Young farmer focus: Jennifer Jones - 'Simple changes can bring big benefits'

Vet

With lambing and calving just around the corner, perhaps now is the time to review your management procedures such as hygiene, colostrum and antibiotic use.

Some simple, low cost changes, such as improving cleanliness of pens, equipment and feeders, prompt navel disinfection and quality colostrum in sufficient quantity quickly enough (50ml/kg in first few hours for lambs,10 per cent of body weight in first six hours for calves) will have a massive effect on neonatal survival and future health.

Antibiotic use is always under scrutiny and prophylactic use of products, such as oral antibiotics, really cannot be recommended for the majority anymore.

For singles and twins born early in the lambing period with good hygiene and adequate colostrum, intake oral antibiotics are not necessary.

Triplets and lambs born later in lambing can be given oral antibiotics as there is greater chance of poor passive transfer and exposure to build of of bacteria in the environment.

SAYFC

With news over the past few weeks of more shows in 2021 being postponed, I am sure all young farmers countrywide are feeling disheartened about missing out on yet another year of shows, dances and beer tents.

However, we managed to adapt last year and once the light nights are here with lambing and calving past I am sure it will not seem as bad.