Kid You Not
The annual reproductive cycle in goat breeds from temperate latitudes (and some local breeds from the subtropics) is controlled by day length. Reproduction is seasonal with females ovulating during short days. As the daily periods of darkness lengthen, the breeding period starts and both oestrus behavior and cyclic ovarian activity occur. During the transition, goats can undergo anovulatory estrus (‘silent ovulations’) not accompanied by estrous behavior. Most breeds of tropical and sub-tropical origin goats breed year-round, and breeding and anoestrus…
Working With Your Vet
“If someone brings you a dragon, a Martian or Bigfoot, you will be expected to provide care, protect public health and guard against any threat they may present to our food supply. My job is to give you the tools you need to figure it out.” So began my veterinary education … Veterinarians come with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, but we all share a similar core education. The concept of 'One Health' (see box) reminds veterinary students that…
Housing Benefits
The basic principles of youngstock housing are no different to those that apply to adult cows. Regardless of the age group or the type of housing, accommodation must provide for the animal’s needs in terms of shelter and comfort. Housing not only covers things like floor type and area, but also light intensity and air space. Ireland example In the typical Irish dairy herd, calving is a very seasonal event with the vast majority of calves born during February…
Feeding Pigs
Domesticated pigs descend from forest dwelling wild boar, which root and forage for food. Pigs are omnivorous and can eat a variety of food of both plant and animal origin. Based on these two facts, some farmers assume that when pigs are given the opportunity to forage they need little or no supplementary grain and protein feeds. Unfortunately, this assumption is wrong and, in some cases, has led to poor pig productivity—and even health and welfare problems. While alternative and…
Farmers United
With all the criticisms of farming around the world, it’s great to hear the National Farmers Union, the UK’s best-known farming body, promoting the potential role of farming in mitigating climate change, with a target to reduce UK farming’s GHG emissions to zero by 2040. But in the UK, many sustainable farmers have been doing all this—and much more—for years with very little recognition. Public goods and services My husband and I farm 500 acres high on the hills…
