01363 77286001363 772860
01363 77286001363 772860
English beef and dairy farmers can have their Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) test results uploaded to the national BVDFree database without charge until the end of March*.
The offer is open to all farmers who are registered with the BVDFree England scheme and is available for all results uploaded by the following labs: APHA, Biobest, CIS and NML. Farmers can register with the scheme at bvdfree.org.uk. The aim is to grow the number of searchable BVD statuses on the existing 65,000 strong...
Through February, March and April St Boniface Farm Vets are running a series of meetings addressing cattle fertility and healthy calf production. The series begins with calf rearing and the promotion of rapid growth to produce an efficient and healthy heifer. Trouw Nutrition are...
This year we are providing a set of three Winter meetings, with each one being held twice in different locations.
The first in this series focuses on fertility, the effects of transition cow management and treatments for problem cows. This evening meeting is coming to a pub near you in January and will be held by Ruth and Ingrid.
Our second...
Pure deficiency is very rare, as a ewe’s requirement is only 1mgCu/kg DM. However, there are several elements that can antagonise copper and these change the picture significantly. Iron and sulphur will bind with copper in the rumen, this copper can’t be absorbed and passes out in dung, it is rare to get clinical signs of copper deficiency due to high iron levels but it can worsen the effect of molybdenum.
...Sheep are far more susceptible to the effects of copper toxicity than cattle, in addition, there is variation between sheep breeds in how sensitive they are, see table below:
Unfortunately, the main sign of copper toxicity is sudden death so you don’t get any warning that a problem is coming. The typical situation for problems, is sheep receiving copper from more than one source i.e. boluses, licks /...
Although the classic presentation of deficiency is white muscle disease, with lambs becoming stiff legged, it can also be a cause of weak lambs, high lamb mortality, and poor fertility in ewes. Blood samples can give a good indication of selenium status over the past 2 months. The diagram below shows the role of selenium and vitamin E in binding free radicals.
St Boniface Vets are planning a 2 day course in cattle foot trimming, suitable for complete beginners or those wanting a detailed refresher.
The course will run from 10.30am to 3pm on 23rd & 24th January, here at the surgery in Crediton, with lunch provided.
Places are limited, to ensure a high quality personal delivery, so please let us know if you are interested to avoid disappointment.
We will also be offering a unique one-to-one follow up session, on your farm...
This is a statement from Defra that has rightfully been spread far and wide in farming press, though probably not far enough in the general media! UK farming industries have really taken the reduction of antibiotics seriously and are pulling more than their weight in the...
One of the more frustrating problems faced by anyone caring for dairy cows is the ‘downer cow’. Defined most simply as a cow that remains recumbent for more than 24 hours; often very bright and alert with a good appetite, they seem very content! Often these cows do not walk off the farm, which is a demoralising result and costly too, with the difference between a cull value and fallen stock bill several hundred pounds, and for a very good cull over £1000.
Are we doing enough...
Here is an easy to accomplish example of monitoring.
5cm increments are drawn on the race, the heifers are measured against it and their withers height recorded.
These heifers are 12 months old. A Holstein heifer should have a withers height of 124cm by this time.
If heifers are not achieving good enough growth rates, and we discover this early enough, feeding can be altered so that service can still be achieved by 13-15 months of age.
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Registered in England No 551 6945. Registered office Exeter Road, Crediton, Devon, EX17 3BN.