Farm First Newsletter February 2013

 Reduced Price Liver Fluke Testing in Dairy Herds

An increased number of animals are being diagnosed with liver fluke this year and we would like to make sure that it is not a hidden problem in your herd. We are seeing it even in cows which were treated at drying off, as they could be carrying a significant burden, due to development of immature fluke not killed by the treatment or re-infection after the treatment, If cows are carrying a liver fluke burden it will cause a drop in milk yield and quality, and have effects on fertility and general health. We can carry out two simple tests to look at the risk of fluke in your herd. Firstly, a bulk milk test will look at the level of antibodies across the herd to give an indication of the level of infection this year. If this is high, and more information is required, a fluke egg mob test can be carried out on faeces from 10 of the thinnest cows, to see if there are any fluke eggs present. If they are, this would confirm the presence of adult liver fluke in the liver. If results indicate a problem, we will discuss the various treatment options with you. We have decided to subsidise the cost of post, packing and interpretation on these tests, to encourage sampling to be carried out. The total cost will be £9.20 + VAT for the bulk milk test and £38.80 for the mob test on faeces.

Colostrum Storage

We have recently come across the following product called Perfect Udder .The Perfect Udder Colostrum Management Kit is the solution for handling colostrum from harvest to feeding without the fear of recontamination, while also allowing the colostrum to be pasteurized, refrigerated, frozen, reheated and fed through a nipple or oesophageal feeder all from the same container. With its special heat conductive materials, the Perfect Udder allows complete pasteurization and also quick cooling and warming of product. A 10 bag sample pack and tube costs £22 +vat and is sold by a company called G. Shepherd Animal Health (www.gshepherdanimalhealth.co.uk) Tel. 01772 690333 / 07778 191964).

Subsidised Testing for Barren and Aborting Ewes 

If you scanned your ewes and recorded a barren rate greater than 2% you can now ask for a subsidised flock blood test to establish whether the cause of the problem was toxoplasmosis. At a time when many sheep producers are asking for veterinary diagnostic support to confirm or rule out potential Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection, it makes sense to investigate whether other diseases are present in the flock at the same time. Barren Ewe Check, the diagnostic scheme supported by MSD Animal Health, is available until 31^st March 2013. As we move into lambing time abortions may occur in your flock, and if the rate exceeds 2% investigations should be undertaken. Ideally aborted foetuses with placenta should be submitted for sampling to try to find the cause of abortion. The cost of a post mortem for abortion is £88 for foetus(es) from 1 dam and £98 for foetus(es) from 2 dams. If you are having problems, don’t just don’t just assume it’s Schmallenburg, as the other common causes of abortion will still be around and each one requires different measures to reduce the impact and prevent further cases next year. If the cause of abortion has not been identified during lambing, MSD Animal Health also supports an annual Flock Check diagnostic service, in which blood samples are taken from 6-8 aborted ewes. The 2012 Flock Check results showed once again that the most commonly diagnosed causes of abortion in sheep continue to be EAE and toxoplasmosis, despite the availability of cost-effective vaccines Over 300 samples were tested in 2012 of which 86% were positive for toxoplasmosis and 58% for enzootic abortion. Over 50% of the samples (52%) showed exposure to both these diseases.

Ewe Nutrition Pre lambing

Poor nutrition in the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy can lead to the following problems:

Ewes   -          Twin lamb disease, hypocalcaemia, mastitis.                                   

Lambs -          Hypothermia, watery mouth/rattle belly, joint ill (navel ill), pneumonia, scour.

The ewe must have enough to eat and the means to be able to eat and drink enough so consider: grazing, housing, trough space, water availability, ewe health, lamb numbers

Twin lamb disease should be considered as a warning that the flock is under nutritional stress. Survival rates of ewes with twin lamb disease are generally poor and there is an argument that the cost of treatment is better put into the remaining healthy ewes. 

Treatment options Glucose supplements oral glucose will not work as it is metabolised by rumen flora, so glucose precursors such as glycol need to be used.   Work from one XLVet practice suggests that dosing four times a day is more beneficial than the traditional twice daily regime. We now have in stock Ewe-Go a combined energy and calcium drench which costs £ 1/ dose.

Non-steroidal drugs (NSAID’s)  There is evidence to show that the complex biochemistry associated with twin lamb causes release of inflammatory factors that have an effect on appetite.  Suppressing these with drugs such as Flunixin can encourage the ewe to eat.

Inducing Birth -as the major reason for the occurrence of twin lamb disease is the presence of the lambs, inducing the ewes is often the best means of a cure.  However, this should be discussed in detail with your veterinary surgeon.

Meetings

DairyCo are holding a Dairy Feed efficiency meeting on 6^th March at: Alice Springs Golf Club, Kemeys Commander, Usk, Monmouthshire. NP15 1PP. 7:30 – 10:30pm. DairyCo and Professor Kevin Sinclair will review:

• Balanced diets for dairy cows
• Variety of protein feedstuffs
• Improving nitrogen efficiency for reduced environmental impact and improved profit
• Effects of reducing protein in the diet
• 
  

Staff News

Simeon, one of our TB testing vets, is moving on to pastures new at the end of the month when he will move to a new job closer to friends and family in the Midlands. We wish him well in his new position.

We have appointed a new vet called Gabriel Ciprés who will be starting as a TB tester at the beginning of next month. We look forwards to welcoming him to the practice.

    Farm First Newsletter December 2012

Parasite Forecast

Here is a summary of the NADIS parasite forecast. The full version can be found at

 www.nadis.org.uk .There is a risk of very high levels of liver fluke disease in Scotland, Wales and western England, and probably Northern Ireland, with a significant risk of disease across most of the UK. Localised areas that have remained wet for long periods over the summer and autumn will present a threat to livestock in any part of the country.

Sheep

 Death and disease caused by immature fluke may continue to occur into the winter. Ill-thrift and poor production caused by adult liver fluke reaches peak levels in the winter/spring, but can occur throughout the year. Sheep on fluke-infected farms will most likely need winter treatment to remove adult and immature fluke. Repeat doses are likely to be needed this year if risky pastures are still being grazed through the winter.  It’s very important to use the correct drug for the time of year and likely risk level: triclabendazole is usually the best in the autumn/winter if there is a risk of very recent infection, but not if there is any evidence of resistance to it in the fluke on your farm.

 Cattle

 If cattle were housed 6 weeks ago, a closantel or nitroxynil treatment given now should clear the cattle of infection. Cattle rarely suffer from disease caused by young immature fluke, so delaying the dose is often a practical option.

 Depending on previous treatments and grazing conditions, out-wintered cattle will probably require winter flukicide treatment this year.

PGE IN SHEEP

Watch out for: Poor growth and scour caused by worms in store and replacement lambs

 Worm challenge to grazing livestock in December may still be enough to cause disease or poor growth.  Faecal egg count monitoring of batches of lambs, as recommended by SCOPS, is an invaluable tool in controlling PGE without the overuse of anthelmintics. Decisions about dosing and further sampling can then be made with veterinary advice.

PGE in CATTLE

Prevention: All youngstock should receive a dose of wormer at housing

Prolonged housing and shortage of bedding and forage will lead to increased disease problems in stock this winter

 All youngstock should receive a housing dose of anthelmintic to treat arrested Ostertagia larvae (e.g. a Group 3/ivermectin type wormer). Any youngstock that grazed pastures carrying worms in the autumn and did not receive an anthelmintic at housing may carry Ostertagia infection through the winter. This can cause disease in the late winter/early spring (type 2 disease).

LICE IN CATTLE

Watch out for: Lice and mite infestations which are more common over the winter housing period.

 Calves may be treated for lice at housing with a pour-on Group 3 (ivermectin-type) product, primarily given as a wormer.

 Adult cattle rarely require a housing wormer, so a pyrethroid-type pour-on may be required at housing to control lice (under veterinary advice)

Paramphistomum

There is a heightened risk of acute paramphistomum infection for grazing cattle and sheep for the rest of this year.  Paramphistomum is the rumen fluke which is different to the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica.  Adult rumen fluke can be found in the rumen of cattle and sheep and are not regarded as a major risk to their health.  However immature paramphistomes can cause a severe diarrhoea in cattle and sheep grazing recently flooded, or continually waterlogged fields. These provide a suitable habitat for the intermediate snail host of this fluke species(the water snail).  Cases were reported last year in sheep in Scotland, and this year there have been two outbreaks of diarrhoea in young grazing cattle in the south west of England.  Deaths occurred in these outbreaks. Suitable treatment is more limited than treatment for the liver fluke, but oxyclosanide has been found to be effective against mature and immature infection. Two treatments five days apart may be required but overdosing must be avoided.

Sterimatic Guns – the ideal Christmas present for busy farmers

We now have Sterimatic injection guns in stock. These systems are designed for safer, cleaner injections which improve animal welfare through less abcesses, and operator safety, as needle stick injuries are less likely. The guns come in two sizes and are priced at £16.45+ VAT (pay at time) for the 6ml bottle mounted syringe and £16.90+VAT( PAT) for the 10ml tube fed syringe.

Household Flea Spray

RIP Fleas Extra is a Reliable, Instant, Protecting and complete solution to rid your home of insect parasites. RIP Fleas has a unique triple action formula, which works instantly to stop fleas. As well as rapid results, RIP Fleas also has the assurance of 12 months efficacy to keep on killing flea larvae in the home. RIP Fleas also kills house dust mites, which can be a common cause of allergies in people and pets. RIP Fleas is the highest volume presentation available and will cover the whole house. (Up to 120 square metres). We now have this product in stock at a cost of £12 (inc vat). It should be used in combination with products such as Frontline, which kill the fleas on the animal, and which we also have in stock.

Christmas Opening Hours

The office will be open for the usual hours over the Christmas and New Year Season, apart from the days listed below. Please get your medicines orders to us in good time, so that we can ensure you have what you need.

Christmas Eve, Monday 24^th December     08.30 – 1pm

Christmas Day, Tuesday 25^th December    Closed

Boxing day, Wednesday 26^th December    Closed    

New Years Eve, Monday 31^st December   08.30 – 1pm

New Years Day, Tuesday 1^st January       Closed

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your custom this year and to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy NewYear

Farm First Newsletter November 2012-11-03

£250-300/head Penalty from Pneumonia in Heifer Calves

Dairy heifer replacements are the future of your herds’ success yet unfortunately they are often low on the agenda on busy dairy farms. Data from Alex Bach a dairy researcher in Spain indicates heifer growth and health in early life has a huge impact on the productivity and longevity of animals. In his work Alex has looked at the impact of age at first calving and compared this to milk yield. He has shown if we calve heifers at a younger age they will produce more milk. His work also reveals that the higher the growth rate of calves between days 10 and 65 of age the higher the milk yield in the first 305 days in milk.

Milk recording data sourced from an XL Vet member practice confirms this work. The graph below shows that heifers that calve between 23 and 25 months produce more milk in their combined 1^st and 2^nd lactation. Heifers that calve at the optimal age are also more likely to calve again, milk for longer and be more profitable.

Some work from Northern Ireland provides some reasons as to why animals may produce less milk. Heifer calves treated for a respiratory infection pre-weaning have been found to produce 4% less milk in their first lactation, and up to 8% less in the second, compared with uninfected animals in the same herd. This combined loss  has been calculated to be £247 per head .For pre-weaning protection of dairy heifer calves and minimisation of the consequent losses due to respiratory disease we recommend essential measures to protect calf health including a feed of at least three litres of good quality colostrum within the first six hours from birth, clean and dry bedding, and well-ventilated (but not draughty at calf level), well-drained housing. In addition vaccinations are available to provide additional protection against pneumonia. Please contact us for advice on vaccination of your calves or to arrange for a practical assessment of your housing.

Abortion Questionaires – chance to win £100

A 3rd year vet student at Nottingham University is doing a research project into what prompts farmers to investigate abortions and why they don’t investigate more. We are going to put a few paper copies at reception and it only take 5-10mins to fill in. You must be a beef or dairy farmer who has had pregnant cows on the farm in the last 6 months, but you DO NOT have to have had any abortions
You will get entered into a PRIZE DRAW FOR £100 WORTH OF FARM EQUIPMENT
We would like to know what puts people off investigating, so please participate if you can .

Direct Calls to Vets Mobiles

Please note that if you want to talk to a vet about an animal that may require a visit, that it is safer to ring the office than a vet’s mobile phone. We are always happy to take calls on our mobiles if we can, but if we are at meetings or on days off, they may be switched off, or we may be out of signal and not pick up the message for several hours. We would hate a potentially urgent call to get missed in this way.

Farming Connect

If you have already used up your 5 days of subsidised advice from Farming Connect do not despair – you can now get a further 3 days of mentoring. If you are yet to take advantage of this, there is still plenty of time to get an 80% subsidy on a Whole Farm Plan. These plans can be used for us to investigate and advise on problems such as pneumonia, footrot, mastitis, cattle and sheep lameness, fertility and parasite control. If you have a problem which you would like to get to the bottom of, please speak to one of the vets to see if we could use this source of funding to help you.

TB Tests

Due to changes in the AHVLA computer system, we are now unable to print out TB tests if there have been any reactors or inconclusive reactors. In such cases you now need to contact AHVLA for copies of your test sheets. Also try to book your tests in so that there are several clear days between completion of the test and selling the animals. This will allow time for the test to be added on to the computer system, and for the vet to sign it. Sometimes the system is down and we cannot work as quickly as we would like.

MeetingsJane will be speaking on “Calf Health from Birth to Weaning ” at a Farming Connect meeting at Raglan Golf Club on15th November at 7.30pm.

Newsflash Ubro Red is now back in stock. Please ring us to place your order.

            FARM FIRST NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2012

Lungworm Risk

Remember that we are now in the lungworm risk period and that cattle of all ages can be at risk. The disease can be very severe, especially if mixed infections with BVD, IBR or pasteurella occur. Young cattle in their first grazing season are most at risk, as they have no immunity, and now they are likely to have no cover from wormers given earlier in the year. Older cattle will have immunity if they were exposed last year, but this cannot be guaranteed, so keep a close eye on them, especially bought-in cattle which may not have come across the parasite previously. Coughing is the most obvious early clinical sign, with cattle developing pneumonia and often dying if untreated. Blood and faeces samples can confirm the diagnosis, and all 3 classes of wormer can be used for treatment. Please contact us if you need advice on diagnosing or treating the condition, or for information on using vaccines to prevent it.

 Gypsum linked to Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S; slurry gas) poisoning in cattle

AHVLA have received reports of acute neurological disease, including blindness, and deaths in cattle that are very likely to be due to the inhalation of hydrogen sulphide gas from slurry. We would therefore like to raise your awareness of risk factors which result in enhanced hydrogen sulphide production and release.

Hydrogen sulphide is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of sulphur-containing organic matter, which occurs in slurry pits. The risk of hydrogen sulphide poisoning is significantly increased if the slurry is agitated, as this releases the gas and if gypsum (CaSO₄) has been used as a bedding material and added to the slurry.

Poisoning can affect both animals and people.  At low levels the gas is an irritant to eyes and the upper respiratory tract but at higher levels the gas will cause pulmonary oedema, asphyxia and death.  Reports of some cows that have been poisoned by hydrogen sulphide are of acute CCN-like nervous disease followed rapidly by death.  Some cows which survived acute nervous signs have become permanently blind. Although H2S is detectable at low levels from its odour of rotten eggs, this should not be relied upon as a means of detecting the gas because gaseous release can occur very rapidly.   It should also be remembered that the distribution of the gas within the air space will not be uniform.

Gypsum recovered from plasterboard, and waste plasterboard itself, has been used as a bedding material on some cattle farms. The Environment Agency advises that the use of waste gypsum as a bedding material is not allowed without a specific permit and that such permits are very unlikely to be granted.  http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/PS_039_Gypsum_in_animal_bedding_March_2012.pdf

Virgin gypsum has in the past been used as a desiccant on a small number of farms. This would have been purchased and used in small quantities as a light dusting not as bedding material.  These smaller quantities are less likely to enhance hydrogen sulphide generation in bedding systems or slurry systems. Backing paper from plasterboard from which the gypsum has been removed can be used as bedding in accordance with a waste exemption.

 We would advise you that the use of waste, recycled gypsum as a bedding material is not advisable and is not legal without a permit. 

New Fresh Cow Product Available

We now have in stock a new fresh cow supplement YMCP Fresh Cow ( £6.58/sachet + VAT) .Despite its name as well as being suitable for freshly calved cows, YMCP Fresh Cow will also benefit cows at all stages of lactation that are off feed, have subnormal rumen function or are recovering from surgery. A significant advantage of this product is palatability which has been put to the test by an XLVets practice. The manufacturers Nutribio claim that at least 8/10 cows will voluntarily drink YMCP Fresh Cow shortly after calving – essential if it is to work as a routine “preventative” product. The vets and their clients were particularly sceptical about this but they report “we were bowled over when more than nine out of ten drank voluntarily. Key to this was making sure that the fluid was presented to the cow as soon as possible after calving.” Voluntary intake from the bucket is best for fresh calved cows and pumping is probably best for sick cows so that a good volume of fluid is administered concurrently.

Data from studies done in the US suggest that dairy herds where all cows are routinely given a single dose of YMCP Fresh Cow at point of calving suffered:

·         Less retained foetal membranes

·         Less metritis

·         Less displaced abomasums

·         Lower culling rates.

·          

Routine Visits

For our clients who have regular routine visits please note that the visits are pre-booked in on a four- week rolling rota, so that you can have the same 1 or 2 vets each time. We are happy to be as flexible as we can to change days or weeks to fit in with seasonal work/holidays, etc, but remember that your following visit will be booked in according to the original rota as if no changes had been made. If your routines are monthly or less frequent Tracy will usually ring you a couple of days before to check.  I hope that this makes sense. If you have any queries about this please contact us at the office.

 Sheep Lameness Meeting

We are hoping to hold an on-farm practical meeting on Managing Lameness in Sheep with vet Kate Hovers. She ran an excellent meeting on one of our clients’ farms recently, and we thought that more of you should have the chance to learn from it, so we have asked her to repeat it. If you are interested, please ring the office and we will contact you when we have a date and venue organised.

Visits to A and E

Farm First Vets have been doing their utmost to keep staff at Nevill Hall A+E unit busy. Recently Jane decided one night that the foreign body she had lodged in her upper arm needed removing (apparently the penetration occurred after she fell over walking up Mount Vesuvius!). Rob was the duty vet that night and had a call to a bleeding calf. Whilst stitching the calf up, it decided to spoil Rob’s natural good looks and kicked him in the jaw resulting in a cut chin. Not being able to stop the bleeding also took himself off to Nevill Hall. He walks in with a big blood stained pad of cotton wool held to his chin only to be confronted by Jane with her swollen elbow. Anyway not one to waste time Rob hastily conducted a practice meeting to while away the hours. We even thought of ringing Natalie or Debbie to come and take some minutes, but didn’t think they would be too impressed!

Farm First Newsletter September 2012


Fluke Forecast

After the wet weather through the spring and summer, there is a high risk of liver fluke this autumn (with the risk period already upon us). In sheep, liver fluke infection causes a variety of signs ranging from sudden death through sick scouring sheep with bottle jaw to poor growth rates. Disease in cattle sometimes presents as weight loss and scour, but more commonly presents as less than optimum production.

At this time of year, the first sign you may see if you have fluke problems in your adult sheep is sudden death. On high risk farms where you are used to the effects fluke infection, you may already be on the lookout. However because of the weather conditions, this year fluke maybe a problem even on farms with little history of liver fluke disease, so be aware. One of the easiest ways to diagnose fluke infection even in sheep that have died suddenly, is to look at their livers. If you have any older/adult sheep that die unexpectedly at this time of year and you are concerned about fluke, it’s worth having a look at their livers for signs of fluke infection. If you are unsure you can bring the liver down to us and we will look at it for you (please ring first to make sure a vet is about to inspect it) We are also able to diagnose liver fluke using faeces samples and blood samples but often for acute fluke a PM on the liver is most cost effective. The abattoir is another source of information on fluke infection on your farm, if your stock are going direct for slaughter. You may have to pester the abattoir for the meat inspectors report for your stock, but it’s well worth it (and not just for information on the presence of fluke damage). As well as using strategic drug treatments, the risk of fluke infection can be reduced by not grazing the wettest, high-risk pastures during high risk periods (usually July to October). Consider temporarily fencing off these areas. If you want any more information about fluke infection, please ring and speak to one of the vets for more information.

Sudden Deaths

We are getting lots of reports of sudden deaths in adult cattle at the moment. Staggers or hypomagnesaemia seems to be the most likely cause in many of them, so ensure that your cows are receiving magnesium in some form every day. This can be in feed, water or by slow- release bolus. Licks and blocks are less reliable, as some cows don’t take them. It’s also a good idea to have bottles of magnesium sulphate to hand to treat any cows which do go down, as death can be rapid without treatment. Clostridial disease is also a common cause of sudden death and this can easily prevented with a vaccine such as Bravoxin 10. Remember that all sudden deaths should be reported to us or AHVLA, so that an anthrax enquiry can be carried out if required. These are free of charge, and should be carried out before a post mortem is performed.

Research into the Social Impact of TB

Cardiff University are currently looking to recruit 4-5 farms in the area to take part in a PhD research study.

The aim of this research will be to examine in more depth the links between policy attempts to eradicate animal disease – specifically bTB, and the impact of animal disease on farmer wellbeing. If you were to take part in the study, it would involve a series of regular meetings with the researcher over a period of 18 months. It is anticipated that the researcher will visit you on your farm every four months for a discussion covering your daily lives and practices on the farm. This should take about 1 hour at each visit. Your involvement will provide valuable information and would be greatly appreciated.

If you would like to be involved or for further details please contact Rob at the office in the first instance.

Meetings

There is an event on 20th September between 7:30 and 9:30 at the Hogs Head Pub near Abergavenny, as part of the HCC Red Meat Supply Chain Training Programme which aims to increase the amount of saleable meat produced by cattle and sheep carcases by focusing on the common issues that affect carcase value and offer practical advice on how they can be avoided. The event will highlight the importance of animal health and welfare and address the common issues that affect carcase value including- disease control and treatment/clean animals – diet and management/handling techniques to reduce bruising/over fat animals

Book your place prior to the meeting by phoning 01970 625050 or by emailing info@hccmpw.org.uk.



Poor Growth in Growing/ Weaned Lambs

Have you been looking at your lambs this year thinking to yourself that they just don’t seem to be doing as well as the ones last year? It’s tempting to put all the blame on the terrible weather. But although this may be part of the problem there are plenty of other common causes to poor growth and ill thrift – most of which we can rectify!

Common reasons for poor growth in lambs are inadequate/poor quality nutrition, intestinal worms and trace element deficiencies. Often it is a combination of several of the above that results in poor growth.

True that the wet weather reduces the dry matter content of the grass, meaning the lambs need to eat more than they would on a dry day and when its wet lambs are likely to be sheltering rather than eating. Managing pasture at this year is vital to ensure optimal grazing and reduce poaching. Ideally you want the sward height to be 4-6cm tall (pre-weaning) and 8 cm (post-weaning). If the pasture is bare, either supplement with alternative forage or concentrates. Intestinal parasites have been a real problem this year. Ill thrift in lambs can be caused by a high burden of worms and also the long term damage to the intestines that the worms can cause. This often causes continued poor weight gains well after the worms have gone. We can carry out a faecal egg count on your lambs (the so called ‘mob test’) to see if worms are a problem. Cost £18 + vat. Trace element deficiencies are another common cause of poor growth rates in growing lambs. In this area we see problems with low levels cobalt, selenium and copper and the wet weather can reduce the levels of these in the pasture further. If you are concerned about a possible deficiency then we can blood sample several lambs from the group to assess trace element status in the whole group. Please contact one of the vets at the surgery if you are concerned about any aspect of growth rates in your lambs or if you would like to carry out a mob test.

Hope to see you all at our stand at the Usk Show. Please feel free to pop along for a cup of tea and a cake (Rob has promised not to add it to your bills!)



The Team at Farm First

Farm First Newsletter July 2012

Milking Routine

Diagram of a quarter of a cow’s udder

Jane has just been on a DairyCo mastitis plan update course and one of the main discussions was on milking routine. When cows enter the parlour they have 1.5 – 3kg of milk in the cistern immediately above the teat, and will let this milk down as soon as the cluster goes on. The remainder of the milk is in the alveoli where it is produced, and the oxytocin and the milk let down reflex are required for us to harvest this milk. If the teats are not stimulated properly before the cluster goes on, the cow will not let milk down from the alveoli and after a minute or so the milk in the cistern runs out.At this point, no milk will flow and this has the same effect as leaving a cluster on at the end of milking i.e. teat end damage. This increases the risk of mastitis and high cell counts. To prevent this, cow should be prepared in batches of 5 (or up to 8), and whatever teat preparation is done, it should be done in the order of cow 1-5 each time. e.g. spray cows 1-5, wipe and foremilk 1-5, apply cluster 1-5. Although this may take longer to carry out, it may speed up milking as cows let down their milk faster, can increase yields as more milk is let down, and reduces the risk of mastitis.

Sheep Abortion Vaccines

Now is the time of year to be thinking about vaccinating your replacements against Enzootic Abortion and Toxoplasma. We now have Cevac Chlamydia Abortion Vaccine in stock, at the following prices: 50 dose pack - £114.31 (includes 10% pat discount) = £2.28/dose, 20 dose pack - £50.34 (includes 10% pat discount) = £2.51/dose. There is a free gun for purchases of 50 doses and above, and larger discounts are applied if over 300 doses are ordered. Toxovax costs £84.24 for 20 doses (PAT) or £210.55 for 50 doses. We have to order this in advance and it only has an 8 day shelf life, so be ready to use it when you order it. If you have any questions about vaccinating sheep for abortion please ring us.

Sheep Worming News.

We will shortly be participating in the XLVets Grassroots Worming Campaign and Farming Connect have also provided some funding to enable us to discuss sheep worming and resistance issues with our clients, and carry out some testing. If you are interested in this please contact us at the surgery. The 2012 SCOPS leaflet listing all anthelmintics available for sheep, can now be downloaded from the SCOPS website. http://www.scops.org.uk/alerts-detail.php?AlertID=13

We have an offer on Zolvix at present. Buy your Zolvix before 31.7.2012 and we will give you an extra 5% off the cash price for any quantity of the wormer you purchase

Normal cash price for 1 litre of Zolivix=£147                    Offer price     £139.23

Normal cash price for 2.5litres of Zolvix=£368                 Offer price    £348.08

Normal cash price for promo pack(2x1l + gun/backpack)  Offer price  £321.50

Dose of Zolvix for 25kg lamb = 2.5ml (cost =35p/lamb)

Malvern Sheep Event

NSA Sheep 2012 will be staged at the Three Counties Show Ground, Malvern on Wednesday 4^th July. The event, the largest of its kind for the UK sheep industry, will be building on its previous successes with more than 300 exhibitors and over 9,000 farmer visitors, along with international representatives from the major sheep producing countries. This year’s theme is sustainable intensification. If you go, have a look at the XLVets stand – they usually have some interesting material, and Rob will be there at times during the day, so go and ask him some testing questions.

Sheep Health and Welfare Conference - November 21, 2012

Delivering innovation with practical application for the farm at Worcester Warriors, Sixways Stadium, Worcester.This one day conference is designed to bring together farmers, industry advisers and researchers to explore the future of sheep health and welfare and the current options available.  For further details email: shwconference@nationalsheep.org.uk  

Newsflash -Visit Charges

We have decided to revamp and simplify our visit charges. Our cheapest journey band charge will now apply to many more of you, and even people who live further away will benefit from a reduction in visit charges eg. a visit to Treharris is now £31.20 plus vat.  Please ring in and speak to one of the office staff if you want to clarify what your new visit charge is.

Call for anecdotes

If you read last month’s newsletter, you will notice that several of Jane’s recent misadventures were related. I am trying to redress the balance, so if any of you have any little stories about the vets that you would like to share (especially about Rob) please share them with me (jane.anscombe000@googlemail.com). All information will be held in complete confidence - until publication in the newsletter. I look forwards to hearing from you.