It looks good it tastes good but does it do any good?
In the worst cases, early spring grass is a very ineffective source of fibre and essential minerals, which can result in a decline in Milk quality and fertility rates. The challenge is to keep the quality of intakes up, whatever the circumstances. Another issue to be aware of at this time of the year is […]
BVA says ‘step up vigilance’ after new virus detected in England
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has reiterated its call for heightened vigilance following confirmation by AHVLA that Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has been detected on four sheep farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex. At this early stage the virus is understood to be vector-borne (although other routes of transmission have not been ruled […]
TB pilot areas confirmed
Landowners and farmers from two carefully-selected areas are now able to apply for licences to pilot new measures designed to tackle the devastating impact of bovine TB, Agriculture Minister Jim Paice has confirmed. The disease forced the slaughter of 25,000 cattle in 2010 alone and will cost taxpayers around 1 billion over the […]
Evolution not revolution is the future approach for antimicrobial use in animals
The European Commission has recommended a holistic approach to the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance development in its Communication to the European parliament and the Council, published on 17 November. It emphasised the importance of responsible use of antimicrobials by all. This is the approach set out by RUMA (the Responsible Use of […]
EU Antimicrobial action plan must recognise importance of animal medicine
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the European Commission’s Action Plan on Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), but expressed concern that the Commission has given only qualified support for new antimicrobials for veterinary use. The Action Plan was launched today (Thursday) on the eve of European Antibiotic Awareness Day. It sets out 12 actions […]
October sees increase in bovine liver condemnation rates
With 2011 likely to see a return to levels of liver fluke last seen in 2008 / 2009, bovine liver condemnation rates of animals presented at abattoirs operated by leading meat suppliers Dunbia averaged at 26.45% for the month of October. Dunbia, which is working with Novartis Animal Health to monitor condemnation rates, […]
EU to phase out antibiotics for farm animal disease prevention, backs homeopathic remedy livestock research
The European Parliament has backed the phasing out of antibiotics on farm animals for disease prevention in order to ensure such treatments remain effective for humans. Some farmers are already using alternative treatments such as homeopathy to prevent the spread of disease among their flocks. The Parliament’s “Resolution on the Public Health Threat of […]
University of Warwick research promises five-fold reduction in footrot among sheep
Researchers at the University of Warwick have shown that proper management of footrot could cut lameness from one in ten to one in fifty sheep. The research promises a sea change in tackling the endemic disease, which causes lameness in around 9 million ewes and lambs in Great Britain each year. The work […]
Vetericyn Sponsors 4,000 Mile Road Trip
The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust announced that it has teamed up with veterinary supply brand Vetericyn and two Suffolk-based vets, Pat Sells and Laura Heaps, to deliver essential medical aid and supplies to the charity’s clinic in Sambel Kunda, Gambia. In addition to transporting supplies, the 4X4 truck driven as part of the Vetericyn […]
