Animal Health News

First outbreak since March 2021 detected at wild bird rescue centre.

Winter indoor housing is a high-risk period for cattle and can be one of the most stressful times of the entire year. Dr Tom Barragry, veterinary surgeon, pharmacologist and adviser to Provita Animal Health, offers advice on avoiding common and costly health concerns at housing.

A dry, cool spring across most of the UK, followed by some hot, dry spells over the summer, means the liver fluke risk is generally going to be low this autumn and winter. But farmers still need to prepare in the face of changes to treatment.

Norbrook Laboratories’ technical vet offers guidance on fluke risk factors for cattle this year, understanding the fluke life cycle and how to achieve effective and sustainable control.

After the UK poultry sector was rocked by 26 avian influenza outbreaks between November 2020 and March 2021 – the highest number seen in several years – Farmers Guide looks ahead to the coming risk season and what farmers should do now to prepare.

The dry April followed by one of the wettest and coolest Mays on record resulted in a slow start to the grazing season. As a consequence, ewe body condition score (BCS) will have suffered, and it is likely that ewes will be below target for the time of year due to having to draw on body fat reserves for milk production. Downland experts explore options for supplementation…

Metabolic disorders and health issues can erase the profit potential for dairy cow farms for the year. Provita technical sales advisor George Shaw shares his thoughts.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) or calf pneumonia, is caused by several factors including infection with viruses and bacteria. Prevention is key, as treatment incurs significant costs in terms of medicines, labour and production – understand more about the importance of vaccines with Zoetis.

ADF Milking’s InVent (Intelligent Venting) system won the new product competition at this year’s Dairy Day (15th September).

Livestock producers looking to make the most of grazed forage can increase intake and digestion by 10% when supplementing pastures with a nutrient-rich forage supplement, says Dr Alison Bond, nutritionist for Rumenco.

A single case of classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy has been confirmed on a farm in Somerset, the Animal and Plant Agency has confirmed.

Natural England has issued licences for badger culling in seven new areas of England in 2021 – Hampshire, Berkshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and two areas in Shropshire.