Animal Health

A specific temperature pattern has been identified that indicates early onset of mastitis, which could enhance dairy cow welfare and reduce economic losses for farmers.

Following a scorching summer last year and with temperatures currently on the rise, pig producers are being urged to manage heat stress to avoid the negative consequences it can have on feeding behaviour, growth rates and animal welfare.

Livestock farmers are being warned about the increased risk of grass staggers in cattle and sheep as a result of this year’s wet spring, with Rumenco nutritionist Dr Alison Bond advising supplementation to balance a lower-than-average magnesium intake from grass.

Farmers are being encouraged to prioritise fly control now and protect their livestock, as warm and wet weather is set to accelerate maggot and fly emergence.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has welcomed the launch of ‘Gwaredu Scab’, a first-of-its-kind project funded by the Welsh government that aims to tackle sheep scab outbreaks by offering farmers a free service covering the diagnosis and treatment of infected sheep.

An updated costing model has revealed farmers could lose £209 per lamb and £184 per breeding ewe that falls victim to blowfly strike, which means administering treatment only after animals are struck is no longer cost-effective.

On the back of zinc supplies running out and responsible antibiotic use becoming ever more important, getting weaned pigs off to a solid start is vital to protecting their welfare and safeguarding farm productivity. At a webinar hosted by the George Pig Practice and supported by Elanco, three experts discussed the challenges and practical solutions when it comes to weaned pig management.

Taking proactive steps ahead of forecasted heat waves this summer is an effective way of reducing the incidence of heat stress in cattle and minimise yield losses due to overheating, an issue of increasing concern to UK dairy and beef farmers as global temperatures continue to rise.

The vast computational power of machine learning has the ability to better alert farmers, resulting in earlier interventions and treatments to benefit animal health and welfare and provide a significant economic boost to the industry. This is according to Chloe Hazell, Agxio’s bioscientist & research lead, who explores the potential of data and AI in the beef and dairy industries.

Sheep farmers are being reminded to test sheep before and after drenching to determine which animals need worming and ensure their chosen treatment is working properly.

Scientists have discovered that Northern Gannets can recover from highly pathogenic avian flu H5N1, leaving them with an unusual black iris colouration.

Results from an ongoing study indicate heat stress is becoming a costly problem on UK dairy farms and can affect milk yields in both housed and grazed cows, with some businesses facing losses of up to £90,000.