Animal Health

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.

Livestock farmers are being urged to consider vaccinating against bovine coronavirus (BCoV) as recent studies have identified the pathogen as the most prevalent virus behind calf respiratory disease in the UK.

Sheep farmers who have not vaccinated their flock early for EAE (enzootic abortion of ewes) may be unable to do so later in the season due to delays in the manufacturing and distribution process of the Cevac Chalmydia vaccine, the supplier has said.

Animal Health and Welfare Pathway funding can help sheep farmers implement a strategic worm control plan. The Pathway, which is open now, will pay sheep farmers £436, covering the cost of the vet’s time and the diagnostic testing. 

As peak summer holiday season arrives in the UK, the National Sheep Association (NSA) is issuing a reminder to holiday makers of the risk posed by their pet dogs to sheep they may meet on their countryside breaks.

Sheep farmers, vets and advisers are invited to attend free question and answer sessions hosted by SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) providing practical advice on how to check if a worming treatment has been effective.

Enzootic abortion (EAE) is responsible for considerable losses in the UK sheep industry. Yet, despite adequate vaccine availability and veterinary advice on disease prevention, the endemic disease is still present in many flocks, and many farmers only vaccinate after an outbreak.

Farmers are being encouraged to assess the risk of abortion in their sheep ahead of the next tupping season and work with their vet if necessary to minimise lamb losses next year.

Livestock farmers will continue to have uninterrupted access to key cobalt salts as emergency authorisation for cobalt in livestock feeds has been granted for England and Wales following approval in Scotland.

Farmers are being urged to carry out regular faecal egg count (FEC) testing before drenching lambs to get an accurate estimation of worm burden across groups, as a more targeted approach to parasite control can save producers time, money and labour.

A vaccine developed by Scottish scientists that is considered one of the most significant advances in global livestock health over the last 25 years has been given renewed recognition as part of this year’s RHASS Presidential Initiative.