Is extra calcium at pre-calving going against the grain?
Two pedigree Holstein herds suffering crippling milk fever and retained foetal membranes have seen a complete transformation in results when a new concept in dry cow nutrition was introduced via pre-calver feed on their units. Mac Dunlop, who farms an 8,300 litre, autumn calving herd near Larne in Northern Ireland, suffered terrible problems with milk […]
University of East Anglia research could contain infectious disease outbreaks
Focusing on the avian flu virus strain H5N1, research published today in the journal PLOS ONE identifies key stages in the poultry trade chain which lead to its transmission to other birds, animals and humans. High risk times for the disease to spread include during transportation, slaughter, preparation and consumption. It is hoped that the […]
Edge area strategy a sensible approach to bovine TB
Defra has today announced measures that will be put in place in the areas surrounding the high incidence areas in the south and west including increased levels of TB testing of cattle in the wake of a new TB outbreak and targeted use of badger vaccination, as well as projects to determine the level of […]
RUMA challenges claims of ‘staggering’ impact on human health from farm antibiotics
RUMA is disappointed that an inaccurate press release from the Soil Association led to these reports in The Sunday Times and The Daily Mail. Mr FitzGerald said that research into antibiotic resistance in The Netherlands had initially suggested a link between resistant bacteria in humans and poultry and had estimated the number of deaths that […]
Vet associations cautious as TB tendering plans revealed
The new model, covering England and Wales, will include: Contracts being awarded to approximately ten Delivery Partners to supply a flexible package of veterinary services, including TB testing and other government-funded services, such as brucellosis testing, on the basis of regional or national lots; The procurement of a single supplier responsible for providing a comprehensive […]
Lungworm could be a threat following storms
Other highlights from the forecast, which is issued to vets and SQPs in the UK, include a lower risk of Parasitic Gastroenteritis (PGE) among sheep, lower snail infection rates for liver fluke and a continuing risk of blowfly strike. The period between August and October sees a heightened risk of clinical lungworm disease. The hot, […]
Research project investigates sheep nutrition
Nutritional recommendations for ewe diets were developed around 50 years ago, yet much has changed in terms of breeds used, ewe weights, productivity and birth-weights. Currently, there is a reliance on the use of soya bean meal – an expensive and imported protein source. This project aims to provide evidence of how substituting some of the […]
Surveillance cameras reveal how frequently badgers enter farms
Surveillance cameras installed on 75 farms in the south west have captured footage of badgers visiting farms a part of the Farm Assessment Toolkit project by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) to help farmers take steps to ‘badger-proof’ farm buildings and reduce the risk of tb spreading from wildlife to their herds. […]
12,000 cattle slaughtered in first four months of 2013 due to bovine TB
12,061 cattle were compulsorily slaughtered in Great Britain during January to April 2013 due to bovine TB, new figures published by Defra reveal. In England alone, 9,503 cattle were slaughtered due to the disease. Farming minister David Heath said: “Once again these figures show the very real need to stop TB from its relentless march […]
