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XLVets
Member Practices
608 Vet Group
Allen and Partners
Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group
Ardene House Veterinary Hospital
Armour Veterinary Centre
Belmont Veterinary Centre
Bishopton Veterinary Group
Cain Vet Centre
Calweton Veterinary Practice
Capontree Veterinary Centre
Castle Veterinary Surgeons
Chapelfield Veterinary Partnership
Cliffe Veterinary Group
Clyde Veterinary Group
Drove Veterinary Hospital
Endell Veterinary Group
Farm First Veterinary Services
Fenwold Veterinary Centre
Friars Moor Veterinary Clinic
Glenthorne Veterinary Group
Hook Norton Veterinary Surgeons
Kingfisher Veterinary Practice
Kingsway Veterinary Group
Lambert, Leonard & May
Larkmead Veterinary Group
Macpherson O’Sullivan Ltd
Millcroft Veterinary Group
Minster Veterinary Practice
Northvet Veterinary Group
Paragon Veterinary Group
Parklands Veterinary Group
PAWS Veterinary Health Centre
Penbode Veterinary Group
Rosevean Veterinary Practice
Rutland Veterinary Centre
Scarsdale Veterinary Hospital
Scott Mitchell Associates
Shepton Veterinary Group
Southfield Veterinary Centre
St Boniface Veterinary Clinic
Synergy Farm Health
Thrums Veterinary Group
Tyndale Farm Veterinary Practice
Wensum Valley Veterinary Surgeons
Westmorland Veterinary Group
Willows Veterinary Group
Wright & Morten
XLVets
is a novel and exciting initiative
conceived from within the veterinary profession.
We are all independently owned, progressive
veterinary practices located throughout the
United Kingdom committed to working together
for the benefit of our clients.
AUTUMN EDITION
C O N T E N T S
THE ED I TOR
Welcome to the ‘Autumn’
issue of Livestock Matters...
In this issue there is a focus on respiratory
disease and we see how the problem
was tackled on one farm. We also look at
the importance of colostrum management
for the new-born calf.
For those of you attending this year's Dairy
Event; do come along to the XLVets stand
where we will be demonstrating how
colostrum quality can be determined.
It's one of several 'mini-bite' FarmSkills
challenges visitors will be able to join
in with on the day.
There's a feature on robotic milking, our
pull-out guide with top tips to minimise
environmental mastitis and we take a
look at infectious abortion in sheep.
We also have the second report from Amy
Avery who's out in New Zealand, through
the XLVets scholarship and a write-up from
Joe Davis, another of the scholars who has
now returned to the UK.
We hope you enjoy this issue of
‘Livestock Matters’.
Joanne Dodgson
XLVets
Livestock Matters
is published by:
XLVet UK Ltd, Carlisle House
Townhead Road, Dalston
Carlisle CA5 7JF
Tel: (01228) 711788
*This publication is supplied free of charge to
farm clients of XLVet member practices.
© XLVet UK Ltd
No part of this publication may be reproduced
without prior permission of the publisher.
Disclaimer:
XLVets does not necessarily share the views of
contributors. No responsibility can be accepted
for opinions expressed by contributors, or claims
made by advertisers within this publication.
CONTENTS
ANIMAL HEALTH
09
Ovine Abortion:
A review of the most common causes
of abortion in sheep, with an action
plan to prevent abortions and
reduce losses.
11
Respiratory Disease:
Jemma Reed of Paragon Veterinary
Group looks at how calf health has
been improved on a farm in Carlisle
due to pneumonia control measures.
REPORTS
19
Robotic Milkers:
Julian Allen of Friars Moor Veterinary
Clinic reports on how installing
robotic milkers changed herd health
and production as well as lifestyles
on a dairy farm in Dorset.
TRAINING
21
FarmSkills - One Year On:
FarmSkills celebrates its 1st birthday
and announes the launch of its new
programme of training.
DAIRY FEATURE
Vet Julian Allen, Friars Moor Veterinary Clinic and
Dr Sam Leadley, a calf and heifer management
specialist from New York State, summarise the key
points to good colostrum management for successful
calf and heifer rearing on-farm.
07
Focus on Calf Management