Cross Counties Farm Vets

27/01/2025

22/01/2025

Ewe vaccination 🐑

Key points to remember:
🐑 Vaccinating at this point in pregnancy ensures antibodies for these diseases are passed into the colostrum.

🐑 Ensuring adequate intakes of colostrum containing these antibodies within the first 8 hours of life and for the first few days helps control diseases such as lamb dysentery, pulpy kidney, tetanus and pasteurellosis. Large losses can be experienced when sheep are not correctly vaccinated.

🐑 Once sheep have received the primary course, they must have a booster annually. Why not vaccinate all stock at this time to make it easier to remember?

If starting a primary vaccination course (e.g. haven’t vaccinated before), please speak to your vet for appropriate timings.

21/01/2025

We had our first lambing of the year last week!

Make sure you are prepared for the busy season ahead and get in touch if you want to hear more about our lambing boxes! 🐑

20/01/2025

Today is , known as the saddest day of the year. Let’s make time to catch up with each other over a cup of tea and have a Brew Monday instead. ☕

Remember that these charities are here to help:
Farming Community Network - https://fcn.org.uk/
RABI - https://rabi.org.uk/

We are a voluntary organisation & charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community. Whether the issue is personal or business-related, FCN is here for you. We run a confidential, national helpline and e-helpline which is open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm and our volu...

17/01/2025

As part of the Sustainable Farming Initiative set out by Defra, you can now register online for an Animal Health and Welfare Review. This review isn’t to replace health planning but can instead be used to focus on a specific area on farm that will enhance animal health – speak to your vet to decide how to get the most out of the time.

In return for the funding, beef and dairy farms will need to BVD test and sheep farms will need to carry out FEC sampling via a lab.

Please speak to your vet in the first instance before you register as the review must have taken place within six months of registering – therefore depending on the discussion area, we need to ensure the timing is right.

Don’t let this review opportunity pass!

14/01/2025

Scour prevention 💩

Scour is the leading cause of losses in suckler calves under three weeks of age, but the costs extend past the mortality figure, with growth weights heavily affected.
Prevention is always the best course of action. This requires a combination of maximising calf immunity, whilst minimising the amount of bugs they’re exposed to in early life.

If you are noticing an issue in the herd, the first place to start is recording the number of cases and calf mortality. From here we can investigate potential causes and work to minimise future outbreaks.

08/01/2025

5 Q's of colostrum 🥛

Good colostrum management leads to happy, healthy calves and lambs - remembering these 5 Q’s can keep you on track.

03/01/2025

🐂 Out-wintering can be a successful system for adult beef cattle but it’s not a low management one. It needs proper planning and preparation with animal welfare being the key priority. Some areas to consider:

🛖Shelter – artificial or natural, there should be adequate shelter for adverse weather conditions and a dry place to lie down.

🫘Feeding site – this should be on high ground with good drainage, and accessible to farm vehicles.

🪱Fluke – extended grazing will increase the risk of liver fluke. Liaise and monitor with your vet for any clinical signs or necessary treatment.

⚖️BCS – monitor body condition closely as beef cattle coats can make it harder to notice a loss in condition.

If you are concerned about your cattle over the winter period, please speak to your vet or call the practice.

01/01/2025

Wishing all of our wonderful clients a Happy New Year! ✨

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas to all of our fantastic clients! We hope you have a lovely festive period and get some well earned rest! 🎄

19/12/2024

Prepare your farm for fireworks 🎆

As we approach the festive season, we know many of you are excited about fireworks displays. 🎆 However, it's important to remember that these loud noises can be very distressing for our farm animals. 🐄🐖

Here are a few ways you can help! 👇
1️⃣ Inform: If you're planning a fireworks display near a farm, please let them know in advance. This allows them to take necessary precautions.
2️⃣ Quieter Fireworks: Opt for low-noise fireworks to minimise the impact on animals.
3️⃣ Timing: Consider setting off fireworks earlier in the evening when animals are less likely to be resting.

Your consideration can make a big difference in reducing stress and ensuring the well-being of our animals. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! 🌟

05/12/2024

Be seen on farm! 🌠

🌃 Darker evenings mean less visibility when out and about on farm – for all the farm team!

Here’s a few tips from
💡 Check lights on your machinery work
🏫 Ensure buildings and barns are well lit
👷 Always wear high-viz
🗣️ Tell someone where you’re going if working late or earlier than normal

26/11/2024

BTV-3 Reminder

🚨🐄 Have you filled in the form?
Please find the form in question below, which is a legal requirement to report on BTV-3 vaccination activity.

🔗 https://forms.office.com/e/Z2JKUYVY7U

Any questions? Please feel free to reach out to our team today.

22/11/2024

Dung Beetle Trivia 🪲

These remarkable insects play a crucial role in agricultural ecosystems. 🤯

By dispersing dung and incorporating nutrients into the soil, dung beetles enhance soil fertility and structure. Interestingly, many dung beetles host mites on their bodies.

Far from being harmful, these mites benefit livestock by consuming gut roundworm and fly larvae, potentially reducing the need for chemical parasite control.

However, maintaining this beneficial relationship requires careful management. Many conventional livestock treatments can harm dung beetles and other beneficial insects.

Dung beetles thrive on fresh dung, making them well-suited to grazing-based livestock systems.

18/11/2024

Autumn Lameness 🐄

How many miles have your cows walked already this year? How many more have they got to walk until dry off? 🤔

Lameness can have a massive impact on all aspects of the block calving herd but with the right steps in place huge savings can be made.

Assessing the number of lame cows can easily be done with a mobility score if you aren’t doing them regularly already. This is especially important ahead of dry off to ensure cows are in optimal condition for lactation in the Spring.

Get in touch to book a mobility score in or for some team trimming and lameness training ahead of the dry off period.

14/11/2024

Spring Block Calving 🐂

Maintaining impeccable hygiene when preparing to dry off your spring block herd is crucial for health and milk quality.

🐮 Aim for sterile-like conditions: Clean and sterilize teats thoroughly. Keep wipes handy.
🐮 Plan for help: More hands make it easier. Have one trained person for tubing.
🐮 Mark cows before treatment to avoid errors.
🐮 Avoid long parlour waits: Keep groups manageable to reduce muck.

If you’re interested in training, please contact your vet or call the practice.

11/11/2024

Remembrance Day 🌺

⏸️ Today we pause to pay our deepest respects to the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their countries. We remember their courage, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to securing our freedom and peace.