Animal Health

Intestinal health has been given critical importance when it comes to sustainable broiler production in a new white paper authored by the Monogastric Science Research Centre at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Sheep farmers and industry professionals are invited to a series of free events taking place in Cornwall next month to learn about the results of a pilot study exploring the potential of introducing worm-tolerant genetics into flocks.

As farmers face pressure to reduce environmental impact and antibiotic usage, the National Office for Animal Health is sharing vaccination best practice on World Animal Vaccination Day.

Sheep farmers are being encouraged to make the most of funding from the Defra Animal Health & Welfare Pathway by choosing an appropriate time to carry out the Worming Treatment Check, such as when there are lambs at pasture that require treatment, said SCOPS independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings.

Sheep farmers are being encouraged to take advantage of Elanco’s Blowfly Forecast to monitor fly populations in their area and develop a control plan ahead of rising temperatures.

Due to changing weather patterns in the UK and Ireland, blowfly season is now starting earlier, lasting longer, and becoming increasingly difficult to forecast. To help farmers prepare for the upcoming season and minimise the risk of fly strike, the British veterinary organisation NADIS (National Animal Disease Information Service) offers some advice.

Bird keepers are being urged to maintain scrupulous biosecurity standards as housing measures for poultry and captive birds are set to lift on Tuesday 18th April 2023 in England and Wales, the UK’s chief veterinary officer has announced today (11th April) following the latest assessment of avian flu risk.

A seasonal study, carried out on Islay as part of the RHASS Presidential Initiative (PI), has demonstrated that treating livestock ‘as little as possible, but as much as necessary’ for liver fluke can deliver a multitude of benefits for both animal and environmental health.

Farmers are being reminded of the risk of botulism after the disease was found to be the culprit behind the sudden death of over 100 dairy cows at a Jersey farm in December 2022.

Vets are urging farmers to vaccinate their flocks with Cevac Chlamydia early in the season to help protect their ewes from EAE (enzootic abortion of ewes) and avoid a lack of the Cevac Chlamydia vaccine anticipated later in the year.

Farmers are being encouraged to take a proactive approach when dealing with sudden reproductive loss in livestock and investigate cases to help identify any potential health risks to their herd or flock.

Farmers must be on their guard for roundworms in sheep this season by regularly conducting faecal egg counts, as data from last year revealed record peaks in worm egg counts despite a hotter than average summer.