing health clinics for the people. According to the custom, deer are a special and reveered species, with some special qualities. Because the deer are farmed very extensively in the mountainous area, they have a unique ability to capture the good qualities of the clean air at altitude, the fresh water from the streams, and the minerals from the mountainous plant species which the deer selectively graze. These qualities are all captured in the blood and velvet antler of the stag which are growing during the spring period. This is sometimes referred to as the spirit of the stag. People who can afford it, then travel to these rural areas or health camps, and undergo a series of treatments believed to transfer the energy and vitality captured by the stag, into the patients. This is done using steam saunas, hot water baths innoculated with deer blood & by products, oral potions containing deer products, and then episodes of body massage. This is then followed by a period of rest for at least 2 hours. This whole process can be repeated daily for up to a week, which rejuvenates the individuals to help them cope with the stresses and strains of working life!!!! Understanding this whole process gives a new dimension to my thoughts around velvet production! My overall reflection is that NZ deer farming would be 60 to 80 years ahead of what we saw in Kazakhstan. stihl chainsaw WINNERS SEPTEMBER Napier: Kerry & Marie Worsnop - Naumai Farm Trust Hastings: John Kommeren - Tirohia Partnership Waipukurau: Scott & Jackie Hunter - Papakihau Station Ltd Dannevirke: Simon Franklin Crackling Summer Deal Buy a 21L Vetdectin Gun Pack Plain or Selenised And receive a 2kg Canterbury Freedom Free Range Rolled Pork HURRY Promotion packs available only while stock lasts
Sheep Scan Results Sheep scanning results have been kept on our database now for nearly 20 years. This has become a useful collection of data highlighting seasonal trends, management impacts, and individual farm data, and providing valuable information from which we can make recommendations to optimise reproductive performance. The following table is a summary of scan data for MA ewes, two tooth ewes and hoggets over the last 12 years. This highlights the variation that we get between seasons, and you can clearly see the seasons that have been affected by dry conditions. Ian Walker Effect of Campy vaccine on Scan %age MA Ewes 2T Ewes Hgts No No No Campy Campy Campy Campy Campy Campy Vax Vax Vax Vax Vax Vax 2014 166.5% 154.7% 154.5% 137.8% 100.4% 80.7% 2013 153.0% 144.3% 144.3% 132.7% 89.9% 80.6% 2012 163.0% 153.2% 155.2% 148.0% 99.3% 79.9% 2011 156.2% 143.2% 141.8% 135.8% 80.5% 58.6% 180 160 14- Effect of toxo vaccine on Scan %age MA Ewes 2T Ewes Hgts No No No Toxo Toxo Toxo Toxo Toxo Toxo Vax Vax Vax Vax Vax Vax 2014 165% 157% 153% 139% 104% 74% 2013 153% 140% 144% 130% 90% 78% 2012 164% 150% 155% 146% 99% 77% 2011 156% 143% 142% 134% 78% 63% Many farmers have now weaned their ewes, and have begun to plan ahead for 2015 mating. This is a critical time to get ewes up to weight and a suitable condition score, especially while there is still reasonable feed quality available. The scan data also shows the impact of both Toxoplasmosis and Campylobacter diseases on ewe scanning results. These two diseases are quite prevalent in the Hawke s Bay area with serological evidence indicating that nearly 90% of properties have been exposed to either of these diseases. The following two tables clearly indicate the effect that protection of the flock with both these vaccines can have on the scan percentage. These tables indicate that it is the younger sheep that need the vaccine protection the most. The hoggets consistently have the biggest difference in scanning between vaccinated and non vaccinated, but that effect persists into the older ewes as well. It is this data plus the clinical experience of abortions caused by these two diseases that make us firmly recommend vaccination of your ewe breeding flock with Toxovax or Campylovax. Weaning time ewe management simon Marshall Weaning is a busy time with lots of tasks to complete in a short space of time. Each farm will carry out different tasks on either lambs and/or ewes at weaning time. This article will outline some important jobs involving the ewes that may get forgotten about. Weaning animal health treatments Oral combination parasite drench for tail enders Fly prevention if not being shorn, or recently shorn watch voluntary wool withholding Weaning husbandry Dealing with lame ewes Foot trimming Foot bathing Zinc Sulphate 10% remember 2 minute contact Antibiotics for very lame ones Mouthing to identify broken mouth culls and one-year ewes Palpation of udders to identify culls if abscessed, mastitis etc Other sick ewes or random issues for culls Monitoring procedures Faecal egg counts routine and post long acting drench Body condition scoring Body weights Tail end identification using all of the above Setting up for tupping Priority feeding of tail end to ensure BCS 3 at tupping Planning of vaccinations prior to ram introduction for hoggets and two-tooths Ensuring no ram contact if using teasers If you need any other pointers make sure you give one of the vets a call.
Vaccinating lambs when to, what with Rich hilson Vaccination of lambs against clostridial disease is common practice and in general is done right, at the right time and for the right reason. There are some things worth considering when embarking on a vaccination programme though. Do it properly. It should go without saying but use clean gear and new needles, make sure it goes under the skin in the neck and use a full dose. Keep an eye on your kill sheets later in the season for injection site lesions - these can basically only be from injections and they point to hygiene and technique issues for at least one staff member. We get asked many times every year about vaccinating wet sheep and I would like to think that the answer is always the same- simply, don t. And use a full dose, or at least as near as possible. We know that the animals are often little but their immune systems operate the same as a big sheep and they need a certain amount of antigen to mount a decent vaccine response. Don t cut corners and be very careful to check the recommended dose before starting as while most vaccines are 2ml products, some have 1ml or 2.5ml doses. The common questions are around the clostridial vaccine programmes for trade lambs and for replacement ewe hoggets. The two big ones we all worry about are tetanus and pulpy kidney, both of which are very good at killing perfectly good lambs. Bearing in mind the move to specialised finishing crops such as pasja, lucerne and plantain, the risk of blood poisoning is definitely increased- there is no money in big lambs if they never make the truck. The key ingredients to a decent cover from a vaccination programme are two shots at least four weeks apart. Note that the interval shouldn t be less as animals do not mount a strong and lasting response when done too soon- but you can extend the interval, and this is where the different options may be exercised. Really short term trade lambs are often not even on the farm long enough to complete a programme- four weeks apart then a week to work fully, by which time you may well be killing them anyway. A single shot is largely a waste of time and money. Not much point there unless there is high risk or a history of losses. Longer term lambs are more often vaccinated and obviously a good time for a sensitiser is at their first (or quarantine) drench with a booster shot at the very next drench. A long term option we have suggested for replacement ewe lambs is to get the first (sensitiser) shot done as early as possible, which is usually at weaning or the next yarding. Then you can wait until either risk increases with feeding of rocket-fuel crops or when autumn rain creates a risk with a rich diet change- give the booster then. This programme finds less favour now as there are so many farmers lambing hoggets now and best practice tends to cover even the most remotely avoidable loss. However, it does mean that if no booster is given to replacements in summer or autumn, their booster can actually wait until pre-lambing when best practice would definitely suggest they get vaccinated. However it is worth noting that the value of some very high performing flocks means that many farmers choose to take even less risk and ensure ewe lambs are vaccinated twice in early summer, basically removing risk right through until the pre-lamb shot. It isn t necessarily an easy topic to get your head around and it is even further complicated by the correct use of other vaccines within a sheep breeding programme, especially those against salmonella, campylobacter and toxoplasmosis. We frequently find opportunity when discussing vaccine programmes with farmers to actually improve efficiency (more than one job at once) or efficacy (better use and timing of the vaccines) and we are very keen to help get these right. If you would simply like to review your programmes then please give us a call and we can work through the requirements of your sheep system with you and your staff. Vet services hawke s bay HOLIDAY HOURS For emergencies, please note we have a duty vet available at all times Date Day Napier Hastings Waipukurau Dannevirke 24-Dec Wed 8-5pm 8-5pm 8-5.30pm 8-5pm 25-Dec Thu Closed Closed Closed Closed 26-Dec Fri Closed Closed Closed Closed 27-Dec Sat Closed 9-3pm 9-12pm Closed 28-Dec Sun Closed 9-3pm 10-12pm Closed 29-Dec Mon 8-5.30pm 8-6pm 8-5.30pm 8-5pm 30-Dec Tues 8-5.30pm 8-6pm 8-5.30pm 8-5pm 31-Dec Wed 8-5.00pm 8-5pm 8-5.30pm 8-5pm 1-Jan Thu Closed Closed Closed Closed 2-Jan Fri Closed Closed Closed Closed 3-Jan Sat Closed 9-3pm 9-12pm 9-12pm
Seasonal Update Hastings/Napier Things have dried up in the Hastings area over the past few weeks. The winds have been exceptional and are accelerating this process. The new season lamb kill is well under way with carcass weights over 1 kg lower than last year. Pasture covers are dropping quickly so there has been a lot of early weaning of lambs to avoid ewe / lamb competition. Those that got crops in early are now reaping the benefits of them and those that were late in are struggling to get good growth. A good dose of rain will set these crops alight and provide much needed feed into the Summer. Waipukurau What a lot of wind there s been through November and to exacerbate problems there has not been a lot of warmth in some of those winds. There have been one or two horror stories of paddocks being blown away and sadly one or two of these had only recently been planted out. The CHB A&P show certainly bore the brunt of the weather with displays being dismantled early and debris flying in all directions! Quite a few lambs are beginning to be shipped off farm along with older ewes and after a period of significant bloat risk, beef Dannevirke November has seen some very changeable weather including gale force winds, very cold spells, electrical storms, hail, snow and some rain. This has made for some very challenging pasture management and hold ups in animal husbandry procedures. No one major animal health issue has stood out over this period, so steady as she goes for now. Our dog and ram runs will be starting up soon. This is a great time to catch up about any issues that are on your mind and mark matthews Theilleria is alive and well all over the Hastings district in all classes of cattle. We are seeing dairy cows and new season beef calves that are requiring blood transfusions. There have been deaths associated with this disease on these farms as well. Keep a close watch of all cattle for any signs of sluggishness and seek veterinary advice if unsure. The process croppers are flat out irrigating as you would expect. The first pea crops are flowering and should be due for harvest in early December. Orchardists have noted that their fruit trees are about 10 14 days behind their usual flowering etc. Despite this new season nectarines are now available. Harry Whiteside animals will hopefully be tanking on. Anecdotally milk production is dropping as grass is maturing faster than it can be consumed and the high winds hamper silage production. Most of the AI rounds have been completed and the bulls are hard at work on most properties. The rams are also a major consideration at this time of the year and we are currently on the go with ram palpation and preparing teasers. The only thing that remains is to wish you all a merry Christmas and the very best for the forthcoming year. Simon Marshall obviously protect the dog team and ensure that the rams are ready to go for autumn. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your custom for another year and to wish you all the best for a great festive season. Hopefully the Black Caps can find some of the form from earlier in the year and make for some exciting viewing over the summer. Be safe on the roads, enjoy time with family and we will see you all next year, or sooner! New staff Ian Leadbetter Ian has recently joined our companion animal team from another local Hawkes Bay Veterinary team. Ian is vastly experienced with close to 30 years as a practicing veterinarian under his belt having previously worked in mixed practice as well as companion animal practices. CAMILLE FLACK Camille Flack has also recently started with us having previously worked in North Canterbury. She is a Massey Graduate and worked in a similar practice to ours in Bulls. Camille s main interests are in the sheep and beef sectors. Rachel Griffiths Rachel works in our companion animal clinic having graduated from Massey in 2012. With particular interest in all things small animal you may hear her singing to the animals an accomplished stage actor Rachel recently was in the Phantom of the Opera and Mamma Mia. TOM WALLBANK Tom Wallbank has recently arrived from the UK having spent the last three years working in a mixed practice based at Dartmoor in the South West of England. He is looking forward to contributing to the large animal side of our practice having grown up on a sheep farm in Mid-Wales. Tom is a keen mountain climber so he should easily manage the most challenging set of yards he has to work in!
NAPIER 210 Taradale Road 06 843 5308 HASTINGS 801W Heretaunga Street 06 876 7001 DANNEVIRKE 193-195 High Street 06 374 7021 WAIPUKURAU 43 Takapau Road 06 858 9060 www.vshb.co.nz