Before moving stock onto this lush feed, make sure that you protect them from pulpy kidney.

Pulpy kidney (enterotoxaemia) is caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens type D.

The bacteria live in the animals' small intestine in low numbers and generally do not cause issues.

However, sudden diet change to rich feed such as lush, fast-growing pastures or heavy grain feeding can cause a large multiplication of bacteria and associated deadly toxin, causing death.

The disease can affect sheep, goats, cattle and other ruminants of any age.

There are a lot of different vaccines that protect against pulpy kidney.

They include 3-in-1, 5-in-1, 6-in-1, 7-in-1 and 8-in-1, the difference between them being which other diseases they also protect against.

Different vaccine companies have different claims about how long the vaccine protects against pulpy kidney.

However, they all suggest that boosters are necessary, even in fully immunised animals, in high-risk situations.

That means a booster should be given before putting stock onto lush pasture, if the last booster was more than six months ago.

In extremely high-risk situations, a booster should be given if the previous booster was more than three to four months ago.

A fully immunised animal is one that has been given a primer vaccination followed by a booster between four and six weeks later.

The primer stimulates the immune system.

However, the booster injection is needed to provoke immunity strong enough to prevent disease.

Always remember to read the label to confirm dosages, and ensure the equipment is appropriate and in good working order.

Pulpy kidney can cause the death of ruminants of all ages on a lush diet.

Make sure that animals have enough immunity to combat the disease by giving a vaccine booster, and make sure those prime animals make it to market.