Articles

Keep up to date with all our latest news, articles of interest, and case studies from the veterinary world around Hawke’s Bay.

Grass tetany in cattle (Grass Staggers)

We are hearing of lots of beef cows across Hawkes Bay dropping dead around calving this spring. That got your attention – and it is true!!! This spring is the perfect picture for cows getting grass staggers and we have confirmed this with bloods pre calving in many herds. Cold and wet season, short green…

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Transition management of the dairy cow

Naomi Barrett, Vet Services Dannevirke  The transition period for a dairy cow is recognised as the interval extending from three weeks prior to three week after calving. These weeks are the most critically important period of the year for a cow, as her body undergoes significant physiological changes. In the space of only a few…

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Looking after your working dogs in winter

Working dogs are an asset to any farmer and are becoming an increasingly large investment. The lifetime value of a useful working dog is estimated to be $40,000 with dogs fulfilling roles other staff cannot replace. With this in mind, as the temperature drops and we make sure we have enough firewood and warm socks…

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B+LNZ Wormwise Workshops

   B+LNZ Wormwise Workshops – Hawkes Bay 2022 Sheep and Cattle Parasite resistance is the number one animal health issue facing farms across New Zealand. B+LNZ Wormwise Workshops provide the latest information and research on internal parasite control and outline how an integrated pest management system can help farm sheep and beef cattle into the…

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Make Drenching Count

Farmers should target worm control in cattle at young animals and use oral drenches as long as they can. Article by Sara Sutherland, Vet Services Wairarapa. Sheep and cattle systems have some subtle differences with respect to drenches and drenching. For example, worm species are (mostly) different, the availability of pour-on drenches for cattle, the…

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World Veterinary Day – 29 April 2022

Join us in celebrating our incredible team and their mahi for our community and animals. Saturday 30 April is World Veterinary Day 2022 – a special day created by the World Veterinary Association to celebrate the veterinary profession and to promote the amazing work that veterinarians do. To our superhero veterinarians – thank you! You…

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black cow on green grass field during daytime

Bulls – Keep your eyes peeled!

With our scanning equipment all but back on the shelf for another season we’ve had a little time recently to reflect on another year of cattle pregnancy results and follow up on some of the more disappointing outcomes. Whilst there are potentially many factors involved in a poor scanning result, bull failure is undeniably one…

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