Richard and Carol Conklin wrote:
> Ian, Are you talking about milk fever and ketosis? No genetic component to
> those problems here--they seem to be based soley on dietary inadequacies,
> and occur only among older cows. Of course, back when I started in '75, I
> called the Vet for my first 'down cow', and he said--'A herd of Jerseys,
> huh? Let me teach you how to administer calcium IV. You'll need to know
with
> Jerseys!'--which I've done for myself ever since. But Ian, are we on the
> same topic?
No I am talking about if mastitis hits they do not appear so ill. Less
prone as calves to scour. Handle cold wet weather better. Push the
yellow jerseys out of the way. I suspect stronger immune systems and
constitutions. Even less parasite prone. Of course no scientific
evidence just a lifetimes observations!!!
You are right that metabolic problems are diet based. In our early years
we culled all cows at 10 years old due to high levels of metabolic
problems in the herd. We were using all the preventative measures such
as causmag, vitamin shots etc that were recommended. All this and it was
not uncommon to still treat 25% of the herd. Many years later and a
better understanding of my soil / plant / animal requirements, through
biodynamic / organic agriculture, and now we treat less than 1%
annually. No preventative measures taken and no culling at 10 years old.
It is not unusual to have 15 year old cows in the herd.
A visiting Swedish vet once said that she could always tell an organic
farmer as they were the ones that smiled at calving!!!
No button pushing guys 8>)
Much!!!
regards
Ian Buckingham
New Zealand
