| Movement Licences.
DEFRA have instructed us to withdraw all the occupational movement licenses we issued during the F&M episode. I know this seems a typical paper exercise but we have to do it. The reason would appear to be that the licenses were open ended and that if not withdrawn, could be used at a later date in some future epidemic. If possible could you return any occupational licenses to us. If you cant find them let us know and we will be able to do it from our records.
NB. This only involve occupational licenses at the moment.
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Lepto and BVD
With the current milk price it is necessary to look at every cost critically. However cutting back on routine disease control measures such as vaccinations is a false economy. Bovidec (BVD) cost has fallen in the last year and Leptavoid prices remain competitive.
The scheme for new herds starting lepto vaccination whereby the second dose of the primary course is free is still available at present.
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Brucellosis.
Periodic blood testing has been trimmed back by DEFRA. Tests are done every 2 years, and synchronised with the TT test where possible. In dairy herds only stock bulls and any suckler cows are sampled. In beef herds bulls and breeding females over 2 years have to be sampled.
We still have to sample aborting cows/heifers if there have been more than one abortion in the last month or if the animal has not produced milk for sale in the last 30 days.
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Dry Cow Therapy
The choice of which product to use can change from cow to cow and from season to season. Factors to consider include
- Risk of summer mastitis
- Risk of E. coli around calving
- High cell count during the lactation
- Low cell count
Can different products be used on different cows?
Cepravin Dry Cow where its use is appropriate benefits from a special offer on the 40 cow packs until the summer. To benefit we need to take your orders as soon as possible.
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Displaced Abomasum
We have recently been trying a new treatment for this condition. Generally known as the toggle method it involves rolling the cow and then fastening the abomasum to the abdominal floor with toggles. The advantages are that it is quicker (and thus cheaper) but the success rate may not be as good as the conventional surgery. When we next see a case this technique will be an option.
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DIY AI
In conjunction with Avoncroft and VetLogic we may be able to offer our clients an on farm based DIY AI course complying with DEFRA guidelines. Lectures and on farm practical demonstration and teaching are involved. We would be interested in exploring the possibility of running such courses if there is a demand.
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SHEEP
We have had several reports of lice causing skin irritation this spring and obviously it has to be differentiated from sheep scab. Treatment with cypermethrin (Spoton) is the drug of choice.
Coccidiosis cases are occurring. If lambs are scouring dung samples can be checked for worms and cocci.
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