Paul Rodgers, Allen and
Partners
The Welsh Lamb and Beef
Promotions (WLBP) health planning scheme finished in summer
2008. When a questionnaire had been completed before my visit, I
was able to help farmers more than when my time was used to gather
information.
Although complying with farm assurance is part of planning, I
believe vet time is best focused on identifying existing problems,
developing a plan to reduce these problems and preventing the
introduction of new disease.
Access to production figures is an essential part of this
process. WLBP is now developing an online herd/flock health
tool.
This information can be analysed with your vet to help reduce
disease costs. Savings can be made by focusing vet time on the
important issues greater savings will be made by reducing disease
and increasing production.
Steve Borsberry, 608 Vet Group
Mineral imbalance can cause problems in all classes of
livestock. Young and rapidly growing cattle require adequate
calcium and phosphorus in the correct ratio (2:1 is the normal
recommendation).
Rations which provide excess phosphorus can result in brittle
bones leading to spontaneous leg fractures. One early sign of such
an imbalance can be enlargement of the fetlocks and hocks. If you
have any suspicions, ask your nutritionist to check the diet.
Computer programs are excellent at data analysis, but we often
forget the basic requirements of cows. Enough food and water may
seem obvious, but, at times, can be overlooked, such as when feed
fence design limits feed intake. Spending time observing cow
behaviour will pay dividends.
David Feneley, Wensum Valley Vet Surgeons
Bluetongue remains a significant threat to UK
susceptible livestock. Just because we did not see clinical
disease last summer does not mean the threat has subsided. It
is thought rolling out
bluetongue vaccination via the protection zones was primarily
responsible for keeping us clear of disease.
With bluetongue serotypes one, six and eight all circulating on
the near continent wind spread of infected midges to the UK is not
unlikely this summer.
Susceptible stock must, therefore, be vaccinated again this
year. In the UK, we still only have vaccination against serotype
eight, so we can only guard against other serotypes by maintaining
vigilance for clinical signs of disease and being sensible when
importing stock from abroad.
Richard Morris, Fenwold Vet Centre, Spilsby,
Lincolnshire
With the lambing season upon us, some common
problems to look out for will be abortion storms, pregnancy
toxaemia and watery mouth/rattle belly. These can have a
devastating effect on flock profitability, but with vigilance and
attention to detail their effect on the flock can be minimised.
Any abortion outbreaks should be investigated to
identify the cause and prevent the spread of the common infectious
agents chlamydia (enzootic abortion) or toxoplasma. The aborted
lamb and a piece of placenta should be brought to the surgery so
samples can be sent away for investigation.
When several ewes have aborted, blood samples
should be taken. Investigation of abortion outbreaks will identify
which infectious agents are present and allow prevention with
vaccination regimes, as part of the flock health plan.
All contributing vets are members ofXLVets, a group
of vet practices which work together, alongside commercial research
and manufacturing companies. They aim to share best practice on
advice and disease prevention initiatives.