Wright & Morten Farm Vets

20/06/2024

Planning on submitting a sheep sample for our in-house WEC? Here are some tips to help you collect the most representative sample:
•Wear gloves
•Collect from 10-15 individuals (about 5 grams each)
•Select warm, shiny samples that have flies around them
•Avoid collecting grass or other debris, as this will delay
processing
•Plan to drop-off the sample after collection, or store in a
fridge temporarily to bring the same day

Unsure when to test? Need any advice on worming? Call us at 01477571000

17/06/2024

Sheep farmer meeting - open to all

Free to attend
Tuesday 25th June, from 7pm
Holly Tree Farm, Lower Withington, Cheshire SK11 9DT BKP The Venables family
With BBQ and drinks!

Sponsored by CEVA
Presenting a short update on the emerging threat of Bluetongue and Schmallenberg - what do we know already about these diseases and can we do to prepare ourselves;
Ewe abortions - presented by CEVA
And finally the launch of our restructured Flock Health Club - what does membership involve and how could it benefit the productivity of your flock.

Let us know you're coming on 01477571000, email [email protected] or text Yasmine on 07816958011.

17/06/2024

We are pleased to introduce our new worm-egg counting packages, lasting for 12 months from initial purchase.
• 5x WEC for £75 – a £10 saving!
• 10x WEC for £150 – a £20 saving!

Testing for a worm burden through regular worm egg counts (which we offer in-house at Holly Tree) can not only help reduce costs of wormers when they may not be needed, but more importantly, targets selective treatments for animals that require it. These targeted-selective-treatments minimise the risk of emerging resistance by only treating animals with clinical signs if the worm egg count (+/- growth rates) indicate.

Performing regular WEC throughout the grazing period will help build a more robust and resilient flock when it comes to worm control. In turn, this will increase the efficiency and productivity of your flock.

For more info on worm egg counting in sheep ring us on 01477571000.

14/06/2024

SHEEP FARMERS - HAVE YOU BEEN AFFECTED BY SCHMALLENBERG THIS SPRING?
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THE IMPACT OF THE DISEASE.

The University of Nottingham is gathering feedback from farmers on the impact of Schmallenberg on sheep farmers in the UK. Data published in these reports can help demonstrate to industry and government that future interventions can be developed to help mitigate to the impact of the disease on UK farmers e.g. proactive UK control strategies and lobbying for funding for creating a vaccine.

Please can you help circulate the link to the 2024 UK lambing survey for livestock keepers from Nottingham University: This […]

12/06/2024

As the risk of bluetongue (BTV3) emerges in the UK, we encourage you to remain Aware, apply Caution and use evidence-based Tactics to mitigate risks of BTV3. All our vets are staying updated on the latest BTV3 developments on control.

For all information on Bluetongue in one place, including FAQs, upcoming farmer webinars, how to spot it and control it, please visit the Ruminant Health and Welfare website:

https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus/

31/05/2024

Preparing for Unpacking!

Unpacking season is just around the corner for many llama and alpaca herds. Worried you’ve missed something? Here are some things to consider before cria arrive:

•Pregnancy scanning – do you know who is (or isn’t!) pregnant?
•Clostridial vaccination boosters for pregnant dams
•Nutrition for dams in late pregnancy
•Unpacking kit – obstetric l**e, ropes, iodine navel dip, and more
•How to spot when an unpacking isn’t going to plan or a newborn cria may be sick.
•Colostrum supplies – powder colostrum, source of plasma if required?

Preparation in advance will aid a stress-free unpacking period. For more farm-specific advice, speak to Yasmine on 07816958011 or 01477571000.

09/05/2024

Of interest to any of our Goat keepers.....

Registration for the GVS Summer Conference 2024 is now OPEN!
🗓WEDS 26TH JUNE - THURS 27TH JUNE 2024
📍OLD SWAN HOTEL, HARROGATE, YORKSHIRE

Use this link to register for the farm walk, evening meal and conference day: https://forms.gle/dv1jbBnYzUhh3wu88

Discounted GVS room rates available until MAY 13TH; for information to book your conference hotel click here: https://www.goatvetsoc.co.uk/news/gvs-summer-conference-harrogate-june-2024/

27/04/2024

Come find us down at Alderley Park Farm (SK10 4TG) for their farm open day! As well as lambs galore, tractor rides and games, come and say hi to us in the lambing shed with our lambing simulator and colouring sheets for kids! 👋

26/04/2024

Spring is here for some of our clients! Is there any better sound than cows enjoying grass? 🐮

11/04/2024

Shared from the Cheshire NFU - they have asked for as many people as possible complete this consultation regarding: Bovine TB: Consultation on proposals to evolve badger control policy and introduce additional cattle measures.

We would like to encourage farmers to get involved - feel free to share the link. Get your voice heard. The deadline is 22nd April to submit a response. Thank you!

This site contains consultations that are run by Defra.

26/03/2024

Last week we held another successful LANTRA foot trimming course in conjunction with Embryonics. All the participants did a fantastic job and are all now qualified to trim their own cows! Many thanks to Needhams who hosted the course. If you’re interested let us know and we’ll add you to the waiting list for the next one. 🐄

19/03/2024

EVENT: CURIOUS ABOUR CLOVER?
TUESDAY 9TH APRIL 10:00am - 4:30pm
Reaseheath, Nantwich, Cheshire East , CW5 6DF

AHDB are launching a Curious about clover? campaign in April to raise awareness of the benefits of clover in farming practices, and its positive impact on the environment and livestock nutrition. The day will feature expert speakers and cutting-edge research to help understand the value of clover, dispel some myths, and find ways it can be of benefit to farmers.

Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon refreshments will be provided so booking is essential.

TO BOOK A PLACE PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK: https://ahdb.org.uk/events/cheshire-curious-about-clover

AHDB Beef and Lamb AHDB Dairy

15/03/2024

If you get lambs or calves that:

• Are born small, weak, deformed or blind. ('Dummy calf or lamb').
• Are stillborn and deformed.
• Die within a few days.

This could be caused by bluetongue virus, Schmallenberg as well as bovine virus diarrhoea or border disease in sheep. Contact your private vet immediately to investigate so they can submit the relevant samples for testing.

Did you know we offer FREE Schmallenberg virus testing? You can ask your private veterinarian about this or contact your nearest APHA veterinary investigation centre (VIC). You can find our VICs here: http://apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/surveillance/diagnostic/national-network.htm?fbclid=IwAR1Hgb27EY57dfmFCnAC2sx1zEvl-0FmhY-mEVpd3Eb68qmfuzhcg9QN2x4

15/03/2024

Calving is well under way! All the hard work has paid off in preparing for the calvng season.

12/03/2024

Struggling with pneumonia control? Here are Morgan and Vicki, two of our fabulous vets using broncho-alveolar lavage to take samples from a sick calf. This forms part of an in-depth pneumonia investigation that allows our team to build a bespoke control programme for your farm.

10/03/2024

Happy Mother’s Day to all of our lovely clients! I (Hollie) saw this quote on a tour of an Aberdeenshire dairy farm many years ago and it’s stayed with me ever since.

08/03/2024

HAVE YOU GOT THE BEST COLOSTRUM POWDER FOR THE JOB? 🐑🐄🥛

Colostrum replacer manufacturers don’t have to follow any statutory quality requirements like vet medicines do so read the label to check you are getting value for money.

The main reason we give colostrum is to provide antibodies (which protect lambs/calves from disease) and energy. If the product you buy provides neither of these it’s a poor investment for your lambs. For powders which appear cheaper, tend to have lower antibody content, you could be paying more £ per gram of antibodies. Simply increasing the volume fed of cheaper colostrum with low antibody content to compensate won’t help as this can result in milk scours and make lambs even poorlier.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE COLOSTRUM POWDER LABEL:
🥛 Ingredients should be listed by order of inclusion – colostrum should always be top of the list (poorer quality powders may list ingredients such as whey protein first).
🥛 Needs a high fat content for energy – should contain 15 – 22% fat
🥛If the IgG content is listed (this is actual antibody content – the proteins your lamb needs to protect their immune system!) – should be at least >30%

If unsure our vets can evaluate colostrum labels for you or the colostrum powders we stock on the shelves will also always be of the highest standard of antibody content.

06/03/2024

Animal health & welfare grants 2024 update

This year the funding available is split into 3 separate grants (productivity, slurry and animal health and welfare equipment) and more total funding is available. The maximum grant amounts for productivity and slurry is now £50,000 per theme although the equipment grant remains at £25,000. The grant amounts per item have mostly increased as well from last year and various new items have been added following feedback! Once again multiple windows for application will open throughout the year so keep an eye out for these on the DEFRA farming blog. A new way of applying to get the grants should make things quicker and easier as well.

For the animal health and welfare items applications are scored on contribution towards Animal Health & Welfare Pathway Priorities and scores can be increased by 20% if you can demonstrate you have discussed your application with a vet. If you need any help with applications or want to discuss what would benefit your farm the most please give us a call on 01477 571000 and we will all be more than happy to discuss your needs. Using money available through the Animal Health & Welfare review these discussions can also be fully government funded!

More information can be found at

Updates from Defra's Farming and Countryside Programme

04/03/2024

HUSKVAC LUNGWORM VACCINE 🐄💊💉
If you are vaccinating your cattle youngstock for lungworm🪱 this Spring, contact Katie in plenty of time to order your doses.
This is a live vaccine which needs using very soon after being obtained. Contact us ASAP so we can order in the number of doses you need, when you need it.

Huskvac is available to order in boxes of 12 doses only. Youngstock prior to their first season grazing need 2 doses 4 weeks apart, completed at least 2 weeks prior to turnout.

Need lungworm vaccination advice or want to order doses? Speak to us on 01477571000. ☎

29/02/2024

Thank you all who joined us at our 'TB or not TB?' meeting last night, discussing the plans for the area regarding TB control and badger vaccination.

If you have further questions about TB testing or badger vaccination don't hesitate to speak to our vets on 01477 571000.

27/02/2024

The threat of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) puts enormous stress on farmers and is a significant cause of anxiety. If you're worried about TB in your herd, FCN is here to listen and support you.

FCN's FarmWell platform contains lots of helpful information around bTB, including:

✔️ An interactive map to advise farmers and landowners on cases of TB in cattle and dates of outbreaks in your local area
✔️ Guidance on contingency planning for bTB
✔️ Useful contacts and additional information

Access these resources here: https://farmwell.org.uk/tuberculosis-tb/

TB Advisory Service is also a great resource, offering free bespoke, practical and cost-effective advice to all eligible farmers in England to help reduce the risks associated with TB: https://www.tbas.org.uk/

27/02/2024

One of our clients, Niamh and her search and rescue dog Vesper have been nominated for Crufts Hero dog of the year. Would be great to get them some votes!

Please vote for them if you’d like too! You can vote at https://crufts.org.uk/whats-on/the-kennel-club-hero-dog-award/

"Vesper, originally named Venom, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois, was deemed unsuitable to become a police dog. While she excelled in all other aspects, running at criminals for a cuddle is not the expectation of a police dog!

Niamh Darcy, a dog handler from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, took a chance on Vesper in 2020 when she was 18 months old. After a 48 hour trial under arduous selection conditions, Vesper performed flawlessly and their bond as a team was solid - and Vesper joined Niamh as her canine search partner. They went from strength to strength, achieving their qualified status as a search team; an asset available to be mobilised to searches of structural collapse across the UK. In 2023, Niamh and Vesper were part of the chosen UK International Search and Rescue Team and were deployed by the Government to aid in the rescue mission following the horrific earthquakes in both Turkey and Morocco, where they worked tirelessly to locate survivors.

Vesper quickly became an integral part of this brave and dedicated team, working around the clock, using her nose to locate survivors trapped under the rubble. "

https://youtu.be/qTX5h10UtxI?si=OCLrDuj7sBGh_kTn

The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award honours the distinctive bond between humans and their dogs, emphasising their significant role in our daily lives.

23/02/2024

TB Farmer Meeting

Weds 28th Feb 7pm
Open to all clients - free to attend
Food included!

Lower Withington Village Hall, SK11 9DX

With presentations from TB specialists from APHA and the Cheshire
Badger Vaccination Programmes.

14/02/2024

See below for upcoming courses and meetings at W&M! To book in or for more information contact Holly Tree on 01477 571000.

13/02/2024

Pancake Day at WM farm vets - thanks to our local farmers for the ingredients! 🥚🥛🧀

06/02/2024

🐑Beginner's Lambing Course🐑

⭐Weds 21st Feb 10.30am - 1.00pm
⭐Price £90 pp (inc VAT)
⭐In person at Holly Tree Farm with vets Helen Lyons and Yasmine Cooper
⭐Includes lunch, kindly sponsored by CEVA.

To register your place give us a ring on 01477 571000.

19/08/2022

Happy Friday!

What are you and your fur babies up to this weekend?

21/07/2022

It's back for the Summer! 3 for 2 on all Vetpro products! Mix and match your favourites.

Shop now on the My Family Vets Shop!

*Cheapest item free, offer valid until 31st August 2022.

12/05/2022

Heatwave incoming! 🌡️ Are you planning on taking your dog away to the beach this weekend? Does your dog get nervous whilst travelling? Or perhaps your cat or dog will be staying in a kennel or cattery if you are away this weekend.

All of these situations can cause anxiety in pets, however Vetpro can help! Vetpro Stress & Anxiety Capsules:

🌿 Calms behaviour
🌿 Are fast acting
🌿 Helps reduce stress
🌿 High strength
🌿 No sedative effect
🌿 Easy to administer sprinkle capsules

And for a limited time, we have 3 for 2 on all Vetpro products over on the My Family Vets Shop! Follow the link below to shop

https://bit.ly/38nq9lq

04/05/2022

OFFER ALERT! 🤩 IT'S BACK! Get 3 for 2 across the WHOLE Vetpro range on the My Family Vets Shop!

You can mix and match any Vetpro products, including; Stress & Anxiety, Joints & Mobility with Omega-3s and Healthy Skin & Glossy Coat! Follow the link below to shop!

http://bit.ly/34QoqY1

28/04/2022

It's International Guide Dog Day! 🦮

A day to celebrate all of the amazing service dogs out there who help their owners every day. Do you know any service dogs who you will celebrate today?

20/04/2022

When you realise it's already Wednesday! *Two more sleeps until it's Friday again*

11/04/2022

11/04/2022

It's National Pet Day! Will you be doing anything special for your pet today?

03/04/2022

Hit like if you agree 💗

30/03/2022

🐶💗

28/03/2022

Is your dog super active? If so, you may want to support their joints with Vetpro Joints & Mobility with Omega-3s!

Providing advanced support to aid your pet's joints, developed with veterinary orthopaedic specialists. A fast acting natural supplement containing market leading levels of Omega-3s EPA & DHA, scientifically proven to aid joints and flexibility to support a pet’s freedom of movement.

Follow the link below to shop!
https://bit.ly/37udxK1

26/03/2022

It's Caturday again! Tell us your cat's name below and show us their best photo 😊