By Clive Dalton Poems and songsBellingham Show was such an important annual event, not only up the North Tyne valley but and on both sides of the Border, and especially in industrial Tyneside where ‘toon folk’ could have a day out by train in the fresh air of rural Northumberland. It wasn’t surprising then that … Read more
Every month I create a newsletter of all the stories that have been added or updated with Northumberland in the keywords – lots of history, humour, photos, poetry and prose with contributions from a wide variety of canny lads from all over the world. Here’s your chance to download them to keep handy for a … Read more
An extract from the book – Daft Laddies. Farming Tales of North Tyne and Rede 50 years on (2003) By Clive Dalton and Donald Clegg. If you would like a copy, contact donaldclegg@btopenworld.com Photo: An old daft laddie (Clive Dalton) deftly demonstrating the ‘hack’ method 50 years on. The scythe generally struck terror into a … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, disease, animal health, worms, internal parasites, resilience, resistance By Dr Clive Dalton Resilience & resistance There are three parts to the story. You can have: 1. Resilient animals 2. Resistant animals (host resistance) 3. Resistant worms Changing from resilience to resistanceThere’s a lot of conjecture about this. Here’s some points you hear … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, animal health, worms, internal parasites, drenching, drench resistance By Dr Clive Dalton Drench resistance Four types of resistanceFour types of resistant worms have been identified. This may seem a bit academic but it could be useful to appreciate the situation on your farm. It’s not a simple picture as there is: Key … Read more
Daft Laddies – Is’t fit? Daft Laddies. Farming Tales of North Tyne and Rede 50 years on.By Clive Dalton and Donald Clegg An extract from the book – Daft Laddies. Farming Tales of North Tyne and Rede 50 years on (2003) By Clive Dalton & Donald Clegg. If you would like a copy, contact donaldclegg@btopenworld.com … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, health, disease, worms, internal parasites, testing methods By Dr Clive Dalton Faecal Egg Count (FEC) Limitations of a FEC Sampling tips FEC for genetic selection programmes What ‘trigger levels’ should be used? Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT)This is used to test for drench resistance. It’s a ‘drench check’ where you first … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, disease, animal health, worms, internal parasites, By Dr Clive Dalton Answer this question – it’s compulsory!Are the worms in your sheep resistant to the chemicals in drenches currently being used? Key point 1: Key point 2: Fill in this form to assess where you are at, and which will help you have … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, worms, internal parasites, health, definitions, genus & species, life cycles, signs of wormy sheep, effects of worms on sheep By Dr Clive DaltonWhat are ‘worms’?‘Worms’ is a general term used for internal parasites that affect sheep. Plenty of other terms are used such as: Worms in New Zealand Can you see them? … Read more
An extract from the book – Daft Laddies. Farming Tales of North Tyne and Rede 50 years on (2003) By Clive Dalton and Donald Clegg. If you would like a copy, contact donaldclegg@btopenworld.com The easiest way for a Daft Laddie on a North Tyne or Rede farm to get his “lugschowed” was to commit the … Read more
This blog series is drawn from the successful plain-language farmer’s handbook – Internal parasites of sheep and their control by Dr Clive Dalton (Reward Publishing, ISBN 978-473-12133-4 now in its 3rd edition). Copies can be obtained from www.lifestyleblock.co.nz or by emailing clive.dalton@gmail.com. Drench resistance is not just coming – it’s here The ‘Wormwise’ programme Disclaimer This material is provided in … Read more
Bloodstock: Thoroughbred horses used for racing.Brood mare: Mare kept for breeding.Bronc (bronco): Wild or half tamed horse used for bucking in rodeos.Brumby: General term for wild or feral horse.Bucking horse: Horse guaranteed to buck when ridden in rodeos.Collar shy: Horse that does not like a collar put over its head.Colt: Young entire male usually less than three years old.Draught: Horse breed or type … Read more
General hygiene, methods, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intramammary, how to fill a syringe. By Dr Clive Dalton & Dr Marjorie Orr General – hygiene Subcutaneous injection (under the skin) Intramuscular injection (into the muscle) Intravenous injection (into the vein) Intramammary injections (into the udder) Filling a syringe Disclaimer This material is provided in good faith for information … Read more
There is an increasing interest in organic farming around the world as consumers become more concerned about food safety and the over-use of chemicals in farming. Farming using organic principles is seen by increasing numbers of people as a possible solution to these concerns. However to farm cattle organically you will need to be aware … Read more
The Pentland Press Ltd (1977)ISBN 1-85821-479-3 Dennis’s tales of life on the farm, are a priceless historical record of all aspects of farming at that time – and especially of the people involved and their attitudes to employment and life in the Dales. He writes with the sincerity and wry humour of a true Dalesman. … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton Albright, J.L.; Arave, C.W.; (1997)The behaviour of cattle.Commonwealth Agricultural BureauISBN 0-85199-196-3 Barrell, G.K. (1984).Beef cattle reproduction.Animal Industries WorkshopISBN 0-86476-002-7 Beef finishing and marketing. (1992). Proceedings of a series of field days for beef producers.New Zealand Meat Board. Codes of Recommendation and Minimum Standards.For the welfare of dairy cattle.Code of animal welfare No.4, … Read more
Accelerated conditioining (AC): Electrical stimulation of a carcass after dressing to stimulate rigor mortis which reduces toughness when frozen.Ageing: Same as conditioning.Blast freezing: Rapid freezing of meat in a strong current of air.Boner: Animal slaughtered for manufacturing meat.Cannon bone: Long bone in foot of animal (metacarpals and metatarsals).Carcass weight (CW): These vary according to definition: Casings: Material stripped from intestines used for … Read more
History Photo of ‘Old Hemp’ bred in Northumberland (UK) and now has his DNA in dog trial and working dogs around the world. Dog trials have been part of New Zealand life since the establishment of sheep farming. The late Neil Rennie’s research found that the first NZ trial was probably held at Wanaka in 1867 … Read more
Cattle, farming, husbandry, the cow, reproduction, oestrus signs and length, short cycle, silent heat, teaser bulls, artificial insemination, drying off, inductions ( abortions) By Dr Clive Dalton When will a cow come on heat? How long does a cow stay on heat? What are the signs of heat in cattle? Cows coming on heat Cows … Read more
Cattle, farming, husbandry, breeds, breeding, methods, stud breeding, performance recording, using records, crossbreeding, inbreeding, linebreeding, interbreeding, grading up, future developments in breeding By Dr Clive Dalton Who to believe?If you believed what some enthusiasts say about their particular breed of cattle, and the promotional advertising and literature produced by breed organisations, then you’d have to … Read more