|
 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)
Back to Miniature
Herefords »
|
