BVD

[wagra dexters]

We live on the border. Victoria is a control zone, and breeding stock cannot be sold into protected zones of NSW without Johnes tests. Our herd became MN3 a year ago, meaning that we have been tested negative for Johnes three times, each test two years apart, every animal two years and over. We have 30 head in that category.

Since MN1, we have sold stud stock into Victoria only, none into the other states, and could have saved ourselves the huge expense, although our vet says that because Johnes can be an issue in Victoria, we could have a sales advantage being 'monitored negative'.

[happy hollidays]

Martin, good news about your test results, sorry to hear the bad news, hope all goes well in the coming weeks. Estelle

[Jo Kemp]

Best wishes Martin for the rest of your calving - always a worrying time - my 21 yr old part time stocksman comes from a dairy background and he is always concerned when I leave the cow in a small field to keep an eye on her as the dairy herd cattle are calved usually (to be sure). I prefer things to be totally natural where possible but realise I have been extremely fortunate so far - feel my time may indeed come this year as I have 10 to calve.
Jo

[Martin]

Its always a difficult time Jo, I used to have lots of sheep and was 'on duty' 24-7 at lambing, and lowland sheep are always more trouble at this time than the hill breeds. I always try to leave my animals for as long as possible before interfering as I wish as many as possible to be natural, but you always have the dilema of how long is too long?

Martin

[Jo Kemp]

I have Shetland sheep Martin and seldom need to help but last year I lost 6 lambs as I was undertheweather - exhaustion really and they were born with the sac over their noses. ... in humans named a 'caul' and is a sign of good fortune! always supposing someone is there to sort all out.
It is the best of times and the worst of times - any loss makes the herd feel so jolly guilty but we simply cannot be there all the time
Good luck - I rely on prayer actually!
Jo

[Inger]

My thinking is that, if the cow hasn't calved within an hour of the waters breaking, I go in for a look. Heifers I give a bit longer as first births are often slower, but I wouldn't let them go longer than two hours. Most of my cows drop their calves within 30 minutes and others only take 15 minutes. Then commonly the calf is up and drinking within 20 of birth.

I prefer to intervene and have a live calf and a mother that isn't so exhausted from pushing, that she can't be bothered looking after her calf properly. The calf can also be exhausted from the birthing process, so its best if it is born quickly and smoothly. The right head shape helps a lot.