Page 3 - Livestock Matters - Summer 2014

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XLVets
member practices
608 Farm and Equine Veterinary Surgeons
Allen and Partners
Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group
Ardene House Vet Practice
Armour Veterinary Group
Belmont Veterinary Centre
Bishopton Veterinary Group
Cain Veterinary Centre
Calweton Veterinary Group
Capontree Veterinary Centre
Castle Veterinary Practice
Chapelfield Veterinary Partnership
Cliffe Veterinary Group
Clyde Vets
Donald S McGregor & Partners
Drove Veterinary Hospital
Dunmuir Veterinary Group
Endell Veterinary Group
Farm First Veterinary Services
Fenton Vets
Fenwold Veterinary Practice
Friars Moor Veterinary Clinic
Glenthorne Veterinary Group
Hook Norton Veterinary Group
Kingsway Veterinary Group
Lambert, Leonard & May
Larkmead Veterinary Group
Midshire Veterinary Group
Millcroft Veterinary Group
Minster Veterinary Practice
Northvet Veterinary Group
Paragon Veterinary Group
Parklands Veterinary Group
Penbode Veterinary Group
ProStock Vets
Rosevean Veterinary Practice
Rutland Veterinary Centre
Scarsdale Veterinary Group
Scott Mitchell Associates
Severn Edge Veterinary Group
Shepton Veterinary Group
Shropshire Farm Vets
St Boniface Veterinary Clinic
Synergy Farm Health
Thrums Veterinary Group
Tyndale Vets
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.
SUMMER EDITION
C O N T E N T S
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 XLVets 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.
THE ED I TOR
Welcome to the
‘Summer’
issue of Livestock Matters
In this issue we focus on infectious diseases;
with the national XLVets BVD Free initiative
now running we look at how the disease is
transmitted and the practical steps that
can be taken to reduce the potential for
the disease to spread. BVD is just one
disease XLVets will be featuring in the
'Make your farm your fortress' campaign
that will launch at the Livestock Event.
We also have a report from one farm
where dairy herd performance was
suffering and, following a series of
investigations, two strains of Mycoplasma
were found to be at the root of their
problems. We see how a custom-made
vaccine was developed to solve the issue
and restore the health and performance
of the herd. Finally we take a look at
parasites in sheep; focusing on those to
look out for now and in the coming months,
with advice on treatment options.
XLVets and FarmSkills will once again be
exhibiting at the Livestock Event, taking
place on 2nd and 3rd July, come along
and see us on Stand AH-97. We will also
be at the National Sheep Event at Malvern
on 30th July, where visitors will have the
chance to speak to XLVets vets who are
on-hand to discuss any aspect of sheep
health. Come along and try one of the
challenges on offer at either event, for
your chance to win one of the FarmSkills
green buckets!
We hope you enjoy this issue.
Joanne Sharpe
XLVets
BVD FEATURE
05
Getting to grips with BVD; busting the
myths and tackling the facts:
Miranda Macinnes, Calweton Veterinary
Group explains how to get to grips with
BVD by busting the myths and tackling the
facts of this infectious disease.
ANIMAL HEALTH
07
A custom-made vaccine helps restore
health and performance of a dairy herd
with Mycoplasma infections:
Colin Lindsay, Capontree Veterinary
Centre reveals the discovery of a new
vaccine to protect cows from
Mycoplasma infections.
09
Exploring the external parasites in sheep:
Rod Welford, Millcroft Veterinary
Group provides advice on identifying
ecto-parasites in your flock, allowing for
the correct treatment to be administered
and suitable control programmes to be
implemented on farm.
INDUSTRY FEATURE
25
Student Diaries:
Our second reports from veterinary
students Alice McLeish and Antonia
Matthews.
BIOSECURITY FEATURE
FarmSkills introduce their spearheading campaign
to put biosecurity at the top of farmers ‘to do lists’.
17
Make Your Farm Your Fortress:
Paul Rodgers, Allen & Partners offers
some advice to cattle farmers on taking
precautions against TB.
21
Protecting your herd from bovine
TB (bTB) with biosecurity measures:
Kenneth Wilson, Donald S McGregor
and Partners provides an overview of the
science of vaccination, and explores
how effective practical implementation
of vaccination protocols on farm can
be achieved.
23
Getting the best out of sheep
vaccinations:
CONTENTS