Sheep & Beef

OUR APPROACH

We work with you to know your animals and your farm inside out.

There’s a long history of sheep and beef farming in these parts. Our involvement goes back generations too. We understand what it’s like to farm these parts and the nuances of the land and environment that affect the performance of your flock or herd.

Keeping an eye on animal health parameters that influence optinal ewe performance, lamb survival and lamb growth rates is one of the ways we work closely with you. OviMax is a specially designed trace element monitoring programme, in which certain trace elements are tested at important times in the season to enable us to better understand what your stock may need or benefit from. Our veterinarians can provide beef farmers with BVD eradication and control programmes, tailored for your farm, which can then increase pregnancy rates and decrease stock losses. Specific animal health calendars can be formulated for your farm to ensure important vaccines, drenches and trace element supplements are not missed. We’re involved with many monitor farm groups and discussions, and can provide up to date and accurate information for your farm and stock.

OviGold is a special discount programme which can provide you with up to 7.5% off many products in our shop plus reduced lab fees and free Faecal Egg Counts, post mortems and ram palpations.

THE BENEFITS

Why VetSouth is a great choice

We're locals

We’ve been in the lower South Island for decades. It’s where we’re from and where we raise our families.

Wide network

We’re plugged into the Veterinary world and our team can call on expertise from all over the world, then deliver it locally.

Handy clinics

We’re close to you for consults, supplements, supplies...whatever you need. Pop on in or organise a delivery.

   

INNOVATION & RESEARCH

A never ending quest for improvement and advancement

Researching animal welfare and pathology is a passion we share, with our work being used by industry bodies such as Dairy NZ, the Sustainable Farming Fund and Beef & Lamb.

FURTHER READING

Latest news

Meet the vet flock: Holly

Hi, I’m Holly, a mixed animal vet based between Gore and Tapanui. I have been with VetSouth for almost 2 years now, after graduating from Massey University in 2021.  Having moved to Gore withoutRead more

'Mop up' parasites by cross grazing

If you farm various species of animals, you have a great advantage when it comes to managing parasites.  The majority of parasites will only affect the one species that they like. So, if they areRead more

Ensure every drench counts!

Youngstock performance has a massive impact on your bottom line and effective parasite management has a massive impact on youngstock performance! Drenching is part of effectively managing parasitesRead more

Working dog nutrition: feeding for breeding

Only dogs in optimal condition should be bred. Poor nutrition can result in poor conception rates, early embryonic losses, congenital deformities and poor neonatal survival. Overfeeding in earlyRead more

Are your lambs fit for transport?

As you gear up for weaning, ensuring your lambs and cull ewes are 'fit for transport' is key to protecting their welfare, your farm (and your back pocket)! It is also important for public health andRead more

Uddering 101

With weaning fast approaching, it can be tempting to squeeze as many 'yard' jobs in as possible to reduce the amount of times you have to muster up your flock.  However, it pays to hold off on udderRead more

Stress-free weaning: reducing the pneumonia risk

The most common form of weaning in NZ is abrupt weaning. This is the sudden and complete separation of the ewe and her lambs, avoiding visual, auditory or olfactory contact after weaning.  AbruptRead more

Ram selection: know what you want for your future farm

With ram sales around the corner, now is a great time to reflect on how well your stock are performing and where gains can be made. Time on the tractor can be well spent thinking about how lambingRead more

Inside the lamb shed

A comprehensive guide to setting up a successful lamb rearing shed. Lambing is always hectic and once the season starts you won’t have the time to keep dashing out for essentials. If you are goingRead more

A case of nitrate toxicity

Last winter, we were called out to a farm in Southland after a farmer found several dead sheep and others staggering around, as if drunk, on a kale crop. Suspecting nitrate toxicity, the farmer movedRead more

Triple drench resistance remains high

Another faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) season has come to a close and we have had some interesting and concerning results, showing continued high levels of resistance to triple combinationRead more

Barber’s Pole worm found in Southland

Haemonchus contortus, also known as Barber’s Pole worm, has been found in sheep in Southland this autumn.  Previously, it was believed that the region was Haemonchus-free, until I headed out toRead more
 

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