By Lindsay Galloway Introduction by Dr Clive Dalton Getting information to farmers that they could understand and use to improve their profits, was the main driving force for all of us who worked for the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (MAF) in the 1970s to 1990. Our ‘Information Services’ section was staffed by … Read more
Animal health, disease prevention, injections, methods, techniques, hygiene, safety. 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 injection (into the udder) Filling a syringe DisclaimerThis material is provided in good faith for information purposes only, and … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton The breeding season Sheep are seasonal breeders and in latitudes away from the equator, they are stimulated to cycle by the declining daylight pattern in autumn. If you move ewes between hemispheres they change their breeding season to suit the new light pattern. Sheep that are farmed near the tropics where … Read more
Practice in New ZealandAbout 20% of New Zealand farmers now put their hoggets to the ram at 8-9 months of age to lamb when they are about a year old. They normally lamb them first as two-tooths at two years old to give the hogget time to grow and mature. But to get more production … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton PART 5 Two-tooth ewes from the A team nucleus Planning the two-tooths’ matingDecision needed: What rams are you going to join with these top two-tooths? They deserve very special consideration after all the work you’ve put into them. Ram options Option 1: Stud breeders rams at pubic auction but few FEC records … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton PART 3 Getting started Essential features First: To keep the job simple and avoid getting bogged in paper.Second: To keep costs to a bare minimum. Genetic theoryThomas Bakewell in the 1700s used the principles used in this exercise to improve Longhorn cattle and Leicester sheep, so they’ve been well tested! He … Read more
By Dr Clive DaltonCastrating lambs with rubber ringsUsing rubber rings is the best way to castrate lambs in both large and small flocks. It is bloodless and research has shown that the intense pain only lasts a short time. Lambs should be castrated using rings before they are 6 weeks old – the younger the … Read more