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Newsletters

FVS Spring Newsletter

In this issue we give an update on TB – tests, regulations and advice when buying-in stock. There’s advice on what to look for when carrying out post-mortem examinations, and a rundown on the parasites which can cause diarrhoea in spring lambs.

Also discussed is negative energy balance in cows and its complex inter-relationships with transition cow diseases, as well as how to prevent it.

There’s also advice for spring-calving suckler herds on managing the end of block cows.

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Summer 2018 Newsletter

This issue contains information on: the new Red Tractor Guidelines regarding the prescription of High Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HP-CIA), changes in the National Johnes Management Plan, plus Radial TB testing. There's also a refresher on sheep scab and blowfly strike, and a look at the possible causes of sudden death in cattle and sheep. For gamekeepers, Max Hardy gives some advice on feeding, rearing and releasing birds this season.

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Spring 2018 Newsletter

In our spring newsletter, vet Zoe Hebblethwaite gives an overview of the antibiotic alternatives to those on the 'Critically Important' list. Vet William Colmenares explains pre-breeding bull fertility tests and their importance. There's an APHA TB testing update, and vet Rebecca Davenport puts a focus on lambing and the value of recording any losses and identifying the cause(s). Flock owners can take advantage of subsidised testing to screen for Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydophila abortus up until July 21st. And finally, there's details of an 'End of Spring' party we are holding for our clients - old and new - on May 11th. 

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2017/18 Winter Newsletter

In our winter newsletter, there’s an update on new TB regulations and the new lower costs of the Interferon Gamma blood test. There’s information on Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) and its prevention by vaccination, and the benefits of using Fever Tags which signal when cattle temperatures are high. And there’s advice on preventing Johne’s disease in sheep, and managing incidences of misalliance – when pregnancies occur in heifers which are too young.

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Summer 2017 Newsletter

Featured in this newsletter are: Bovine Ischaemic Teat Necrosis, the benefits of using Fever Tags, changes in Farm Tractor Assurance standards, and how to keep control of lameness in sheep flocks. 

There's also an insight into what vet Mike Thorne has been doing in Africa.

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2017 Spring Newsletter

In this newsletter, the topics covered include: rotavirus in calves, Border disease in sheep, and how to spot and prevent trace element deficiencies in cattle and sheep, chick rearing for gamebird flocks, and summer parasite control. 

An invitation to the inaugural meeting of the Smallholders Club is also announced in this newsletter. See the Summer newsletter for the report.

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Early Spring 2017 Newsletter

This early spring newsletter features articles on: the treatment and prevention of orf in sheep, care of the Down cow, management of pre-lambing ewes to prevent problems of twin lamb disease, low calcium and/or magnesium, abortions and prolapses, and also some advice on parasite control for the spring.

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Autumn 2016

Articles featured in our autumn newsletter include: ringworm in cattle – its effect on performance, and diagnosis and control. Salmonella in cattle also comes under the spotlight, with advice on its treatment and prevention.

There’s an update on the Calf Tracker initiative: what it involves and the benefits of taking part. We also look at some examples of best practice in record-keeping for sheep flocks, give an update on parasite control at housing, and list details of this season’s VPS offers. 

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Summer 2016

In our summer newsletter, there’s a reminder on the signs of Bluetongue in cattle and sheep, information on two new health schemes: Calf Tracker and BVD Free, and two new technologies: Elanco’s Imrestor and genomics. We outline the signs of poisoning from buttercups or St John’s Wort, and include advice from Alltech on assessing and reducing the risk of mycotoxins from affecting health and performance in dairy herds.

As autumn approaches, it’s also time to consider what strategies are needed to protect ewes from abortion-causing diseases. So we’ve included an outline of the pre-tupping vaccinations available to protect your flock’s performance, and advise you to discuss these with your vet.

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Spring 2016

In our Spring newsletter, there is information on the new rules to help reduce the risk of TB spread, some novel dairy technologies (Moocall and Fever Tags), and an update on XLVets' Calf Tracker initiative.

We also run through some topical sheep and lamb diseases including Blue Tongue, and give a rundown on what is involved with a Bull Breeding Soundness examination. 

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