Livestock Matters - Spring 2019

Spring Edition 2019 contents 06 Vaccines explained Vaccines: how to get the best results from vaccination programmes An overview of vaccines and their use in disease prevention/eradication, by Paul Kirkwood of Paragon Vet Group, Andy Cant of Northvet Vet Group and Miranda Macinnes of Calweton Vets. 10 Improving herd biosecurity Tightening up herd biosecurity to reduce TB testing frequency Vet Rhian Rochford of Friars Moor Livestock Health has been advising dairy farmer Peter Shallcross on badger– proofing his farm and joining a bTB accreditation scheme. 14 Johne’s disease eradication Multi–pronged strategy helps speed Johne’s disease eradication Perthshire farmer Neil McGowan has been working towards eradicating Johne’s disease with the help of his vet Graeme Richardson of Thrums Veterinary Group. Poor flock performance? Could it be Border disease? JP Crilly of Larkmead Vets outlines the signs of Border disease and advises on how to keep it out of the flock. 12 Some practical ways to badger–proof the farm and herd Vet Rhian Rochford of Friars Moor Livestock Health runs through some practical measures that farmers can take to keep badgers away from their cows. 20 Boosting trace mineral levels to safeguard fertility and herd efficiency Max Hardy of Farm Vet Solutions devised a mineral supplement strategy for farmer Did Gowling to prevent trace element deficiencies depressing his suckler herd’s fertility. 18 Instigating a colostrum protocol was first step to reducing pneumonia Before starting up a calf vaccination programme for dairy farmer Sam Tucker, Piers Pepperell of Mount Vets first advised an improved routine for colostrum management. XLVets is a collaborative group of over 450 farm vets with dedicated support teams, who endeavour to be nationally recognised as the ‘quality mark’ for livestock veterinary services. Learn more... 22 Me and My Practice: Jules Rottenbury, an R–SQP at Torch Farm Vets An interest in intestinal worms triggered a new career path for Jules Rottenbury who became an R–SQP, and has been advising farmers on their parasite control programmes. 16