The Vet Clinic Wairarapa Production Animal

16/06/2026

Scanning time isn't just about counting lambs...🐑🐑🐑
Body condition scoring (BCS) is one of the simplest and most cost-effective tools available for managing ewes through pregnancy. Ideally, ewes should be heading towards a BCS of 3–3.5 at lambing, which can have a significant impact on lamb survival, birth weights, colostrum production, and overall ewe performance.

Scanning provides a great chance to identify lighter-condition ewes before it's too late. If ewes are sitting below a BCS of 3, the window to improve their condition is relatively short—often only 2–3 weeks after scanning. Drafting these ewes off and giving them priority access to feed 🍃can make a real difference before lambing.

It's also worth considering whether parasites 🐛could be contributing to poor condition. A faecal egg count (FEC) can help determine if worms are playing a role and whether treatment is warranted.

A little extra attention now can pay dividends when lambing gets underway.

If you'd like help with body condition scoring, faecal egg counts, or putting together a pre-lambing management plan, get in touch with our farm vet team.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

15/06/2026

❗❗Scanning time is just around the corner – are your ewes set up for lambing?🚨

With lambing not too far away, now is a great time to start thinking about the decisions that can make a real difference to lamb survival and ewe performance.

Pregnancy scanning isn't just about finding out how many lambs are on board. It's also a valuable opportunity to assess ewe condition, identify mobs carrying singles, twins, and triplets, and make a plan for feeding through late pregnancy.

The final six weeks before lambing are critical. Around 70% of foetal growth occurs during this period, while the ewe is also preparing for lactation and producing colostrum. As a result, her nutritional demands increase significantly.

Knowing which ewes 🐑 are carrying multiples allows you to target feed where it's needed most and make the best use of available pasture. If feed is likely to be tight, identifying that early gives you more options—whether that's sourcing supplementary feed, adjusting stocking policies, or finding grazing for younger stock.

Scanning is also a good time to think about trace element status. Deficiencies can quietly impact ewe performance and lamb vigour, so checking and addressing any issues now can help set your flock up for a smoother lambing.

A bit of planning now can pay dividends when the weather turns and the lambs start arriving.

If you'd like to discuss nutrition, trace element testing, or pre-lambing management, give our farm vet team a call 📞. We're always happy to talk sheep.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

14/06/2026

Wise words from the Wairarapa!

12/06/2026

ⒻⓊⓃ ⒻⒶⒸⓉ ⒻⓇⒾⒹⒶⓎ

Introduced from Australia in 1837 for the fur trade, brushtail possums have become one of New Zealand's most destructive pests, with an estimated population of 30 million. These nocturnal marsupials are voracious, consuming roughly 21,000 tonnes of vegetation nightly and spreading diseases like bovine tuberculosis.

Here are some interesting facts about NZ possums:
❎ Massive Environmental Impact: They are considered a premier pest because they eat native trees (like rātā and pōhutukawa), predate native bird eggs/chicks (such as kiwi and kōkako), and eat native invertebrates.
❎ The "70 Million" Myth: While populations were huge, the 1980s estimate of 70 million was likely an exaggeration; current estimates often suggest closer to 30 million, though they still occupy about 91% of NZ.
❎ Unique Characteristics: They have prehensile tails used for climbing and two specialized claws on their back feet used for grooming their fur.
❎ Colour Variations: Despite being called "black" or "silver-grey" possums, they can range from deep black to reddish-brown and silver-grey.
❎ Disease Spreaders: Possums are a significant vector for bovine tuberculosis (TB), causing major problems for dairy, beef and deer farmers.
❎ No Natural Predators: Unlike in Australia, where they are preyed upon by foxes and dingoes, NZ possums have no natural predators, allowing their population to boom.
❎ As of April 2025, the price for hand or machine-plucked possum fur in New Zealand is approximately $110.00 per kilogram (including GST).
❎ Veterinary Care: While possums are classed as pests in New Zealand, some veterinarians and rehabilitation groups treat injured or orphaned individuals, though many vets may prioritize euthanasia due to their invasive status. It is best to call ahead to your local vet clinic to ask if they take injured wildlife.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

11/06/2026

🚜 One for the ladies! 🚜

These are incredibly valuable skills to have on the farm and in everyday rural life. Whether you're looking to learn something new, build your confidence, or simply refresh the skills you already have, this is a great opportunity to upskill with a trusted and well-known training provider in the Wairarapa.

Invest in yourself and give it a go — you never know when these skills might come in handy!

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

Women’s Chainsaw Skills Training

Feedback from recent weather events was that a lot of women said they would like to be more competent using a chainsaw - so here is your chance!

Join us for a practical, hands-on training day designed for rural women of all experience levels.

📅 Monday 22 June
⏰ 8:30am–3:30pm
📍 Solway Showgrounds
$30 per person (lunch included)

The day will cover chainsaw safety, operation and handling, with expert guidance from Training Ventures Ltd in a supportive learning environment.

Bring your own chainsaw and PPE if you have them, but spare gear will be available. Steel cap boots are essential.

Spaces are limited.

👉 Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/rural-womens-chainsaw-skills-training

RURAL BLOKES - we don't want you to miss out either! If there is enough interest, we can look at putting on another training day.

Register your interest by emailing - [email protected]

11/06/2026

We've had plenty of questions following last week's post on trace element minerals, so today Dr Sara is giving us a quick rundown on IODINE.

↪️ Why we use it
↪️ When we use it
↪️ How we test for it

If you want lambs that hit the ground ready to get on with the job (rather than standing around wondering what's for smoko ☕) then this one's worth a listen.

Got questions about Iodine or your flocks mineral status? Give us a call at The Vet Clinic 06 378 2662 and have a chat with one of our farm vets - we can't promise to solve the weather ☔ but we can help with sheep 🐑.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

10/06/2026

🔬 What are our Techs looking at today?

Faecal Egg Counts (FECs) are a pretty standard part of Nicki and Hayley's day, but what exactly are they looking at down the microscope, and why does it matter?

By identifying parasite eggs, we can monitor worm burdens and pick up potential issues before they start impacting animal health and production.

Today's find is Nematodirus 🐑 – a large worm egg that's easy to spot under the microscope and can cause serious disease in young lambs.

⚠️ Signs of Nematodirus can include severe scouring, poor growth, and in some cases, death before weaning.

🔍 Regular FEC testing helps identify parasite challenges early, allowing you to make informed treatment and management decisions.

Drop in your samples today for testing or give us a call on 📞 06 378 2662 to talk with one of our friendly Farm vets.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

09/06/2026

Let's talk about something we've all seen...

You know, that bale wrap and netting that's been carefully "stored" on a fence post, only to end up decorating half the district after the first decent southerly? 🎏

While it's easy to put dealing with used plastic in the "I'll get to it later" pile, those bits of wrap and netting can quickly become a headache—for stock, waterways, neighbours, and the environment.

The good news is there are a number of organisations around New Zealand that offer collection and recycling programmes for used bale wrap and netting. Instead of ending up on fence lines or in landfill, that plastic can be transformed into useful products such as fence posts and other recycled plastic products.

Taking a few extra minutes to collect and store wrap and netting properly can make all the difference. Not only does it make recycling easier, but it helps keep our farms looking tidy and prevents stock from eating it - which is NEVER a good thing!!

A good farming operation is about more than what's happening in the paddock—it's also about looking after the land we're passing on to the next generation.
And let's be honest, the only thing that should be flapping in the wind after a southerly is your raincoat.

How do you manage your bale wrap and netting on-farm? Have you used one of the recycling programmes available - we'd love to hear your comments below on what worked, or didn't work, for your place.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

04/06/2026

Ⓕⓤⓝ Ⓕⓐⓒⓣ Ⓕⓡⓘⓓⓐⓨ

Alpacas are a unique and increasingly popular livestock choice in New Zealand, valued for their luxurious fiber and gentle nature. Here are some fun facts about alpacas in New Zealand:

⚠10% of NZ’s Herd are Rare Suris: While Huacaya (fluffy) alpacas are common, NZ holds a relatively high population of the rare, dreadlocked-style Suri alpacas, making up 10% of the national herd compared to only 3% worldwide.
⚠The "Sit or Spit" Routine: Female alpacas are known to tell males if they are pregnant by either sitting down or spitting at them to stop unwanted advances, a common herd management observation known as 'sit or spit'.
⚠Highly Efficient "Lawnmowers": They are considered excellent, eco-friendly pets because they have soft padded feet that don't destroy soil, and they tend to nip the tops of grass rather than pulling it out by the root.
⚠Communal Bathrooms: Alpacas are remarkably tidy and use a communal dung pile in their pasture, making it easy for lifestyle block owners to collect waste for composting.
⚠"Fibre of the Gods" in 22 Colours: Alpaca fiber, sometimes called "Fibre of the Gods" by the Incas, comes in 22 basic natural colours, ranging from white to black and various greys and browns.
⚠Introduced into NZ: While they seem modern, the first alpacas were actually imported to New Zealand in the 1840s (from Chile).
⚠Daylight Birthing: Almost 99% of cria (baby alpacas) in New Zealand are born in the daytime, typically between 10 AM and 2 PM, often on sunny days, allowing for easy management.
⚠Perfect Protectors: Alpacas are sometimes used as guardians to protect free-range chickens from hawks.
⚠Can Swim: Alpacas generally love water, and it is a known fun fact that they can paddle along the water's edge.
⚠Oldest Living Alpaca: As of 2025, the world's oldest living alpaca in captivity was reported to be living in Wainuiomata, Wellington, named Hawthornden Wainui.
⚠250+ Shades: While there are 22 basic colors, they come in over 250 different shades, making them a diverse and colorful part of the NZ landscape.

Who knew that Alpacas were so interesting!

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!

04/06/2026

Does my grass look minerally? 🤔 Is that even a word I hear you ask?
The truth is, no matter how good your paddocks look, you can't tell whether they contain the trace minerals your stock need to thrive. Today Dr Sara gives us a quick rundown on trace element testing.

Pre-scanning is the perfect time to take blood samples and check your flocks trace element status. Identifying any deficiencies early means you can put a plan in place and rectify them when your stock come back in for scanning.

A simple blood 🩸 test can provide valuable insights into what's happening beneath the surface, helping support animal health, productivity and performance moving into the season ahead.

Don't guess 🤷 test. Your stock will thank you for it and at the end of the day so will your bank manager 🏦.

Call us now 📞 06 378 2662 to talk to one of our farm vets or to book in some blood testing.

On Farm. On Call. On Your Side!