News

As the summer season gets underway, it’s time to shift focus from lambing to maximising lamb growth rates.

Following on from our mobility scoring benchmarking I thought we would use this month's newsletter to delve into mobility a bit further. 

Fly Control - There are 20 common species of flies that feed on cattle, which can be categorized as either biting or non-biting/nuisance flies. 

Abortion in sheep is a major cause of flock losses across the UK, leading to significant financial and welfare challenges. 

Unfortunately, with the advent of spring parasite season will soon be upon us. It's worth planning ahead for risks - particularly Bluetongue virus. 

Pre-calving blood tests offer valuable diagnostic insights into the metabolic status of your cows. 

Keeping your horse healthy! We're looking forward to seeing you at another informative equine client evening in April.

Bring your friends along and enjoy another of our quizzes on 20th November

We discuss "It is impossible to meet our officially bTB-free targets with the current testing policy' 

We look at how to achieve the smoothest wean, whether that be for the suckler herd or the dairy calf, considering the nutritional level and stocking density. 

We welcome a couple of new members to the team and share news of our upcoming client evening.

This month, we're diving into cattle handling and safety. With dehorning and castration season just around the corner, it's a perfect time to chat about making those routines smoother for everyone involved. 

Worm burdens are all too familiar a territory to sheep producers but become an ever more persistent burden to the industry. 

Ketosis is a condition caused by the cattle being in Negative Energy Balance (NEB), typically around calving when the start of lactation causes energy demands to increase dramatically.  

Some of the team were able to join Will when he was recently awarded Young Dairy Farm Vet of the Year at the 2024 Cream Awards.

In the latest newsletter we explore some of the positive results from those undertaking AI refreshers. We also look at an increased risk of Lungworm recently.

'It is impossible to meet our officially bTB-free targets with the current testing policy'  - a statement recently made in an opinion piece submitted to the Vet Record.     

Making the most of the grazing is the most financially impactful step a livestock farm can make. Grazing grass is the cheapest feed stuff, yet it can be full of quality nutrition for growing stock as well as suckler cows.  

Kat Hart features in the latest FARMERS WEEKLY on the importance of cleaning and calibrating a Brix refractometer every time it is used.

As you are probably aware, we have seen many cases of Schmallenberg this year in England. Numerous farmers have had to deal with deformed lambs and high mortality rates. 

Before the main newsletter, DEFRA have announced that they will be providing additional support to those of you who have completed the Annual Health and Welfare Review. 

We are delighted to have been assessed as "Outstanding" for our Small Animal In-patient care and also for Small Animal Environmental Sustainability.

This month we cover the main culprits and the key things to bear in mind when faced with the challenge of abortion. 

Body condition scroring - With Spring grass on its way, this is a good time to body condition score your Equine to see if they are at optimum weight! 

Effective vaccination protocols are becoming increasingly important as we push for lower levels of disease and antibiotic usage.  

Following on from the CMA published report today The George Veterinary Group welcomes the formal market investigation announced.   

Using data to drive management decisions and improve productivity, I am keen to emphasize the metrics you can record over the coming lambing period and beyond. 

One thing that is inevitable are flies. Although it seems early now is a good time to think about fly control. 

Having achieved our bronze award in 2021, we have continued our commitment towards a more sustainable future with a silver award in 2022 and 2023.

It's been an interesting winter so far, with turnout hopefully just round the corner. Now's the time to think about how you're going to control parasites this grazing season. 

In Feb we are holding two beef benchmarking meetings. With the start of the calving season fast approaching it is a suitable time to highlight the importance of data collection on beef farms. 

With skilled farm labour hard to find and making time for tasks on farm often difficult, our vet techs can help by doing some of the jobs that often get pushed back. 

Bluetongue is a viral disease which affects sheep, cattle, other ruminant species such as deer and goats, and camelids. 

Pneumonia season is well underway - I'd like to encourage prompt use of a thermometer whenever you have the slightest suspicion that a calf is looking under the weather. 

Introductions, goodbyes and another Client Evening just around the corner

Over the last two years the embryo services offered at the George have grown to provide a number of options on farm for improving genetic gain and exploring alternative breeding options.   

The "Vet Attestation" or Statutory Health Attestation is a new veterinary certification that will be required from the 13th  December 2023. This is required to allow products of animal origins to be exported to the EU.  

As we approach housing and an acute risk period we should all be thinking about liver fluke. 

We strongly encourage both our clients and team members to take part in the forum to present a fully rounded picture of your experiences to the CMA 

After two successful sheep benchmarking meetings recently and with the start of the tupping season fast approaching, now seems like the right time to highlight how important record keeping and data collection can be. 

Good calf housing is key to having healthy calves 

Sudden death in cattle is a worrying but fortunately rare event on farm. However, it is important to be able to recognise, prevent and sometimes treat the causes of unexpected deaths.  

A short summary of our training courses from the farm team for the remainder of 2023

A smallholder visit includes discussions which include housing, nutrition, body condition scoring, vaccination planning, parasite control and other important things! 

Since running the BCVA Lantra Accredited foot trimming courses, Sarah shares a few tips for applying blocks which wil prove useful. 

We shed some light on what we at The George Farm Vets can offer our clients with the new Animal Health and Welfare Pathway Scheme, and how best to use the money from the government

What have we been up to, and what's ahead? Find out more in our latest newsletter along with articles on laminitis and cracked feet.

From 10th June 2024, it will be compulsory for all cats to have a microchip implanted by the time they reach 20 weeks of age. If a cat is found to not have a microchip, the owner will have 21 days to have one implanted or may face a fine of up to £500.

Ewes reach peak milk yield three to four weeks post lambing and so they need good quality grass to this point. If this isn't available, supplementation is necessary to meet the growing nutritional demands of the lambs at foot.  

The temperature comfort zone or 'thermoneutral zone' for a cow ranges from -15°C to +25°C. Outside this range, cows have to use coping mechanisms to maintain a stable core temperature. 

The last 12 months has seen more changes to the UK's TB policy and so here is a brief update on what the current state of 'TB' affairs looks like. 

It's Spring and so lambing and kidding is in full swing. We also take a look at poisonous plants and separately you will find a focus on pig vaccination.

The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway (AHWP) is a new government plan introduced as part of the Sustainable Farming Initiative.  

Round up of seasonal topics and events from the equine vets at The George

Now is the key time to be thinking about an effective and economic rearing plan to get the most return from the long hours spent getting lambs on the ground 

As you are all already aware, the quality of your bull or bull semen has a major impact on the fertility performance of your herd. 

As we head towards Spring and turning out cattle there are lots of things to think about pre-turnout. One of these is lungworm. 

Having a well balanced diet containing the right amount of energy, protein and mineral is a key part of having a productive and healthy herd, especially around calving. 

We all dread the day walking into the calf shed to find sick calves which are off their feed and showing signs of pneumonia. 

Our winter newsletter covers preparing for lambing, clostridial diseases, vitamin D deficiency in alpacas and chicken worming.

The cost of fuel, maintenance and the running of our vehicles has significantly increased over the last year. Whilst we have managed to honour our no-fee visits throughout, we have decided to review our daytime visit fees with effect from 1st January 2023.  

We are delighted to announce that we have now received our SILVER accreditation following our recent audit with Investors in the Environment, having been awarded bronze in 2021. 

As we have had one of the hottest and driest summers on record we are expecting a lower than normal, or possibly a delayed, liver fluke season. 

With increasing pressure to reduce antibiotic use, some farms are now opting not to treat clinical mastitis cases. There are situations where this would be a suitable approach but it will not be a good option for all farms. 

Find out what the team have been up to over the last few months as well as our thoughts on the coming season.

The most efficient period in a cow's life for converting feed to growth is during the first 2 months of life. This period is critical.

A quick update on all the services we provide to smallholders, with your own newsletter.

Our new Donkey Health Club is launching. An exclusive club with many benefits.  

With housing season approaching DD is a condition that is likely to rear its head after a hot dry spell and it would seem an apt time to revisit the mainstay of DD management.  

With housing around the corner, lots of farms are getting ready to fluke-dose all their cattle. But is this really necessary? 

September brings our focus back to the importance of biosecurity and how preventing new infections benefits health, welfare and production.

The challenging weather conditions experienced across the UK mean that, with tupping just around the corner, it is more important than ever to check the tups and ewes thoroughly before being put to work. 

As prices of feed and fertilizers become less predictable, making a business plan resilient is key.  

Our seasonal update from the equine clinic team with information on acupuncture, vaccinations and behaviour modification. 

Pain relief is an essential part of caring for any animal but production animals often mask signs of pain and discomfort. Knowing what to use, when to use it and if it has been effective can be a challenge. 

As the busy calving season winds down, now seems a good time to think about how we can make improvements for next year. Maximising calving ease should be a pnonty for any suckler herd as difficult calvings can be extremely costly. 

Blowfly strike is a major animal welfare concern: an average of 1.5% of ewes and 3% of lambs in the UK may be affected each year, despite preventative measures undertaken by most farmers.  

What is Ketosis - this is month's newsletter from the George Farm Vets covers Ketosis and the issues associated with it.

Herd health planning can be incredibly useful - it allows farm staff and vets the opportunity to review the past year, find potential issues and  implement a plan to try and improve welfare, productivity and in turn profitability.  

Bovine Tuberculosis update for you from The George Farm Vets as well as details on upcoming meetings and launching our inaugural Cow Convention.

As we emerge from winter into spring there is much we can be doing for our horses.

We are helping a local vet and friend of the practice who is organising help for two charities in south-east Poland to help those fleeing Ukraine.

We discuss the many changes dairy cattle go through from the day of drying off to reaching peak yield in the following lactation post-calving. 

Reducing the fly population through the spring and summer can be a time-consuming headache and the consequences of Summer Mastitis and New Forest Eye are expensive, and frustrating.

On paper, getting a cow in calf is a  simple three step process; bulling (estrus), service and conception. In practice, a multitude of factors commonly result in a frustrating barren cow.   

Our seasonal opening hours to take you through Christmas safely.

Staff updates, events, worming reminder, 2022 pub quiz, PPID and next year's Christmas card are all among the topics covered by the team in our latest edition.

A recent study suggested that only 5% of UK flocks routinely test for iceberg diseases and therefore a staggering 95% of flocks are not optimising productivity!

Have you ever considered how much water a cow requires?

We are pleased to confirm that we have a Red Tractor approved medicines training course. This course will enable you to meet the new requirement.

Yearling heifers - breeding the best. Heifers are a fundamental component of any breeding plan; they represent both the genetic foundation of future breeding stock and a significant investment in terms of rearing costs. 

The recent dry weather has brought with it a large variation in day and night temperatures and many still days; both of which can be a challenge to calf health.  

Read about Jo Gillingham's recent volunteering here and on our Facebook page.

Awareness, resilience and how to find help in our latest edition of the George Farm Vets newsletter                                  

Information correct at time of posting (September 2021) - always check the regulations prior to competitions & events

Feeding cattle indoors is a fine art and it is often discussed that there 3 possible diets a cow might be eating.

Are you coming along? We are joined this year by 4 speakers and a host of companies from the industry.  

Sudden death in cattle is a distressing event and always a cause of concern on farm.  

Following a consultation in 2018, DEFRA announced that default 6 monthly TB surveillance testing of cattle herds with Official Tuberculosis Free status (OTF) would replace annual testing in the High Risk Area (HRA) of England.

With the commitment both you and we have put in, we don't want to ruin it all by simply removing all restrictions.