Farm News & Advice
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Extended versions of our newsletter articles can be found below.
Don’t forget that if you have a specific query you can always contact our farm team.
Mastitis sampling project
APHA is undertaking a ewe mastitis bacteriology project during the 2023/2024 lambing season. The aim of the project is to improve surveillance of the different bacteria causing mastitis in ewes and to provide antimicrobial resistance data. In addition, samples will also be used to provide surveillance for other organisms that may play a role in […]
Nematodirus battus, keep an eye on the forecast this spring…
Nematodirus is a worm that can cause sudden death and significant growth reductions in lambs. It is different to other worms because the larvae survive within the egg on the pasture, allowing infection to pass from one lamb crop to the next year’s lamb crop. This means pasture that had ewes and lambs on in […]
Further Bluetongue Update
A case of the notifiable disease, Bluetongue was confirmed in a cow near Canterbury, Kent, on 11 November, following routine testing. As of 4th Feb, there have now been 83 Bluetongue cases on 44 premises in Kent and Norfolk. Most cases have been in cattle but some have been found in sheep. Until recently all […]
Update on Bluetongue cases in UK
Update on Bluetongue cases in UK A case of the notifiable disease, Bluetongue was confirmed in a cow near Canterbury, Kent, on 11 November, following routine testing. A Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) was implemented within 10km of the case. Following active surveillance, in total 30 cases have been identified on 17 premises with 12 different […]
Liver Fluke
Liver fluke has a significant impact on beef, sheep and dairy sectors. The threat of resistance to some of the available products has started to loom large and a whole farm approach is necessary to avoid parasite challenge and make correct treatment decisions rather than dosing routinely and potentially unnecessarily. Routine fluke treatment is not […]
New Medicine Requirements
Due to new medicine regulations coming into force this summer 2023, as part of Red Tractor reviews and veterinary visits we will be agreeing a list of drugs used on farm and what they are used for. This will enable us to continue to prescribe without visiting the farm every time. We will also require […]
Vet Visit Documentation (reminder)
Changes to EU Animal Health Regulations mean that from 13 December 2023 UK producers sending animals to slaughter directly or via marker must be able to demonstrate that a veterinary visit has taken place in the past 12 months. Previously farmers could self-declare. This is an EU requirement and as at least some portion of most […]
Sheep Abortion Vaccine – supply update
September and October are the peak months for abortion vaccination and both MSD Animal Health, the makers of Toxovax and Ceva, the makers of Cevac Chlamydia, are likely to reach maximum capacity in these months and may not be able to supply 100% of product required. As these diseases cause the majority of abortions that […]
Requirement for Vet Visit Documentation
Changes to EU Animal Health Regulations mean that from 13th December 2023 UK producers sending animals to market or to slaughter must be able to demonstrate that a veterinary visit has taken place in the past 12 months and can no longer self-declare. At least some portion of most carcases is exported which means that […]
Silver is the New Blue!
Have you tried Aluspray yet? As we look to reduce antibiotic use on farms, you can use this silver aluminium powder spray in most of the same situations as the blue Cyclospray/Terramycin Spray – on caesarean wounds, after de-horning and on damaged skin following diarrhoea or urine scald. The spray contains no antibiotic but forms […]
