Farmer Focus: Cow blood samples show mineral deficiency
Matthew Brownlee © Steffan Hill In my previous article, I mentioned my plan to blood sample cows. This has now been completed and proved to be a very worthwhile few pounds spent.
Despite having good mineral levels in the past three years, this time the three pooled blood samples revealed our herd had significantly low levels of iodine, despite continuing the exact same practices.
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If we had remained unaware of this issue, my vet said we could have ended up with calves having poor brain development and living for only minutes after birth, cows retaining placentas and cows difficult to get back in calf.
For these reasons I’m happy all cows have been given a high-iodine bolus and have had iodine applied to their backs and sides in the hope some will be absorbed through the skin and some will be licked by other cows.
I plan on applying iodine a few more times between now and calving in about six weeks. All other mineral levels were sufficient.
Co-op Farming Pioneers
I have also been in the next instalment of the Co-op Farming Pioneers programme. This is ran by the Co-op and is attended by 20 young farmers from across the UK.
On our last trip we visited a large beef finishing farm, saw the full cattle slaughtering process at an abattoir and had several updates from Co-op representatives about sales and what consumers want.
As a young farmer, I think it is brilliant to have a supermarket that wants to be actively involved with their producers and have direct links with farmers.
It can only be a good opportunity when all parts of the supply chain come together and can openly discuss what is good and bad.
Matthew Brownlee farms 121ha alongside his father. They run 100 Limousin cross suckler cows and buy in store cattle to finish.