AMBERLEA FARM NEWSLETTER

Hello everyone,

Well where has this year gone? Hasn’t time slipped by since our last update. We have all been very busy just keeping our heads above water this year and I know some of you have suffered with the forces of nature be it weather, earthquakes or just the economic times. But we have survived and we have next year to look forward to.

Here at Amberlea Farm we have had a really good season grass wise and a good calving with no problems (haven’t seen the vet in ages, great). When we move here we thought this farm was a 3 to 5 year project but after three and a half years we are still knee deep and loving it. The farming side is nearly back to its former glory following 18 years of neglect. The pine wood lot has been harvested and replanted, another 10 acres retired and planted in Redwoods as part of a Lakes restoration project with the regional council and we are about half way through a re vegetation program with 5000 trees planted so far, not including 7500 Pines & 3500 Redwoods . Just about there with the stocking rate, hopefully next year should see us fully stocked now the pasture that was compromised from the logging is returning to productivity .

When we purchased the farm there was an old cottage that we pulled down. The plan was to replace it with some accommodation. Well after a year of work we now have “The Red Barn”, accommodation for hikers, bikers, and the many outdoor pursuits people that come to Rotorua for activities. You can check it out on our web page www.amberleafarm.co.nz and see some photos of it.

On a NZ Miniature Hereford Breeders Group point of view we are just getting stronger each year. I note that last Christmas newsletter I quoted our membership at 25 well I am happy to now say we have 32 member. The more members we have the more people out there promoting Miniature Herefords. Excellent!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Keep in touch.

Regards Helen & Chris


Vet Talk

This season has been great for growing grass but many of us now have long seeding pastures. This is great but beware of pink eye….

Beef - Pinkeye

Pinkeye is a bacterial infection of the eye that causes weeping, blindness and possible rupture of the eyeball. The amount of disease seen in a herd varies from year to year but in a bad outbreak it may affect up to 80% of the herd. Young animals are most susceptible so it is often seen in young cattle in their first summer.

It is most common in summer and autumn when flies and dust are abundant, grass is long and UV light strong. These are ideal conditions for pinkeye. It is also very contagious between animals and is spread by flies.

The first sign you may see is weepy eyes and the animals avoiding bright light. There will be opacity of the eyeball, starting small in the centre of the eye becoming elevated and ulcerated over the next few days. The ulceration can become severe with breakdown of tissues covering the whole cornea.

The sooner antibiotic treatment is given the better. A subconjuctival injection of penicillin or other systemic treatments can be given. In the early stages, antibiotic eye ointment will help. Isolating the affected animals and providing shade will be beneficial.

Prevention includes fly control at times of high fly challenge and minimising exposure to physical irritants. Vaccination is an option if Pinkeye is an annual problem or an outbreak occurs.

(Information supplied by Manawatu Veterinary Services)

TO DO’S AROUND THE FARM

  • Don’t forget your 5 N 1 injections (protects against - Pulpy Kidney - Tetanus - Blackleg - Black Disease - Malignant Oedema) for calves or some of you might be using 7 N 1 which also covers you for Leptospirosis.
     
  • Time to do soil tests and look at your budget for Autumn fertilizer. Don’t forget you might want extra fertilizer on those paddocks you have cut for hay or silage. We use Ecologic Fertilizer is more about feeding the soil. If you want more info on this check out their www.esi.org.nz
     
  • Planning ahead makes running the farm much easier, especially if you also work off farm.

FOR SALE

Esprit Jessy 04-621 (DOB 02.09.04)
Lovely cow (with excellent bull calf at foot) Jessy has had 6 lovely calves and has had no problems, is an excellent mum. (Running with bull from 30.10.11) **can be purchased with or without calf at foot $3,500+gat (calf $ to be negotiated if sold together)

Esprit Allana 08-050 (DOB 04.08.08)
Allana is bred from a top cow and has had 2 top calves with no problems. (Heifer calf at foot) ** can be purchased with or without calf at foot (Running with bull from 30.09.11) $4,000+gst (calf $ to be negotiated if sold together)

Esprit Nita 09-109 (DOB 06.11.09)
Heifer - Lovely colour and markings (Running with bull from 30.09.11) $4,000+gst

Esprit Star 10-116 (DOB 09.09.10)
Esprit Stella 10-117 (DOB 16.09.10)
Both Heifers running with bull from 30.09.11 $3,500+gst each

Also available “For Sale—On behalf”

Awanui Zena 09-949 (DOB01.12.09)
Waikato

Akatea Lady Victoria 04-018 (DOB07.10.04)
Esprit Heather 04-601 (DOB11.01.04)
Esprit Vicky 07-942 (DOB04.11.07)
All three girls in Fielding area

BULLS FOR SALE

Awanui Adam 10-54 - DOB 29.08.2010
Awanui Clifford 10-56 - DOB 01.09.2010
Hurworth Henry Tudor 10-01 - DOB 18.04.2010
Raukawa Hori 09-15 - DOB 19.08.2009
Raukawa Himi 09-19 - DOB 26.08.2009
Riverview Zorro 07-020 - DOB 03.09.07
Lil Boy 08-119 - BOD 23.08.08
Sully Alexander 10-004 - DOB 17.11.10
Sully Bartholomew 10-037 - DOB 10.09.10

All bulls “For Sale on Behalf” For more information and photos on bulls ask Helen.

Ask us about a package….. Prices vary but be in quick if you want to have some top stock for your herd.

For the full newsletter download here (PDF 1.5Mb)

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HELEN AND CHRIS RUSSELL AMBERLEA FARM
191 Millar Road, RD5, Lake Okareka, Rotorua 3076, New Zealand.
Phone: 64-7 362 8030 Fax: 64-7 362 8040 Mobile: 0274 933 881
Email:
chris&helen@amberleafarm.co.nz