Animal Health

Farmers have made significant improvements in dairy herd fertility, production, and somatic cell counts, according to the National Milk Records’ latest Key Performance Indicator (KPI) report. 

With 2024 well underway, it’s the time of year to reflect on lessons learnt from the last 12 months. Stuart Wilkieson, Sam Coulson, and John Lack from Elta Group’s agricultural brands answer some key questions on the trends seen.

As we come to the end of a strange year for weather, we take a look at the impacts on parasite burdens, as well as the wider animal health trends from the year, plus research breakthroughs and new advances. Sarah Kidby reports.

Another five cases have been confirmed in cattle within the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Kent.

Offences include keeping animals in a poor living environment, repeated overdue TB testing or breaching avian flu housing orders.

Routine surveillance has identified two cases of bluetongue in cattle on a farm near Cantley, Broadland in Norfolk.

Following active surveillance within the temporary control zone (TCZ), two further cases of bluetongue have been identified taking the total number of UK cases to seven. Both cases are linked to a holding with previously confirmed cases of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3).

Farmers urged to be vigilant as further cases identified through additional surveillance.

The Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) group has published its latest technical guide, which reflects significant changes in approaches.

Farmers in and around the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ), can now access and call a dedicated bluetongue hotline to get advice or ask questions linked to the current situation.

The first specific vaccine for protecting cattle against respiratory coronavirus will soon be available to UK farmers, and follows recent research suggesting BCoV plays a bigger role in BRD than previously accepted. Sarah Kidby reports.

After the first case of the new emerging bluetongue strain (BTV-3) was confirmed in England, a temporary control zone (TCZ) has been implemented. The Ruminant Health & Welfare group has put together some guidance.