09/10/2025
Autumn conditions after a dry Summer.
We are seeing a few odd cases in our farm animals this Autumn after a prolonged dry period.
1. Acorns - there has been a bumper crop of acorns this year, with problems potentially seen in all speicies. Many farmers are supplementary feeding hay or silage to discourage acorn ingestion. Some, frustratingly are housing animals due to the sheer amount of acorns on their farms despite grass finally being available. Clinical signs often are shown after the damage is done, so close monitoring and preventing exposure is most important. Horse keepers should pay close attention to horses especially fat horses on starvation paddocks with acorns present, in such cases acorns should be swept away or areas electric fenced off. Signs can range from mild gut irritation through to kidney failure and death, once clinical signs are present. Supportive treatments (fluids, B vitamins, Charcoal) can help in early, mild cases.
2. Autumn Nematodirus - Due to a prolonged dry spell, many lambs, especially on dry farms are at risk of late Nematodirus. Grass growing weather is worm growing weather, and many farmers, on dry farms are finding that lambs are only needing their first worm treatment now. The clinical signs of Nematodirus can be confused with acorn poisoning (dark scour, hollow abdomen and mortality) ,so it is important that farmers assess worm status before contributing all lamb deaths to acorn poisoning.
3. Lungworm in adult suckler cattle - most farmers are well versed in preventing and managing lungworm in youngstock if present on their farm. In normal years, adult cattle maintain an immunity by being exposed to a low level of lungworm larvae throughout the grazing season. In dry years, this exposure and immunity can be lost , making some adult cows vulnerable to disease. An avermectin should be considered alongside other treatments for individual adult animals with respiratory disease. Outbreaks of disease should be assessed as Fog Fever may also be a factor in the Autumn.