Animal Health

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is urging sheep farmers to consider disease risk when buying in replacement stock and take the necessary precautions to prevent their flock from becoming infected.

Farmers who import live pigs or semen to the UK are being warned of the risks and reminded to follow protocols around PRRS.

With breeding sheep being traded from farm to farm, often via marts, this month the risk period for sheep scab transmission is heightened, Ulster Farmers’ Union has warned.

The ban on gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds – including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, partridges, quail and guinea fowl – has been lifted.

As a recent survey highlights a 20% drop in scanning results last year, and industry data suggesting forage quality is low this year, Rumenco nutritionist Alison Bond highlights the importance of supplementation.

Taking steps to manage microbiota in maize silage this season will reduce the potential for costly mycotoxin problems at feed-out, according to Lientjie Colahan, technical sales support at Lallemand Animal Nutrition.

With resistance to worm treatments severely undermining control programmes, scientists are seeking a solution in the form of an on-farm vaccine.

Micronutrients are essential to the short and long-term function of cattle and sheep. Deliver both trace elements and vitamins to livestock with EnduraBol boluses

The latest addition to Neogen’s range of footbath chemicals, Hoofshield Advance, has been shortlisted for a new product award and will be featured on the company’s stand at UK Dairy Day.

To combat the growing issue of anthelmintic resistance, a recent study investigated measuring worm tolerance in lambs and the effect of genetics on how well untreated animals coped with a higher worm burden.

Innovative projects developing solutions to overcome animal health challenges on farm are set to receive a further £9 million funding under the second round of the endemic livestock disease initiative seeking to revolutionise the UK livestock sector.

Vital vaccines for sheep and beef have become scarce during the past three years due to disruptions to animal vaccine supplies.