News

With the clocks going back last weekend, it seems as though Winter has crept up on us once more, the abundance of grass and dry conditions under foot is keeping many cattle at pasture for now. Grass quality will be falling in energy particularly with the shorter day length so some supplements may be sensible. The winter housing season is always when we see an increase in the...

It was great to see a good turnout at the Bath & West Dairy show last week, it is always lovely to see you for a chat and a cuppa when time isn’t such a pressure. We seem to have seen an upturn in the number of TB breakdowns over the past year, so rather than continuing as sitting ducks, waiting for the inevitable, there are a number of steps that can be taken to help...

We will be in attendance at the SW Dairy Show at the Bath & West again this year on the 1st October. Please call by for a cuppa and cake, while we catch up for a chat! We are seeing some cases of lungworm in sheep, generally lungworm in sheep is thought of as a low-grade infection which we occasionally diagnose. However, this year, we are seeing actual disease with...

We have recently seen a few cases of the sheep stomach worm; Haemonchus (Barbers Pole Worm). The risk of haemonchosis in grazing sheep and goats is high at the moment, particularly if we begin to see some grass growth. This tropical/subtropical parasite is able to survive in warmer temperatures than our more usual gut parasites. Clinical signs are anaemia, with no diarrhoea,...

I think we need some rain; I cannot see much in the forecast I am afraid! Be aware of those spring calvers that are going to the bull now and assess if they need supplementing, cows losing weight will struggle to conceive, especially in this heat. I am pleased to see many of you taking advantage of the FETF Grant funding, it is an ideal opportunity to upgrade your handling...

We are sad to see Jonathon retire from practice this month. Jonathan has taken the difficult decision after struggling with his shoulder injury for some time and the need for surgery. He chose to leave quietly and without fuss, as was his way! We wish him well for his retirement and thank him for his service over the last 10 years. I realise quite a few of you didn’t have the...

It was great to see so many of you at the North Somerset Show, the stand was busy all day, and we really enjoyed offering you some refreshments, the hats went down well too! The winners of our brain teaser were Brenda Wear of Butcombe and Trina Lock of Blagdon, close runners up were The Janes family, Ian & Lucy Marshall & family and James & Rachel Hardwidge. Well...

What a spell of dry weather! It is a long time since I have written that in a spring newsletter. Grass growth will hopefully follow once the frosty weather leaves us behind. The Cull trade continues to be particularly strong, as many of the spring calves are hitting the ground it is a good time to be selecting cows that should be culled and not run back with the bull. A...

It certainly felt like spring was in the air at the weekend, despite the cold nights some beautifully sunny days certainly helps to lift everyone’s spirits! The recent movement of the Blue Tongue Zone has certainly focused our minds with regard to thinking about vaccination. We have been inundated with enquiries over the past week, and it hard to give a yes/no answer to...

You may have read that we are now in the ‘vector low period’ for Blue Tongue Virus (BTV). This is a big relief as we have escaped the disease for this season, although the restriction zone did reach Wiltshire, having crossed the channel into England in August last year; too close for comfort or complacency. Data from Europe has shown this strain (BTV3) to be more virulent...