The Livestock Partnership

31/10/2024

Body condition scoring- an integral part to cow health & management - no matter of your breeding system there are integral times in your year where assessing body condition and making changes to the ration or feeding practices ie trough space, could significantly impact the health & productivity of the herd.
Changes in body condition can represent cows being in negative energy balance which means body reserves are mobilised for lactating. This removes energy available for other body processes such as the immune system, which can lead to issues such as high somatic cell count.
What are your tips for maintaining your cows immune systems?
When do you body condition score?

21/10/2024

Dispersal sale… got these girls interest!
Take a look!
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.symondsandsampson.co.uk%2fagricultural-auctions%2fonline-auctions%23%21%2fauctions%2fcbac45a7-77ae-4b2a-8a92-c82a8fcc5e02%3fic%3d30&c=E,1,ZkMsO-xdZNQ60qmSl3gkE_NhvUZVIzFx4dT4TCJN9WNwTyAsI6g4O9UKkGRcb1om74bLmIrRkdv-PojKalUZiDfkrbo2C4DXPqrsNP93n8rExOiTh1s,&typo=1

17/10/2024

🐑Thank you to all that attended a really successful flock club meeting last week. 🐑
We looked at the barriers to tackling lameness and how to overcome them, with the generosity of Andy Snow as the host
We had a good look at his te Pari handling system, which has made all flock jobs so much easier for Andy, and his knees!
Wonderful to see so many sheep clients talking and listening to each other and sharing ideas.

10/10/2024

It’s been that time of year again playing with uteruses and training the next round of AI experts! Only sudocrem calves made last week but looking forward to seeing this groups calves hit the deck!

07/10/2024

Tales & Ales night, tomorrow at 7pm.
Bring a bottle and we’ll supply the food!
Open to all countryside workers, farming, forestry, gamekeepers, gardeners and estate workers. &ales

07/10/2024

A beautiful bit of Autumn colour donated by the Thorntons. Thank you Janette.
Which pumpkin patch are you supporting this October?

02/10/2024

The livestock industry has come together to launch a nationwide survey to better understand the impact of bluetongue virus on UK farms.

Led by Fiona Lovatt of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, the survey is being conducted in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham and has the backing of key industry organisations.

The survey will provide a clearer picture of what is happening on UK farms so that we can better support affected farmers and prepare for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, whether they have experienced confirmed cases of bluetongue on their farm or not. It aims to gather data on the number of animals affected, the severity of clinical signs, and the wider impacts on farm businesses.

Farmers are urged to take part in the survey, which can be accessed at https://bit.ly/BTV3survey

01/10/2024

**Bluetongue update **
As of the 30th September the restricted zone for bluetongue has been extended to cover East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex and part of Hampshire.
The total number of cases across England and Wales is currently 109. With two cases occurring outside of the current restrictions zones.

It is important to remain viligant and monitor livestock closely and to be aware of risks when purchasing or moving animals. Remember licences are required to move animals:
All movements within the RZ/Infected Area must comply with EXD 612 General Licence.
Movements from inside the RZ to a Designated slaughterhouse outside the RZ must comply with EXD 603 General Licence.
All other movements from inside the RZ to outside the RZ require a specific licence: Apply for an exemption from animal disease restrictions – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Movements from premises under bluetongue premises restriction require a specific licence: Apply for an exemption from animal disease restrictions – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

24/09/2024

*Cattle handling & basic cow signals*

Friday 27th September 10am-12pm near Alresford

Come and chat about basic cattle handling skills and cow signals for new comers working with cattle.
We can make cow whisperers of you by the end of it!

£60 per farm

Please RSVP to [email protected] if interested

22/09/2024

In light of today’s Bluetongue news, here is an update on the current situation and some FAQs on vaccination:

Following the identification of further bluetongue BTV-3 cases close to the edge of the Restricted Zones (RZs), the two RZs have now been merged and extended.
The new RZ now also covers all of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey and West Sussex.
Animals must only be moved where it’s absolutely necessary.
More information on the restrictions and licences that apply is available on GOV.UK.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-movement-licences-and-designated-slaughterhouses


There are 3 Bluetongue vaccines being approved for use within the UK.
They will first only be available to high risk areas and are currently not in the country.

We are taking names, phone numbers and stock types and numbers of clients who would be interested in vaccinating their stock when it does become available.

The decision to vaccinate depends on looking at risks and benefits for your farm.

The data available shows the vaccines will reduce clinical signs in stock but does not stop the spread of disease.

As a reminder clinical signs include lameness, nasal discharge, swelling, crusting/reddening of muzzle, lethargy, milk drop.

There can be side of effects of the vaccine such as transient fever and nodules at vaccine site. There is no particular contraindication of vaccinating pregnant animals, although a fever can potentially cause abortion. It would not be recommended to be used in breeding males at this stage.

Immunity will be sufficient 3-4 weeks post primary course which is likely to be two doses. Animals over 1 month should be able to be vaccinated. The vaccine needs to be kept at 4oC and a vial must be used within 10 hours of opening. Choice of vaccine for your farm may depend on availability, dose route, pack size etc. The price is yet to be confirmed.

Please email [email protected] with name, farm name, mobile number & stock type and numbers you would like to vaccinate.

Thanks

The Livestock Team

19/09/2024

A busy day at the practice yesterday at the Foot First Aid course.
Well done to all learning the skills.

11/09/2024

Caption not necessary!

08/09/2024

Was lovely to see so many friendly faces at the show yesterday!
Thanks for visiting us and well done to those that showed livestock.
Did you meet the new member of the team??? Our wooden cow! She supplied kids at the show sweets, but still doesn’t have a name… suggestions below please!!

07/09/2024

The Alresford show! Come and say hi to us on our stand today! Sunglasses available to keep you comfortable in the glorious sunshine 😜
Come and say and get a bacon sarnie, ice cream or drink.
See you later

29/08/2024

CLICK…COLLECT…CLAIM it couldn’t be easier!
It’s the perfect time of year for a wormer resistance test on your sheep flock… & why not claim some money to pay for it…
Apply on line for the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway funding if you haven’ already! It only takes 10 mins if that.
Talk to us to say you have done this, and collect some poo samples using kits and a protocol from us.
Arrange a review with us – tied in with your health planning or other farm visits/ jobs to talk about the results and then claim your funding!

26/08/2024

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bluetongue-information-and-guidance-for-livestock-keepers?ai=

26/08/2024

On Monday 26th August the first UK case of BTV -3  in the 2024 season was confirmed in a single sheep on a mixed farm near Haddiscoe, South Norfolk.  The case was identified following a report of clinical suspicion.

A 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) has been declared restricting movement of cattle, sheep, other ruminants and their germinal products (semen, ova and embryos).

The farm is now under restrictions and, as there is no current evidence of disease circulation, the animal will be slaughtered in line with the BTV framework released in May.

We will endeavour to keep our members informed of any new disease detections and how the BTV Framework is being unfolded.

https://bit.ly/3AFB6kf

12/08/2024