Preparing for a Relief Milker

12/06/21 • 17 min

Anexa Veterinary Services In One Ear & Out The Udder Podcast

In this episode of Anexa’s Podcast, In One Ear and Out the Udder, vet Emma Franklin chats with Dairy Farmer and Operations Manager Sam Owen about some steps you can take to get prepared for relief staff milking your herd this summer.

Sam talks through some of the systems they use on their farms to match and manage the expectations of the herd owner and the milker in order to minimise the risk of things going wrong when relief staff are on board. Emma and Sam also discuss what measures you can have in place just in case things don’t go well, as even the best laid plans might be tripped up by Murphy’s Law!

This podcast is a bit longer than our previous episodes, but we know how important it is for all staff to get time off the farm, so have a listen and make sure that your well-earned holiday is truly the break you deserve and doesn’t lead to any unnecessary stress for you, your cows or your relief milker!

Previous Episode

Calves - from weaning to grazing

In this episode, Emma Franklin chats with Emma Bullock (yes, both vets are called Emma!) about calf vaccinations, drenching and feeding meal to your calves after weaning off milk. They explain which diseases your calves might be vaccinated against, and when those vaccines should be given. They talk about the practical aspects of drenching calves for worms and a few pointers about why feeding meal is recommended. They sum up with the importance of managing stressful events in a calf’s life so your calves can thrive and reach their potential.
For more information talk to your vet or check out Anexa's youngstock resources here https://anexa.co.nz/farm/dairy/young-stock/

Next Episode

Facial Eczema 101

In this episode of Anexa’s Podcast, In One Ear and Out the Udder, vets Emma Franklin and Margaret Perry-Hallam present ‘Facial Eczema 101’. They give an overview of what causes facial eczema and explain when and how the sporidesmin toxin causes disease. They discuss prevention strategies including zinc supplementation as well as the importance of spore counting to know the specific risks on your farm.

Emma and Margaret share some of their experiences of the disease on farms around the Waikato. 2021 was an unusual year for facial eczema, causing some farms to have major clinical outbreaks in early January yet farms were still seeing late-season cases into May. Listen to this podcast to make sure you are prepared and ready for whatever 2022 brings so we can minimise the impact of this disease on your animals and your farming business.