On a fine but chilly start to the day, the Ennerdale cattle made their way to the yards for a routine checkup, annual vaccination and drench.

We give Ennerdale Cattle an annual injection of 7-1, for the prevention of enterotoxaemia (pulpy kidney disease), tetanus, black disease, malignant oedema, blackleg and leptospirosis. It is important for all cattle breeders, commercial or hobby to treat their cattle with 7-1 annually.

We would usually have then also used a backline drench but this year changed to an injectable, only because have we had a higher rainfall in our area since the drought broke last year. We were concerned about liver fluke, which we have previously treated with a pour on drench.  The injectable will cover all stages of fluke and is therefore more efficient than the previous drench, which only covered certain stages of Fluke. It is best practice to wait for a few good frosts to kill fluke larvae prior to yarding and treating the cattle. Your local rural shop is the best place to learn information and what is best for your area.

The cattle are looking at their best with their full winter coats on. The girls are also ready to start calving soon, so looking very round! We are also proud of our newest member to the clan. Kenzy a 10-month-old Rescue German Shepherd. Kenzy had the supervisors’ seat, to oversee the morning’s events.