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The number of heifers being teatsealed before calving is increasing every June as more clients become aware of the benefits of reduced heifer mastitis at calving. On average there is a reduction in subclinical mastitis of 65% and a reduction in clinical mastitis of 50% with further reductions in clinic mastitis in heifers during lactation.
Read what another client has to say.
How is it done?
Yes, with planning, care and patience you can treat heifers with Teatseal prior to calving without getting kicked and injured.
The process is :
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Treatment is given by our trained team 4-6 weeks prior to the planned start of calving, usually early June.
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Herringbone sheds are preferable.
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Heifers need to be broken into the shed and taught "heads over" in the week before treatment. This takes 6-8 passes through the shed. Including some mature cows help with leading and blocking.
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On the day of treatment heifers needed to be fed well to bulk them up.
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Keep only small mobs of 30-40 in the yard at one time.
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Use only one side of the herringbone to treat 10-15 heifers at a time.
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The breast rails need to be as narrow as possible.
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Extra staff is needed to hold tails and apply tail jacks as required. They should be be quiet experienced stockmen. One helper per person teatsealing.
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A milking plant vacuum level higher than it should be helped create an on-going mastitis problem for David Dean (pictured above) in his first year managing his family’s Silverdene Farm, near Mercer, North Waikato, three seasons ago. Read more on his story.
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Onewhero dairy farmers Bryce & Rosemarie Costar can't understand why more people aren't using DairyNZ's InCalf programme and its Fertility Focus Report.
InCalf is designed to help farmers boost their herd's reproductive performance. The process involves identifying and improving on management areas with further potential, with the assistance of a trained InCalf adviser.
"Since we kicked off, our production to the end of February was up 20 percent," Rosemarie says.
"We worked out that we saved $46,000 on empties and were able to cull on the things we wanted, not because they were empty. From spending an extra $17,500 we made more than $40,000 just in milk production".
The Costars are grateful for the support they have been given. InCalf provider Jason Fayers and DairyNZ consulting officer Sarah Payne helped them establish the programme.
Through regular meetings, Jason helped the couple plan ahead to pivotal times. This planning and regular review is an important part of the InCalf programme.
"Considering the drought we have had, we really pleased. I guess we are really lucky because the support we get from Franklin Vets is pretty amazing".
Rosemary, recommends InCalf to other farmers. "We scratch our heads now and we go 'why doesn't everyone use this'. |
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