The weather has turned extremely variable and heavy rain is forecasted for Tuesday and the end of the week.

Suckler farmers should be on red alert for early signs of cows taking grass tetany and pneumonia in young calves.

Pneumonia

One minute, it is sunny and warm, the next it is cold and extremely wet. As such, young calves will be under extreme stress trying to cope with the weather.

As calves become stressed, they are more prone to developing pneumonia. Most at risk will be calves born during August. These animals will be too young to vaccinate for respiratory diseases.

Spring calves are also be susceptible, so keep a close eye to these animals also. Check calves at least three times per day, in the morning, at noon and in the evening.

Additional checks are advised if there is time to do so. Graze cows with young calves as close to the yard as possible to ease observations.

Make sure the medicine cabinet is stocked up with products to treat calves as soon as they show any sign of laboured breathing or blowing.

Tetany

Changeable weather increases the risk of grass tetany. Most at risk are freshly calved animals, older cows with strong calves at foot, cows suckling twins and cows with dairy breeding and producing high yields of milk.

Where cows are grazing lush, wet swards, make sure they are well covered for magnesium, especially if swards received slurry or a high-potash fertiliser recently.

Do not hold lactating cows on low grass covers, or force them to clean out paddocks, as this also increases the risk of tetany.

Cows should be moved to fresh grass regularly. Offer one lick bucket for every 10 cows in grazing groups. Move the buckets if there is little sign of cows using them.

Offering autumn cows 2kg/day of a high magnesium nut will help reduce the risk. Feeding on top of grass will prevent the need for a trough.

Offering a few flaps of hay, or straw, will increase fibre intake, slowing down digestion rates so cows can absorb magnesium from forage better.