Gut parasites in lambs: what causes them and how to avoid or treat

Coccidia and nematodirus are both gut parasites that affect young lambs.

Last updated 10 May 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

What to do with cows' high somatic cell counts

WHEN the monthly Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) report arrives, how do you use the information? Which cows do you focus on? How do you tackle the high SCC cows?

Last updated 15 April 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Botulism on the rise, but can be prevented

OVER the last few years there has been an increase in the number of outbreaks of botulism affecting cattle and sheep.

Last updated 12 April 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

What should Cumbria do about BVD eradication?

The Scottish Government is currently consulting on proposals for the mandatory phase of the bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) eradication scheme.

Last updated 12 April 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

How to maximise the potential of your ewes with embryo transfer

The rate of genetic improvement in any flock can be increased through the use of embryo transfer (ET).

Last updated 9 November 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Cumbrian cases of bleeding calf syndrome still on the up

Nine calves affected by bleeding calf syndrome were found in just one Cumbrian herd earlier this year.Other interesting cases seen in the past two months at Merrythought include blackleg in a nine-month-old fattening beast, tick-borne fever in calves and chlamydophila abortus abortion in a dairy herd. The diagnoses reached from submission of abortion material from sheep flocks this year identified the usual infectious agents. Chlamydophila abortus remained the most common infectious cause, diagnosed in over a third of submissions where a diagnosis was reached.

Last updated 7 September 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Minerals in cattle nutrition: is there a simple answer?

Vets and farmers recognise the need for minerals in nutrition, and many thousands of cattle are given supplementation annually in the belief this helps health, productivity and particularly fertility.

Last updated 7 September 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Lameness is a pain for you, your business and the cow

Have you ever trapped your finger in a door or bent your nail back? Then think about the cows’ feet you have seen with massive stinking solar abscesses, coronary band swelling or huge hoof defects. The pain they will be in is just the same as for us... if not worse.

Last updated 13 August 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Scotland considers eradicating all BVD

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) has been mentioned frequently in the farming press recently, after the Scottish Government launched the idea of a national eradication scheme.

Last updated 13 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Egg counts identify wormer resistance

The problem of anthelmintic resistance in sheep flocks is well recognised, with more than 80 per cent of flocks having resistance to the benzimidazole (white) drenches.

Last updated 13 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Resistance is futile

Most people I’ve spoken to this week have finished lambing, and everyone is desperate for some rain to get the grass growing. Hopefully, by the time you read the June Farmer, there will be some silage cut in the county, along with some decent aftermaths to turn young stock onto.

Last updated 8 June 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Calf scour: costly but preventable

Calf scour is the biggest cause of death in pre-weaned calves. However, 70 per cent of the cost of treatment consists of labour costs. Preventing scour will not only save money and lives, it will also save you valuable time.

Last updated 11 May 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Exotic knowledge growing

The popularity of keeping alpacas for their fibre coat and as pets has increased over the past few years. Cumbria is no exception and we’ve seen an increase in submissions at VLA Penrith.

Last updated 11 May 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Be on your guard against Q

Farmers bringing abortion material from cattle and sheep to the lab at Merrythought near Penrith in recent weeks may have been puzzled by us asking if their herd or flock has ever had Q fever.

Last updated 13 April 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

How Cumbrian farmers can minimise losses at lambing

Lambing large numbers of ewes will inevitably result in some frustrating losses. The causes of these are common to many different units and systems.

Last updated 5 March 2010
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Horses get stomach ulcers too

Last updated 9 February 2010
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Medication leads to rapid recovery

THE Weymouth family from Great Salkeld, near Penrith, bought seven-year-old thoroughbred Keano in September.

Last updated 9 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Planning for lambing

The recent snow and cold weather has made life difficult for livestock and stock keepers alike. The main effort for most has been focused on dealing with frozen water supplies and ensuring stock are fed and watered.

Last updated 19 January 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk