Articles
Docility Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs)
Research from around the world has been reviewed by Alison Glasgow now with the Limousin Society. Her report showed animals can be bred to be more docile, particularly when handled and that animals with higher Docility EBVs were:
Read More >What Can Be Done About OPA/Jaagsiekte?
OPA (Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma) also known as Jaagsiekte is a tumour within the lungs of sheep caused by a virus. Infected sheep are typically thin, lag behind the rest of the group when gathered and often struggle to breathe.
Read More >Benefits of Analysing Your Silage ASAP
Analysing your silage, both pit and bales, five to six weeks after it has been made can be extremely valuable. It can tell you the following:
Read More >What problems are cropping up regularly in the vet labs?
Investigation of sheep abortion kept the labs busy during spring. With lambing over for many people the top three diagnoses were EAE – 79, Toxoplasmosis – 62 and Campylobacter – 34. EAE and Toxoplasmosis take the top two places year after year bringing home how many lambs could be saved if ewes were vaccinated.
Read More >The future uses of UAV in agriculture
The news recently has had numerous articles of the use (and mis-use) of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles). Commonly referred to as ‘drones’, UAV are now used in many industries, as well as increasingly used out of simple interest or for recreation activities. Land management is no different, and UAV are now used in many applications, with the potential for much more use in the future.
Read More >Make the most of grass by managing your worm control programme
Plan ahead before turnout to ensure you’re on top of parasite control, as high worm burdens can significantly affect growth rates.
Read More >Benchmarking brings better efficiency
By benchmarking farm performance using resource efficiency tool AgRE Calc©, previous Farming for a Better Climate beef and sheep focus farm hosts David and Morag Houstoun at Glenkilrie in Perthshire, were able to save around £11,000 through small changes to current practices, and knocked around 10% off their carbon footprint.
Read More >Sheep update
The number of diagnoses of parasitic gastroenteritis (i.e. worms) made during December was 70% higher than any of the previous three years. The mild November may have had a part to play as could the high levels of cobalt and selenium deficiency found during the autumn
Read More >Practical use of potash on the farm
Potash (K) is an important nutrient for crop growth. Any potash removed by a crop should be replaced, so that soils do not get run-down. It is important to have a regular programme of soil analysis in place in order to monitor the nutrient status of your soils: if a field is low in potash then you will know to apply more to it.
Read More >Cryptosporidium in cattle, are things getting better or worse?
Cryptosporidium is one of the major causes of scour in young calves. It accounts for approximately half of the neonatal diarrhoea cases investigated by SAC C VS. The peak of cases occurs in May, coinciding with susceptible spring-born calves.
Read More >Sign up to the FAS newsletter
Receive updates on news, events and publications from Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service