Articles

For many spring calving herds the start of calving is less than 100 days away.  This makes it a good time to check the herd, or more importantly each cow, is on the right track for a successful calving.

A great way to share knowledge in the farming world is to visit other farms for meetings and farm walks and tours. 

Marker vaccines have been an exciting development in the control of IBR.  To understand their use some principles need to be understood.

It is important to ensure that the ERDP is met in all rations.

“I treated my stock so why have my livers being condemned?” is a common question that comes up from time to time.  There are several possible reasons and in some cases it is difficult to avoid despite doing everything right.

Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma (OPA aka Jaagsiekte) is a significant cause illness and death on many sheep farms. The number of infected farms in the UK remains uncertain, but post-mortem data on cull ewes shows it could be present on many farms without the farmer’s knowledge.

Johne’s in your sheep flock poses a risk to your beef cow herd.  This can be best mitigated by preventing co-grazing or grazing of pasture with both sheep and cattle in the same year.

Unfortunately statements on the Johne’s status of an animal, based on a single test are meaningless.

Johne’s is an increasing concern with many pedigree breeders striving to reach Risk Level 1.

Sheep, like cattle, can be affected by ergot. Ergots seen on grain and grasses are more common this year.  Assume no margin of safety for breeding stock.