News & Advice

Reviewing reproductive data can assist in providing more targeted outcomes for you and your business. It seems like only yesterday we started calving. Time has flown by, and now most dairy farms will be finished with mating and will have some scanning data available. To some, this information may not be used for much, but it […]

As calf weaning approaches, we judge the performance of our beef cow herds by deciding ‘how good’ this year’s weaners look. Are they a nice even line of calves, or are there a number of tail-end stragglers that will have to play catch-up?  Weaning good-sized calves depends on a lot of factors, including genetics, cow […]

As the breeding season approaches, ensuring your herd is in peak condition is essential for successful mating and maximising the reproductive outcome and growing offspring well. Proper management of both hinds and stags during this time can significantly impact fertility, conception rates, and the overall health of your animals. Below, we outline key strategies that […]

Summer is the time for PAR! In other words, you ‘Planned’ and ‘Acted’ and now is the time to ‘Review’. So, three simple questions to ask yourself and to discuss with your management team/business partners: Where are we and how did we get here? Where are we heading, and do we want to go there? If […]

An interview with Peter Gallacher, LAVT chair and veterinary technician Peter is a Senior Veterinary Technician at Vetlife for North Canterbury, based at our Oxford clinic, although you may see him helping out at other clinics as needed. Peter is also the President/Chair of the LAVT (Large Animal Veterinary Technician) committee of the NZVA (New […]

As a rule, non-return rates can be variable, but in general terms, we are mainly concerned about very high rates (as they may signal problems with your mating) and very low rates.    Non-returns are simply cows not seen to return to heat post mating, so they are either truly pregnant, have gone anoestrus again, have missed […]

It’s time for a deserved break, and then let’s start discussing the 2023/24 season!  After a wet and muddy calving and all the hard work put in through mating, most farmers and staff will be thinking about having a well-deserved break. Then when you get back, you will be refreshed and ready to start reviewing and […]

“Buyer beware” is a generic statement that is often used when it comes to purchasing anything. It is also a statement often bandied around (almost with a chuckle) when it comes to purchasing cattle, in particular heifers or female cattle, on the open market.  As a part-time farmer with a small-time cattle finishing operation, who […]

While I am sure everyone is fast awaiting summer’s arrival and hoping for some consistent grass-growing weather, we must not lose sight of those issues that arrive with the improved climate.   Flystrike will soon begin to rear its ugly head and, as ever, prevention is far better than cure. Maggots cause extensive damage leading […]

While we tend to see most lungworm infections post-Christmas, seasonal conditions may lead to it rearing its ugly head before we are expecting it, so vigilance is important. It usually affects calves under 10 months of age, and freshly weaned calves are very susceptible, but it can also affect older cattle.   Lungworm symptoms and lifecycle […]

Summer is upon us, meaning it is that time of year again for sorting through your ram flock in preparation for the breeding season ahead. Ram soundness exams are a critical and simple-to-perform step to ensure your rams are healthy and ready for mating. Rams should be palpated by your veterinarian at a minimum of […]

To celebrate our amazing pets (and their humans), we are giving you the chance to win a year’s worth of PD pet insurance or Hills premium pet food! We would love to see your pets out and about enjoying their best life. You can also visit any one of our Vetlife clinics and take a fun […]