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Events & Newsletters
Farm Newsletter May 2018.pdfDownload
The May Farm Newsletter is out now!
Click here to download your Penbode Farm Vets May newsletter.In this month's newsletter:
- Stratton Farm Vet Lauren Medland focuses on heifer synchronisation
- Farm Director Jonathan Chapman reveals all about his typical day
- The Friend family of Wadland Barton tell us about their farm near Ashbury
- The Sheep team offers a great deal on Reproductive Failure Checks
- Bradworthy Farm Director Andy Stokes answers your mastitis questions
Plus we have a great competition to win a brand new milking apron and sleeves!
*no purchase necessary
Bull Fertility Testing
Maximizing efficiency within farming systems is always vital. Suckler herds are no exception: fertility management is one of the biggest drivers of sustainability. Improving efficiency in suckler fertility involves, at its very backbone, two key objectives: maintaining a strict 365-day calving interval and striving for conception rates of 60%.
The bull - paramount in the planning, management and success of fertility on farm - is often overlooked. Studies show more than a fifth of UK bulls are subfertile. Whilst completely infertile bulls are rare, these subfertile bulls can be catastrophic to the coming calving period.
Bulls should be able to impregnate 70% of cows in the first three weeks of breeding, as we are aiming for 65% of cows to calve within these first three weeks of the calving period. By nine weeks 93% of cows should be pregnant. A subfertile bull would take much longer to achieve such figures, resulting in a protracted calving period and cows left open. It costs between £450 and £800 to house and feed a beef cow from breeding to calving, so it is a huge, and bitterly disappointing drain on resources to find barren cows due to a poorly performing bull. By comparison a bull test costs under £100!
All working bulls should undergo a Bull Breeding Suitability Exam (BBSE) every year by a vet â not just at buying in or in young, unproven bulls. Bulls should be restrained in a crush in order to carry out this examination.
At Penbode Farm Vets Jonathan Chapman, Andy Stokes, Oli Charlton and Matt Evans are all qualified to carry out BBSEs.
What happens in the test
- Bulls are thoroughly examined for any issues which may hinder their ability to serve. eg foot problems, teeth malformations - which would drop feed intake - or problems affecting eyesight. If the BBSE is carried out six to eight weeks before breeding, it allows time for any issues, such as lameness, to be treated and corrected.
- The examination then looks at the reproductive system â aiming for a scrotal circumference of at least 34cm in any bull over two years old. This is essential if they are to have the serving capacity required to get lots of cows in calf. Scrotal circumference is also directly linked to the fertility of his progeny: his daughters will be more likely to reach puberty earlier if this standard is met.
- A semen sample is examined to analyse sperm morphology and motility.
- Finally, the bull is watched during a service to ensure he is up to the job!
- Mature bulls can cover up to 50 cows each year, so it really does pay to ensure he can perform to his potential every season.
Knowledge is power, and ensuring the bull has a full âMOTâ every year gives you the opportunity to counteract any brewing issues, long before you see cows returning.
farm-test.pdfDownload
PLUS WIN a bottle of red wine to go with your St. George's Day roast beef. Simply send in your tips for cooking the best roast to marketing@penbodevets.co.uk to enter into a free draw* and a bottle of red wine could be on its way to you for 23 April!
The April Farm Newsletter is out now!
Click here to download your Penbode Farm Vets April newsletter packed with articles on:- Bull fertility testing PLUS Special FREE VISIT offer!
- Abortion in cattle
- In Rachel Turner's wellies for the day!
- Spotlight on the Vanstone Family of Rhude Farm
- Plus all news and updates on our usual EVENTS, COURSES and OFFERS!
PLUS WIN a bottle of red wine to go with your St. George's Day roast beef. Simply send in your tips for cooking the best roast to marketing@penbodevets.co.uk to enter into a free draw* and a bottle of red wine could be on its way to you for 23 April!
*no purchase necessary
Farm Newsletter March 2018.pdfDownload
The March Farm Newsletter is out now!
Perfect for reading after spending hours breaking ice on the water troughs!In the first Spring 2018 issue you can read articles on:
- Top tips for a safe and successful calving
- In Dan Forrester's wellies
- Spotlight on the Smith flock and herd of Trefranck
- Pre-calving trace elements
- Plus of course our great offers and events updates
And don't forget - like all farmers who work 24/7/365 - our dedicated and hard working vets are here for you and your livestock, whatever the weather!
Spring 2018 sheep newsletter final.pdfDownload
The Spring Sheep Newsletter is out now!
Here's something to warm you up after a tricky lambing!The Penbode Farm Vets Sheep Team's new sheep newsletter, packed with vital information on nutrition, lamb care, disease reminders, worming and of course #ColostrumIsGold and special offers is out now!
Don't forget to join the Penbode Flock Health Club. Ask your branch for details.
