Vaccination
I have really been trying to stick to my vaccination schedule for the year.
The rains have caused a delay with the immunization. As a result, I am behind schedule. It has been 5 weeks since I last immunized my herd. I need to to boost a few animals this time around. That is with duovax for the calves aged 6 months and more. I am also very late with the Brucellosis inoculations. Because of that, its costing me more money in terms of which vaccine to use. Instead of the usual cheaper S19, I must used RB51. So it hurts alot.
I really do not believe in mixing vaccines. Especially the live vaccines (against anthrax, botulism, blackleg and brucella). I can however add a multi-vitamin injection to a live vaccine on the same day. For dewormers, I am yet to try dectomax. And again, I can also add a multi-vitamin to that or a trace elements (Virbac multimin)if I like. I do not even mix more than one live vaccine and immunize on the same day. When using a booster (live) vaccination, it is safe to use that with another live vaccine e.g Duovax (booster) and Brucella RB51 can be vaccinated on one day in my herd.
I am still experimenting. Making changes and seeing what works.
Weaning & Body Condition Scoring (BCS)
Its time to wean and kick those calves of their mothers not at 8 months. In 2014 I have made mistakes. It took me long to wean. And I am still feeling the effects of that. The cows were under conditioned (BCS less than 5). As a result, the cows were not able to re-breed quick enough and have long Inter calving periods (ICPs). The calves below are ready for weaning.
Lesson learned: A cow in good condition will re-breed quicker after birth.
Record keeping
Ongoing! On going! Tag the animals and record!
Until next time...
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