Fly activity

Fly activity has increased a lot in the past week and I have heard of a number of cases of mastitis in dry cows and heifers. If the problem is detected early and if treatment is given in time, it can be treated quite successfully. However, it can be easily missed as these stock groups often do not get the same attention as spring cows or growing cattle. Summer mastitis is less common in spring-calving cows, as the calf is sucking the cow regularly, but can occur in late-calving cows where calves are unable to suck all four quarters, causing mastitis to develop. Particularly high risk areas are those with trees, close to water or those that have plenty of shelter from hedges, as this will attract flies. Prevention is better than cure. Treating cows with a pour-on insecticide can help prevent the problem, but the cover period varies with different products. As the peak risk period is normally in late July and August, cows may need a second treatment. Applying tar can work, but that’s less practical, as it needs to be reapplied every three to four days. Cows with summer mastitis will have a swollen udder and flies around the teat. The swollen udder causes discomfort to the animal, which results in stiffness and lameness when walking. Cows generally develop a temperature and become isolated and dull in appearance. When drawing a quarter, the characteristic thick, clotted secretion is present. If an antibiotic tube is being used to treat an infected quarter, make sure you clean the teat and use a glove. Good hygiene and preventing further infection is very important.

Tullamore Farm Open Day

Tullamore Farm’s national open day takes place next Wednesday 24 July from 11am -6pm. It is supported by FBD insurance, and the farm walk route takes in a number of technical stands with all livestock on display at each stop, and full performance figures on sheep and cattle. We will have a live dipping demo in two mobile units on the day, including a live sheep handling demo, with ewes moving through a number of units. Workshops will take place from 2pm on sheep foot bathing, breeding checks, cattle handling, cattle finishing, machinery maintenance and CAP reform. There are also over 40 commercial exhibitor stands attending the event. Admission is free, refreshments will be available at the farm and car parking is also free. The open day is a KT-approved event. The Eircode for the farm is R35 AT81.

Farm safety

It’s farm safety week this week and events are taking place up and down the country, as it’s a hot topic of conversation. Focus on farm safety shouldn’t stop at the end of this week. When we hear of farm accidents taking place, we comment on it being awful and forget the next day. What we should be doing is looking around our own yards and farms to see if there is anything can be done to avoid the same thing happening. July and August are especially important, with children on school holidays around yards and fields. Make sure they are aware of the dangers around the farm and never leave them unaccompanied in yards or fields.

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Action-packed day planned as Tullamore Farm opens its gates to the public