Health Planning [BE.RA.HP]

Parasite Control at Winter Housing

The unseasonal autumnal weather in October and record high temperatures at the start of November across the country have allowed farmers to delay housing of stock. However, with a recent…

Quarantine for Bought in Stock – Q & A

Buying in stock is common practice on many beef and sheep farms especially at this time of year with many breeding sales taking place across the country. However whether you’re…

Sheep in pens at a show with rosettes on pens

Biosecurity for Livestock at Shows

Summer livestock shows are in full swing again across the country. For all livestock exhibitors whether you are new to the show ring or returning after a two-year absence, biosecurity…

Technical Note (TN 743): Johne’s Disease In Cattle

Johne’s disease (also known as paratuberculosis) is an infectious wasting condition of cattle and other ruminants. It results in progressive damage to the intestines of affected animals and in cattle results in profuse and persistent diarrhoea.

While cattle remain susceptible to infection throughout their life, they are at their most vulnerable in the first few months of life. The advanced clinical signs of the disease (diarrhoea and weight loss) are rarely seen in cattle under two years of age. Most commonly these clinical signs are seen in cattle aged three to five years.

Keeping Water Clean For Livestock

With cattle now out to grass, it is worth remembering to empty and clean out water troughs to stop stale and potentially dirty, contaminated water sitting in troughs until cattle are housed again.

Johne’s Disease – Control Options Post Turnout

Johne’s disease causes significant financial loss within beef herds reducing fertility and productivity. It is also a significant welfare concern because clinically affected animals have severe diarrhoea and suffer from weight loss. Early detection and removal of infected stock from the herd is a crucial part of controlling the disease.

Cattle Health Factsheet

This factsheet aims to highlight the general considerations for cattle health and what to look out for. It should be used as a guide for when to seek veterinary advice, rather than being used to decide when an animal requires treatment. However, prevention is better than cure as once an animal has become ill, any treatment may only be symptomatic, not curative.