Setting your heifers up for future success

Located just north of Feilding in the Manawatu, Richard Sinclair milks 410 cows on 195 hectares with his wife Christine and two staff members. They have a split-calving herd, with 300 cows calving in spring and another 110 in autumn. After weaning, the calves are sent to a 116-hectare run-off located 6-7Km away and stay at the run-off until they return home to calve.

About 5 years ago, the Sinclair’s experienced mastitis in their heifers while overwintering on crop. Following advice from their veterinarian, they started using an internal teat sealant (ITS) to reduce the risk of udder infections and have had no issues with mastitis in their heifers since. Avoiding mastitis in heifers is really important to Richard. “The biggest thing for us is setting our heifers up for success. They are our best genetics and we want to do everything we can to make sure they get back in calf again. If the heifers are hampered by mastitis, it has a real flow-on effect to the second calving so an internal teat sealant gives them the best possible chance to succeed.”

In 2023, Richard used ShutOut, an MSD Animal Health internal teal sealant, for his heifers. He was really pleased with the result as it was just as effective as the teat sealant he had used the prior season and was more affordable. When making the decision to use ShutOut Richard says “’a key selling point for me is the price. Price is really important right now with the current economic climate and with inflation driving all prices up on farm.”

If someone is considering using ShutOut Richard says “It was a no-brainer for me to use ShutOut in our heifers. The flow on effect and peace of mind you have with the added security of ShutOut is one less thing you need to think about for your 2-year-olds when they are away grazing”. “Also, there is peace of mind at calving time meaning that you are not having to deal with heifers with mastitis. Anything you can do to create ease for management and for the cow is a benefit”.

AVAILABLE ONLY UNDER VETERINARY AUTHORISATION. ACVM No’s: A011866. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. Ph: 0800 800 543. www.msd-animal-health.co.nz © 2023 Intervet International B.V. All Rights Reserved. NZ-SOT-231000002.