Parasites can be detrimental to animal health and performance. Given the huge variation and local unpredictability of weather seen across the country this year, it will be hard to predict the affect this may have had on parasite survival rates. All grazing cattle are exposed to gut worms and consequently can suffer production losses; younger… Read more »
Early season grazed grass is one of the cheapest and most nutritious feeds for ruminants. By mid-May, it is usually growing well and good gains in lambs and cattle are easily achieved, with nutritive values often higher than many concentrate feeds (up to 24% protein (DM), around 80 D-value and 12.5 ME MJ/kg DM). Adequate… Read more »
Striking the right balance between monitoring and targeted treatments is essential to ensuring the responsible and sustainable control of roundworms, and other parasites, in cattle and sheep. The economic burden of internal parasites in UK livestock is estimated to be £270m annually1. This includes not just the direct costs, such as treatments administered, but also… Read more »
Historically we could forecast the blowfly strike risk period with a reasonable degree of certainty but as our weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, many more of us are being caught out earlier than ever. The impact on the welfare of those affected is clear, but are you also aware that the estimated cost of replacement,… Read more »
If you’re wondering how to groom a dog, you can get started at home with a little knowledge and some tools. Your pet may like it as well. Establishing an in-house grooming routine can be comforting, while promoting their health and quality of life. They may also get some extra praise, pets, and positive-reinforcement; if you’re… Read more »
Sometimes it can be hard to get your pet to eat their complete and balanced dog food. There’s a big difference, however, between a canine who is a finicky eater, and one who stops eating altogether. So, if you’re wondering, “Why won’t my dog eat?”, follow these tips to identify the source of the problem and… Read more »
This year’s high liver fluke risk is also pre-disposing cattle to black disease. (1) Farmers should consider clostridial vaccination and appropriate fluke control to help avoid potentially serious livestock losses. Associated black disease is emerging as a significant and potentially catastrophic issue. The tissue damage caused by flukes migrating through the liver provides an ideal… Read more »
Scour remains the most common disease of calves prior to weaning. It therefore has the potential to considerably impact herd and farm performance. Treatment costs and calf mortality are significant at the time of the outbreak, but just as important can be poor growth rates and delayed finishing times. These are seen when severe cases,… Read more »
That time of year has come round again with lambs starting to fill the fields of the UK. All the effort that has been put into keeping your ewes in good condition through the cold, wet winter before lambing. Your colostrum management systems have been put into place to ensure that all the lambs are… Read more »
The importance of trace elements for lambs: Cobalt: Important for production of vitamin B12 by rumen micro-organisms which is used for extracting energy from feed and optimising growth, weight gain and vitality. Selenium: Vital for muscle development and the function of the immune system. Iodine: Vital for the development of the thyroid gland and production of thyroid hormones… Read more »