One of the UK’s top Texel sheep flocks talks the benefits of bolusing at pre-tupping.
The Ballynahone Flock at Tobermore was founded by Richard Henderson in 1990, and has since gone on to become a top performer in the show and sales rings across the UK and Ireland.
Bolusing Texel sheep
Richard is focussed on producing quality sheep that can perform on grass. The flock is grazed on land deficient in selenium and iodine, so Richard boluses his Texel sheep and crossbred recipient ewes with ANIMAX Tracesure Sheep 6 weeks before tupping and then again 4 weeks before lambing. Copper is not provided, given that Texels are known to be susceptible to copper toxicity. Richard also boluses his crossbred ewes which are used as recipients for embryos.
In the 2017/18 season Richard’s Texel sheep achieved a scanning percentage of 175%.
“Sheep fertility is fantastic, there is a great holding to AI and to the embryos,” Richard says. “The lambs are born strong and healthy and are quick to get up. Tracesure is a big factor in terms of achieving lamb vigour and ease of lambing. They are strong at birth and quick to get up and suck.”
Bolusing Limousin cows
Richard also runs a herd of pedigree Limousin cattle, and says the key to profitability in suckler production is producing a calf every year. Bolusing before turnout and housing has helped Richard overcome the impacts of trace element deficiencies on fertility.
“If a cow is calving down every year, it means you are not losing money on her, she is not standing there stale,” he says. “The Tracesure Cattle with Copper keeps the cows more productive. Calves are stronger and up quicker to suckle, they never look back,” says Richard.
