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
