Livestock Matters - Autumn 2018

2 Livestock Matters Autumn 2018 Welcome to the Autumn issue of Livestock Matters 0 the editor Gemma Allison XLVets XLVets Member Practices 1 Northvet Veterinary Group 2 Donald S McGregor and Partners 3 Thrums Veterinary Group 4 Clyde Veterinary Group 5 Armour Veterinary Group 6 Dunmuir Veterinary Group 7 Scott Mitchell Associates 8 Capontree Veterinary Centre 9 Paragon Veterinary Group 10 Millcroft Veterinary Group 11 Parklands Veterinary Group 12 Westmorland Veterinary Group 13 Kingsway Veterinary Group 14 Bishopton Veterinary Group 15 Wright & Morten 16 Lambert, Leonard & May 17 Scarsdale Veterinary Group 18 Farm Vet Solutions 19 Cain Veterinary Centre 20 Midshire Veterinary Group 21 Shropshire Farm Vets 22 608 Farm & Equine 23 Belmont Vets 24 Tyndale Vets 25 ProStock Vets 26 Allen and Partners 27 Fenton Vets 28 Farm First Veterinary Services 29 Hook Norton Veterinary Group 30 Larkmead Veterinary Group 31 Drove Vets 32 Cliffe Veterinary Group 33 Shepton Veterinary Group 34 Friars Moor Veterinary Clinic 35 Synergy Farm Health 36 St Boniface Veterinary Clinic 37 Torch Farm & Equine 38 Calweton Veterinary Group 39 Kernow Veterinary Group 40 Rosevean Veterinary Practice 41 Mount Vets 42 Black Sheep Farm Health Livestock Matters is published by: XLVet UK Ltd 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 more observant among you will have noticed we have a fresh new look! After eight great years, Livestock Matters was ready for a refresh and we hope you like it. Although the content of the articles will remain similar we hope the new style will improve the magazine’s readability with more space and slightly shorter articles. Some highlights from this issue include - Sheep scab: diagnostics, dipping, and daring to confront the neighbours. We learn how vet Vet Vicki Fisher of Farm First Veterinary Services, near Abergavenny has been advising her sheep farming clients on the strategies needed to control the parasite and prevent sheep from becoming reinfected. We also hear how a change in the management of freshly calved cows has improved the health of young calves and boosted growth rates on a Cumbrian dairy farm. Vet Matt Linnet from Millcroft Veterinary Group provides advice and veterinary support to brothers Simon and Mark Allison and their calf rearer Ewelina Teksa. Key elements of the new system are a portable milker in the calving shed which ensures a faster delivery of colostrum, and a ‘cuddle box’ for the newborn calf. We hope you enjoy this issue of Livestock Matters. 18