July 2018

10 LIVESTOCK

livestock@woldmarsh.com

CALF PEN DISINFECTION

Woldmarsh is working closely with Evans Vanodine, a leading manufacturer of chemicals and have negotiated competitive prices across their product range. They specialise in a variety of teat dips, acid / alkaline disinfectants and broad- spectrum detergents. Evans also have their own microbiological lab and provide an excellent technical service to its customers.

With varying temperatures, it creates an environment for microorganisms to multiply, therefore the health of young calves should be a priority. With annual herd turnover rates close to 35%, having healthy, genetically superior replacement heifers to fill the void is a necessity. Despite the importance of calf health, continued studies show a pre-weaned heifer calf mortality rate of 8.7% and reports show that less than 40% of farms can supply an adequate number of replacements from their own herd. Calves are exposed to viruses, bacteria and parasites in their environment that can cause scours, respiratory problems or

other diseases. If the number of organisms to which the calf is exposed is minimised by good disinfection practices, only a limited number of calves will be infected, and these calves may not develop disease signs if they have good resistance and little stress. Disinfecting without using a controlled programme is a waste of time and money. Using a pressure washer without adding a detergent cleaner will not fully clean the housing. Detergent cleaners remove grease and protein that water cannot penetrate. A correctly cleaned pen allows disinfectant to be absorbed into its material structure ensuring an effective kill and residual protection.

Article from the ‘Calf Pen Disinfection Programme’ Brochure.

CALF DISINFECTION PROGRAMME

CLEANING STAGE BACTERIA LEVEL TVC/CM2

COMING UP Mid-season worming pressures have the potential to cause significant damage economically and to the animal’s performance during the upcoming months, so management is key. With resistance more prevalent; management strategies are increasingly relied upon to ensure the future of anthelmintic control is protected. It is important that the animal receives the correct dose of wormer. Over- dosing is not cost efficient and can have serious health implications to the animal, whilst under dosing can lead to inadequate control to worm populations and an increased risk to resistance. For advice on which anthelmintic would be most appropriate to suit your requirements; Woldmarsh liaises closely with D&H Animal Health to ensure members not only receive accurate data from their POM-VPS qualified staff but also receive consistently competitive prices. For more information contact Max STAGE 1 - Remove all calves and manure from site. STAGE 2 - Apply Shift solution through pressure washer at a dilution rate of 1:250, soaking the entire surface area of pen. Ensure all grease and ingrained organic soil is removed. STAGE 3 - Allow to dry for 24 hours. STAGE 4 - Fill a knapsack sprayer with Fam30 or GPC8 solution at a dilution rate of 1:100. Use warm water if possible as this increases the efficacy of the disinfectant. STAGE 5 - Disinfect all surfaces of the pen. Start at the highest and furthest point from the door and work down the walls and to the floor. Ensure extra coverage on the corners and cracks.

Immediately after calves and bedding removed

80,000,000

If pressure washed with water only

25,000,000

If hot pressure washed with SHIFT

2,500,000

If left to dry for 24 hrs before disinfection

1,500,000

Disinfection with FAM 30 or GPC8 Less than

1,000

For further information on disinfectants and Evan Vanodines comprehensive product portfolio contact Max in Animal Inputs who can put you in contact with the Sales and Technical Support representative at Evans Vanodine. Source: www.evansvanodine.co.uk

leakage of current to the earth. Therefore good quality insulators are an important part of the system, enabling the maximum voltage difference between the earth and the fence line to be achieved. Woldmarsh has negotiated with Hotline Fencing to ensure members have all their queries answered. Whether that includes technical information or obtaining the most competitive price. Please call Max for more information.

CLOSE TO THE WIRE With many stockmen relieved to finally have their stock turned out, many are anxious for the good weather to continue. However, with foraging and other farm operations seemingly commencing all at once many members are using spare moments to check field boundaries. Regardless of whether it is a permanent perimeter fence or simply plastic stakes, it is important the correct components are used to ensure the electric fence is working to its optimum. This can include; choosing between high tensile wire or conductive tape, using the correct insulators and ultimately selecting the correct energiser appropriate to the scale of operations. The energiser puts out a high voltage, low current pulse, approximately once per second, through a special conductive fence line. This may be stranded wire, electric fencing poly wire, electro tape or electro rope. The fence line must be totally insulated from the ground so that there is no

Max Forman