Vet warns be careful when cutting costs

Dairy farmers should analyse what they are spending on animal health, before cutting costs, a Hawera vet says. "I've heard of people saying really stupid things like 'don't teat spray, that'll save you money'. That's absolutely ludicrous. "Farmers should compare what they are spending in the different categories with what is being spent by the average farmer, he says. Mr Hopkinson worked out what his clients spend their money on and discussed animal health and related the costs in a seminar last week reports The Taranaki Daily. "The average spend of our clients on animal health is $71 a cow, which is bang on the Taranaki average. It's also the national average. It varies from region to region." The single biggest cost is $10 a cow for magnesium, which is one cost farmers can cut back on, he says. The second biggest spend was vet fees. The figure of $9.50 a cow includes both prevention, such as pregnancy testing, and the treatment of sick cows. Having healthier cows would save on the vet's bill, Mr Hopkinson says. Mastitis came in next at $8.50. "That's one that farmers could definitely save money on. That ranges from $4 to $13 per cow, so if everyone was down at the $4 level - that's saving quite a bit. The $6.50 per cow cost of dry cow therapy is one farmers shouldn't compromise on, he says.