Animal Health

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.

Intestinal health has been given critical importance when it comes to sustainable broiler production in a new white paper authored by the Monogastric Science Research Centre at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Sheep farmers and industry professionals are invited to a series of free events taking place in Cornwall next month to learn about the results of a pilot study exploring the potential of introducing worm-tolerant genetics into flocks.

As farmers face pressure to reduce environmental impact and antibiotic usage, the National Office for Animal Health is sharing vaccination best practice on World Animal Vaccination Day.

Sheep farmers are being encouraged to make the most of funding from the Defra Animal Health & Welfare Pathway by choosing an appropriate time to carry out the Worming Treatment Check, such as when there are lambs at pasture that require treatment, said SCOPS independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings.

Sheep farmers are being encouraged to take advantage of Elanco’s Blowfly Forecast to monitor fly populations in their area and develop a control plan ahead of rising temperatures.

Due to changing weather patterns in the UK and Ireland, blowfly season is now starting earlier, lasting longer, and becoming increasingly difficult to forecast. To help farmers prepare for the upcoming season and minimise the risk of fly strike, the British veterinary organisation NADIS (National Animal Disease Information Service) offers some advice.

Bird keepers are being urged to maintain scrupulous biosecurity standards as housing measures for poultry and captive birds are set to lift on Tuesday 18th April 2023 in England and Wales, the UK’s chief veterinary officer has announced today (11th April) following the latest assessment of avian flu risk.

A seasonal study, carried out on Islay as part of the RHASS Presidential Initiative (PI), has demonstrated that treating livestock ‘as little as possible, but as much as necessary’ for liver fluke can deliver a multitude of benefits for both animal and environmental health.