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    Heifer Mammary Development

    It is important to remember that the foundations of udder development are completed within the first 15 months of life. Mammary growth and development is a component of the reproductive process and is affected by hormonal changes that occur as the animal develops. The basic structures of the mammary gland…

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    Heifer Holstein Size Targets

    The profit-making potential of the modern cow depends on her ability to combine production and type. Functional type enables a cow to produce over a long lifetime. (Holstein Canada) Relative Emphasis for Cows Body weight alone should not be a measure for developmental traits of heifers. Wither height is also…

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    Heifer Holstein Growth Targets

    We most often concentrate on milking cows to meet financial and milk supply commitments and to let the herd replacements take a back seat. Replacement heifers are tomorrow’s profit earners and deserve as much detailed attention as the milking herd. Managing the growth of replacement heifers to achieve sufficient body…

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    Calf Post Weaning Environment

    Grouping After weaning, calves should be housed in equal sized / aged groups, ideally one week after milk feeding has ceased. This avoids two major changes in routine at one time. Group calves according to size. Weaning from a machine feeding system is normally reached earlier (as early as week…

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    Clean & Sterilized Feeding Utensils

    Newborns have very naïve immune systems. Severe infections can be introduced and spread by bacterial contamination on esophageal feeders, buckets, nipples and bottles. Review the cleaning and sanitation procedures on your facility to be sure that all the utensils have been properly cleaned and maintained. Clean feeding utensils are critical…

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    Infectious Disease Management

    Every animal producer needs a disease monitoring and management program. These programs should be monitored with the practicing vet and might consider: Which diseases are present, Which ones can be minimized or prevented, How infections ones are identified and treated, What safeguards are in place to minimize disease spread Minimize…

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    Lamb Management

    Profitability in sheep farming is largely dependant on the number of lambs weaned per ewe per year (aim should be at least two). High prolific breeds (e.g. Finn, Romanov) used in the breeding program can achieve and surpass this. Lamb survival is a result of good ewe management before and…

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    Ewe Nutrition & Its Effect on Lamb Growth

    In the pre-lambing season it is worthwhile remembering the nutrition requirements of the ewe and the impact it can have on lamb viability and growth. Ewe nutrition needs increase significantly and accelerate rapidly, in the 4-6 weeks before lambing.  This is to support the rapidly growing fetus and encourage proper…

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    Lambing Checklist

    Prepare Buildings – Ensure barns have good ventilation, are dry, no drafts, and a strict cleaning schedule as been prepared. Prepare supplies well ahead of lambing. For example- lambing equipment, thermometer, warming box, frozen colostrum etc. Select lambs for artificial rearing, e.g. the weaker, less aggressive lambs from ewes with…

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    Veal Calf Raising Suggestions

    Water Supply Before starting calves, take a water sample to your local lab and have it checked for bacteria, nitrates, iron sodium and ph. Water left in a storage tank between calf crops can become a prim source for bacteria that cause scouring. This is a prime place for bacteria…

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    Lamb Survival

    Profitability in sheep farming is largely dependant on the number of lambs weaned per ewe each year. Typically, the lambs weaned for each ewe exposed to a ram should be at least 2 or more. Lamb survival is a result of good ewe management before and during lambing and attention…

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