Animal Health News

UK government has just announced that field trials of the deployable bovine TB cattle vaccine have moved on to the third phase.

New proposals, which are part of delivering the next phase of the government’s TB eradication strategy, have just been set out. This includes plans to continue targeted badger culling in high-risk areas. 

Making effective preparations before spring turnout, including good parasite management, vaccinations where needed and nutritional analysis, can pay dividends in the long run. Maddy Tyson, of Westpoint Farm Vets in Chelmsford, provides a to-do list to help you prepare for this key period in the farming calendar.

Ahead of the spring calving season, beef and dairy producers wanting to optimise herd health and performance need to start planning their micronutrient supplementation programmes.

Mongolia’s harshest winter since 1975 has lead to the deaths of 2.1 million head of livestock so far, due to starvation and exhaustion.

After a very wet winter and one of the warmest Februarys on record, parasite experts at the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group say the threat of nematodirus will be “extremely variable” in 2024.

Dog owners have been warned to be careful during walks and look out for the symptoms of Alabama rot after a spike of the deadly disease has been confirmed across the country.

At the beginning of this week (19th February), a ship from Brazil anchored in the port of Cape Town, with 19,000 distressed cattle aboard. The animals have been kept in appalling conditions for weeks. 

Avian influenza has been confirmed on a Yorkshire free-range farm consisting of 48,000 birds. It is the UK’s first case in months. 

With lameness being common across a range of dairy systems, causing welfare issues and financial losses, Dr James Wilson offers some guidance on prevention and control – and shares trial results from an effective alternative to formalin and copper sulphate footbath solutions.

With numerous reports of Schmallenberg appearing in early lambing flocks this season, Farmers Guide spoke to Georgina Rigby, farm vet from Cross Counties Farm Vets – part of the VetPartners group. Mrs Rigby chairs the VetPartners Sheep Clinical Interest Group and runs the Cross Counties Flock Health Club. She also has a small flock of sheep at home.

Defra is contacting individual premises under restriction to inform them of the development.