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Keep Scouring Calves Hydrated

Producers understand neonatal calf diarrhea is a problem on their farms. National Animal Health Monitoring System data from 2007 reported an average calf mortality of 8% annually, with scours as the leading cause of death in unweaned calves at 56.5%. Most causes of scours are preventable. However, the infectious causes of neonatal diarrhea are typically bacteria, viruses or protozoa. Other noninfectious causes that may contribute to neonatal diarrhea are:
 
■ poor-quality colostrum
 
■ poor sanitation
 
■ stress
 
■ inadequate ventilation
 
■ adverse weather conditions
 

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WARNING! Rough Start To Breeding Season!!

Video: WARNING! Rough Start To Breeding Season!!

WARNING! Sheep Breeding Season Begins With A Bang! Breeding season is officially underway at Ewetopia Farms, but it didn’t exactly start the way we planned!

This vlog begins with us sorting through our rams to find the perfect match for a customer’s breeding program. What should have been routine quickly turned dangerous when one of our more nervous rams panicked. In seconds, Arnie’s knee was injured, and then I was slammed hard onto the concrete floor — both of us taken down by one ram!

Thankfully, it was just bruises, but it’s a reminder of how unpredictable and powerful mature rams can be. Once we recovered, it was time to get back to the real work — the start of breeding season.

We sorted the ewes into four breeding groups (two Suffolk and two Dorset), checking parentage as they ran through the chute, deworming those that needed it, and setting aside thinner ewes for session two of breeding season in a month’s time.This staggered approach keeps lambing organized and prevents overcrowding in the barns.

From rogue rams to the excitement of new breeding groups, this episode is full of action. Stay tuned for the next vlog, where we’ll share how we chose the rams for each group!