The Vet Group Dairy News - December 2018
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Colostral antibodies: calves' gold star troops

At our recent CalfWise workshop, the topic of colostrum antibodies came up: what they are and why they are important. As it’s time to start planning colostral vaccinations we thought it would be worth revisiting.

Vaccinations are one way of increasing antibodies against specific diseases. Vaccination makes that antibody “troop” bigger and stronger. To increase the antibodies in colostrum to improve protection in newborn calves, the vaccinations need to be given to the cows prior to calving – usually at drying off.

Most vaccines need two doses to begin with followed by annual boosters. For example, Scourshield needs 2 doses 3 to 9 weeks apart with second dose 2 to 6 weeks pre-calving.

HeiferWise Workshop 20 Dec & 7 Feb

The HeiferWise workshop gives you the tools to have a proactive approach to heifer rearing from weaning through to calving.

Dates: 20 Dec 2018 & 7 Feb 2019 Time: 10.00am – 2:30pm (both days)
Venue: The Vet Group Conference Room, 99 Bailey St Timboon
Cost: $200 per person (Lunch included)
Limited places are available.
If you would like to attend this HeiferWise workshop or have any questions, please call Farm Services on 1300 838 700.

Plant Poisons! Detectives at work...

Recently Dr Zoe Vogels attended Timboon P-12 School's TAP's On Day and helped conduct an investigation into poisonous plants.

There are many plants that can be toxic to stock, but some are particularly nasty and kill animals quickly – there’s no time for treatment! For example:

Yew contains alkaloids that cause cardiac arrest – all parts are toxic except the berry flesh
Foxglove, oleander and mother of millions all contain cardiac glycosides. These increase the force of contraction of the heart, causing a heart attack.
Green cestrum contains a chemical that severely damages the liver – killing animals in hours to days. We’ve seen this poisoning in dry cows who had access to a cestrum plant.

Farewell to Matt Makin

At the end of last month Matt Makin finished his 6 years as Managing Director of The Vet Group, bringing to a close almost 20 years of being involved of our business (he started at the Timboon Vet Group back in 2000). We all would like to thank Matt for the effort and time he has put into the business. During Matt's time as MD, the business reached new levels of efficiency and professionalism. Our ability to provide you with the service you need has been enhanced considerably because of his efforts. We wish him well as he sets off on new challenges.

Farm Services

Call 1300 838 700

Timboon Clinic
99 Bailey St
Timboon VIC 3268
Phone: 03 5558 6666

Wollaston Clinic
59 Mortlake Rd
Warrnambool, VIC 3280
Phone: 03 5561 6911

Allansford Clinic
260 Ziegler Parade
Allansford, VIC 3277
Phone: 03 5558 6666

Simpson Clinic
190 Barramul St
Simpson, VIC 3266
Phone: 03 5558 6666

Clinic Closures

Please note the following changes to our normal trading hours over the coming month.

Christmas Day 25 December
Boxing Day 26 December
All Clinics Closed
Emergency on call only

Emergency Availability
Our usual 24-hour emergency service will be available outside normal office hours and on public holidays. If you require emergency care during this time contact us on:

Farm Services: 1300 838 700

Small animals Timboon: 5558 6666

Small animals Allansford and Wollaston: 5561 6911

Scourshield

Ultravac Scourshield is for the vaccination of cows as an aid in the prevention of calf scours caused by bovine rotavirus and E.coli and for control of calf scours caused by bovine coronavirus.

$277.46

Buy Now

Potassium Sorbate

Potassium sorbate is a food grade additive that can be used for the short-term preservation of fresh colostrum.

$28.36/1L

Buy Now

Brix Refractometer
Brix refractometers are the most accurate, practical method for on-farm assessment of the quality of colostrum.
$45.00

Buy Now

News Archive
November 2018
We have a new service: In-house milk cultures!
HeiferWise Workshop
Teatsealing heifers - we can make it a breeze

October 2018
Eye Cancer in Cattle
There's nothing fun about Pinkeye
Alex visits world cattle vet conference in Japan
BVDV - what is it and why it is important?