Sources of information from text books, research papers, technical leaflets & reports, sheep industry organisations‘ publications By Dr Clive Dalton Dalton, D. C. (1980).Introduction to practical animal breeding.Out of print. Photocopies of First edition available from Dr Clive Dalton, 12 Maple Avenue, Dinsdale, Hamilton 3204. Price $45 which includes GST and postage within New ZealandBlackwell Scientific … Read more
Sheep, husbandry, lambing, how to measure performance, planning, making preparations, lambing percentage, scanning percentage By Dr Clive Dalton The wonder of birthLambing time is the busiest time in the sheep farming year. The wonder of birth never fades and it can compensate for some of the exhaustion and frustration regularly experienced by those responsible for lambing. … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton IntroductionCattle have served mankind for around ten thousand years, and the ancient herders soon learned that if you treat them well, they’ll reward you with good production and profit. They’ll also stay healthy and provide you with great job satisfaction. Now believe it or not, recent research into the human/animal behaviour … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton What everybody knows The old solution What needs thinking about now? The solution – genetics What to do Disclaimer This material is provided in good faith for information purposes only, and the author does not accept any liability to any person for actions taken as a result of the information or advice … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, disease, animal health, worms, internal parasites, immunity, what helps & depresses immunity By Dr Clive Dalton What is immunity? What helps immunity? What harms immunity The periparturient rise Genetic improvement of immunity Do anthelmintics harm the immune system?This very important question was never asked in the past; we took it for granted … Read more
Agriculture, farming, husbandry, beef production, meat quality, pre-slaughter preparation, pH, pratical advice By Dr Clive Dalton Importance of meat quality With such a high emphasis on ‘Quality’ in export markets, it’s vital that farmers recognise this in the paddock because this is where Quality starts. Stock that are stressed before slaughter will have high pH … Read more
Sheep, farming, husbandry, management, crutching. By Dr Clive Dalton In New Zealand sheep are ‘crutched’ by removing various amounts of wool from their belly and rear end. Kinds of crutchingThere are basically three kinds of crutching: Ring crutch Full crutch DisclaimerThis material is provided in good faith for information purposes only, and the author does … Read more
The Northumbrian art and craft of harvesting (howkin) turnips By Donald Clegg A field full of memories There’s a field in the Upper North Tyne that I pass almost daily as I travel to and from my home near Kielder Water. As soon as I see it, memories take me back almost 60 years and … 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
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
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
By Dr Clive Dalton Because of the way internal parasites operate in sheep, and the methods we have used in the past to control them, a lot of myths and half truths have become interwoven with good solid facts. Myths are defined as ‘traditional narrative embodying popular ideas’ so some bits are true or half … 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
Increasing interest in organic farmingThere is an increasing interest in organic farming around the world as consumers become more concerned about food safety and with the over-use of chemicals in farming. Farming using “organic principles” is seen by an increasing number of people as a solution to these concerns. Below are some general principles General … 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
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
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