SPRING FARM NEWS March 2025
In this issue: Events and Reminders
Greetings It definitely feels like spring is upon us with the sun shining and the daffodils in bloom but we will no doubt be in for a bit of wintery weather yet snow often arriving until April in parts of the county. It seems many sheep clients have delayed lambing slightly this year to try and hit more favorable weather for turning ewes and lambs out. Spring calving is also underway with a splurge of late nights (and maybe a speeding ticket or two!) for our farm team. We ’ ve seen a number of herds experiencing problems with abortion this year. Although most cases have been due to opportunistic pathogens, it is an important reminder to investigate abortions wherever possible to try and head off further problems. It is even more important to be vigilant this spring with the current concerns around bluetongue.
Farm grants
Disease forecast
Problems at calving
Pneumonia in dairy herds
Optimising ewe nutrition
Disbudding goats
An interesting case:
Farm Grants: coming soon! AHW Pathway Expansion - farmers can now apply for Part 1 & 2 of the AHWP for more than one species. Farming equipment and technology fund - £1000 - £25,000 for essential equipment to boost productivity, improve slurry management and enhance animal welfare.
Events and Reminders
Medicines and Milksure courses Dates and times tbc - contact the practice to register interest
Flock health club: come along to our next meeting in May
With many sheep farmers delaying lambing this year in hope of better weather we have also seen a delay in the inevitable abortion outbreaks. If you are having any trouble please don ’ t hesitate to call so we can investigate the cause and help advise on treatment and prevention.
Disease forecast
Thin ewes have been a common complaint this winter during our flock health planning discussions. Whilst there are many things that can contribute to ewes being in poor condition, including fluke which has been a particular menace this winter, it is probably too late by now to completely correct before flocks being lambing. Never - the - less, investigating the causes of thin ewes now may help prevent similar problems next year. Monitoring body condition before, through and after tupping time can help guide supplementary feed requirements through the winter period when lambs are not pulling on them quite as much as they are in late pregnancy and condition can be gained. Nutritional bleeds can be a really useful tool to help fine tune ewes diets to help them support late pregnancy, colostrum production and milk yield later on. If we get these things wrong, ewes and lambs can really struggle and get off to a poor start. Abortions in ewes don ’ t seem to have been as much of a problem for many as in other years. This maybe due to good vaccine uptake and better immunity within flocks to some of the most common causes or it may be a bit of pot luck. Shmallenberg has caused problems in some early lambing flocks and shepherds should be on the look out for anything that may fit; lambs with deformed backs and legs are the give away of shmallenberg infection. The other midge bourne disease that is giving cause for concern is bluetongue. Whether it rears its ugly head depends on if it manages to overwinter in the midge populations. Should we begin seeing cases again as the temperature warms up it may be a prudent idea to discuss vaccination of sheep and cattle to prevent potentially devastating losses.
Problems at Calving
Kathryn Stott
As spring approaches so does our busiest time for calvings. Whilst we do see calvings all year round, there is always a peak in spring. The ideal calving will always be a healthy calf, born from a healthy dam, with minimal intervention. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and sometimes we get called out to assist. The timing of intervention is one of the most significant factors that can influences a successful calving outcome. Giving the cow enough time to allow her to open up and the calf to engage in the cor- rect position is always important. In some cases though, no amount of time will allow the cow to give birth unassisted. So the question is, how much time do you give them before you intervene?
Labour is categorised into three different stages:
Stage 1
dilation of the cervix and the start of contractions to
get the calf into its normal position.
6 hours—it is important not to rush at this point as
attempting to pull the calf put before the cow is fully
dilated can result in tearing to the cow ’ s birth canal.
By the end of this stage you should be able to feel
the calf ’ s feet within the birth canal.
Stage 2
Expulsion of the calf; typically begins when the
‘ water bag ’ appears
30mins to 4 hours
Stage 3
Expulsion of the placenta
Within 6 hours of birth
There are many ways a calf can present abnormally. A calf should be coming with two front feet and a head. When checking a calf ’ s position, you need to ask, how many legs do I have, and are they front legs or back legs? The presence of the head or a tail is usually the biggest indicator of if the calf is coming forwards or backwards, but it isn ’ t always that easy to determine. If the legs you can feel are front legs, they should bend in the shape of a C, as the two joints (fetlock and knee) bend the same way.
If they are back legs, they will bend in the shape of a Z, as the fetlock and hock bend in the oppo- site directions. If you have determined they are back legs, you do not need to waste your time looking for a head, but you do need to determine if the calf is upside down or not. If the calf has- n ’ t engaged correctly, it may be upside down as well as backwards, meaning the calf ’ s spine is facing the cow ’ s belly. Due to the way the calf spine bends, they cannot be pulled put this way, and need to be flipped around so the calf ’ s spine is against the cows spine.
If the calf is coming spine to spine, they can be pulled out as long as they are not too big. If the calf is coming hocks first with bent legs, the best way to get the feet out is push the calf back in to make more room, and then get a hand around the feet, being careful to cover the hoof with your hand so it does not cause any damage to the uterus. If you can get the feet up into the pelvis and place ropes, you can then pull the calf out. Be aware that once the umbilical breaks, the calf is at risk of asphyxiation, so as soon as the pelvis is out, you need to get the calf ’ s head out quickly.
If the calf is coming forwards, the most common reasons they are not coming normally is a head back or a leg back. This is fixed by using a rope to pull the head or leg into place. Due to the size of cows, the weight of the calf, and the pressure inside the uterus it can be difficult to get a rope around the bit you need to pull it into place. Our biggest tips will be to push the calf back, further into the uterus, as it gives you more room to manipulate. Whenever manipulating a calf, you should always use lots of lubrication, as not only will it make this easier, it will prevent you caus- ing any damage or tears to the cow. If you are struggling then you may need veterinary assis- tance. There may be a lack of room, for example with twins. But we can give drugs that relax the uterine muscles, allowing more space as it prevents the contracting uterus from getting smaller.
Large calf
Even if a calf is coming in the normal presentation, it does not always mean the calving will be simple. Sometimes the calf is simply too large, or the mother too small in her pelvis and the sooner this is identified and the vet is called, the higher chance of a positive outcome.
Tell - tale signs that suggest a calf is too large
the front legs will cross if the shoulders are too wide you cant comfortably place a hand around the back of the head and past the shoulders
Remember!!
The shoulders are not always the widest part of the calf, specially if you have used a bull with double muscling. The bum can be larger than the shoulders and can cause “ hip lock ” when it is too big. This can be difficult to fix and often results in the fatality of the calf and damage to the dam.
Undilated cervix
Occasionally labour does not seem to progress; this can be due to the cervix not dilating as it should. Calf positioning may be incorrect, meaning the cervix is not stimulated to dilate, it can also be due to low calcium, or sometimes the receptors required to cause dilation are malfunc- tioning. We suggest in these cases, administering some calcium, giving her time, and if you can get ropes on the feet, pulling the calf up to place pressure on the cervix, allowing it to fully dilate before pulling the calf. More commonly, a cow may not appear to have opened up her cervix is due to the uterus being twisted. There is still not a lot known about why a cow gets a twisted uterus, but it has been as- sociated with deep bellied cows and oversized calves.
Suspect a torsion when the cervix is not opening, and the calf seems to be turned the wrong way. If the twist has occurred before the cervix, it can often be felt as you enter the vagina, your hand will naturally follow the twist before it reaches the calf. Occasionally they do happen after the cervix which are a bit more difficult to feel. They can be felt rectally, with the cervix and uterus feeling like a tight rope due to the pressure it is under. These can be difficult for farmers to do by themselves as the calf needs to be rotated until the uterus is no longer twisted. It is very unlikely a twist will self correct, they may dilate partially but if you suspect it then please
Aftercare
Circumstances
Product
Benefits
Difficult calving Big calf Long calving lots of manipula- Lots of manipula- tions Smelly calv- ing Tears
Metacam (1ml/40kg)
Painkiller – will assist the cow in eating and milk let down for the cow Anti - inflammatory – reduce inflammation after lots of manipulation of the calf Prevent infection within the uterus which can make the cow sick further down the line and re- duce fertility in the future.
NSAIDs (pain - killers)
Ketofen (1ml/33kg)
Betamox LA (1ml/10kg)
Penstrep for 3 days (1ml/25kg)
Antibiotics
Combiclav for 3 days (1ml/20kg)
All calvings (particularly down cows)
Electrolytes “ Fresh Cow ” sachet
Hydrates the cow quickly when they have been struggling for a while Replenishes electrolytes “ fresh cow ” contains calcium, appetite stimulants and electrolytes, but has to be pumped into the cow Cows can often get what we call “ uterine inertia ” due to pushing for a long time. This exhausts them, which can contribute to them not getting on with calving, as well as making them prone to milk fe- ver. Supplementing them with calcium after (or even during) a difficult calving helps to prevent this.
Warm water
Prolonged calv- ings, large calf, twins
Calciject under the skin (warmed up)
Bovicalc bolus into the ru- men
Calcium
PNEUMONIA IN DAIRY HERDS
How bad can it be?
Charlotte Havercroft
It is fair to say that so far in 2025 we have seen our fair share of pneumonia cases out and about. Owing in part to arctic maritime airmass bringing cold temperatures to the UK as well as wintry showers, especially in northern regions. Then shortly followed by warmer air and then back to storm warnings. We have certainly had our mix of weather, myself being out on farm one morn- ing TB testing in several layers or thermals reading - 8 on the van, to then stable temps in the low positives. We know that this changeable air is tough on our livestock, at a time when most cattle are in- doors and therefore at higher risk of bacteria and viral pathogens spreading. Pneumonia is typi- cally frustrating, in some instances animals bounce back and seem to have taken no harm but we know that the damage it causes to the lungs will always remain a blight on the animals productiv- ity no matter how quickly they return to health. The direct costs of treating affected cattle include veterinary care, antibiotics, and other medications, while indirect costs stem from reduced growth rates in calves and decreased milk yields in adult cows.
Impact on Calf Growth and Development
Calves affected by pneumonia often experience stunted growth and developmental delays. Ac- cording to a study conducted by the APHA found that calves that contracted pneumonia experi- enced an average reduction in daily weight gain of 0.2 - 0.3 kg/day, compared to healthy calves. The effects on growth are particularly concern- ing as they can lead to delays in reaching market weight or optimal breeding age. Even calves that do recover from pneumonia often face long - term health challenges. They may have compromised lung capacity or re- duced resilience to future infections, which can have a lasting effect on their overall productivi- ty. Further studies have shown that calves that have suffered from pneumonia had reduced
Mortality (rate of death) following severe
pneumonia in heifers less than 3 months
of age was increased by nearly 20%
Heifer body weight was reduced by 10kg
at 3 months, and 29 kg at 14 months.
Outbreaks in heifers over 3 months were
also estimated to reduce body weight at
14 months by 30 kg
Increased age to first calving by 2 weeks
Reduction in 1st lactation yield by 4%
Reduction in 2nd lactation yield by 8%
109 less days in milk
What may seem like a blip at a young age in a calf with a case of pneu- monia can have far wider ranging consequences on it ’ s time in the herd.
In adult dairy cattle, pneumonia can lead to a noticeable decrease in milk yield. A study from the University of Bristol found that dairy cows with clinical pneumonia produced, on average, 10 - 12% less milk during the illness and continued to have reduced milk yield for up to 4 weeks post - recovery. Furthermore, chronic pneumonia in adult cows is linked to prolonged recovery times, with some cows never fully regaining their previous level of productivity. In extreme cas- es, pneumonia can contribute to culling, either due to prolonged illness or reduced perfor- mance, further impacting farm economics.
Treatment
The treatment of pneumonia in cattle typically includes antibiotic therapy, anti - inflammatory medications, and supportive care. Effective treatment is crucial not only for animal welfare but also for preventing ongoing issues.
Anti - inflammatory Drugs: These are a non negotiable!
Nonsteroidal anti - inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) manage the inflammation and fever associ- ated with pneumonia. These drugs not only alleviate discomfort but also support recovery by reducing stress on the animal ’ s body, allowing the immune system to function more effectively. By making the calf more comfortable we often also get the added benefit of in- creased feed and water intake which will allow calves to recover quicker.
Supportive Care
In addition to antibiotics and anti - inflammatory drugs, supportive care is crucial for recov- ery. This may include hydration therapy, particularly if the animal has reduced appetite or is dehydrated, and ensuring high - quality feed to promote appetite and healing.
Environmental Management
Environmental factors play a critical role in the development of pneumonia. Ensuring proper ven- tilation, reducing overcrowding, and managing temperature and humidity are essential to prevent the onset of respiratory infections. In the UK, where winter conditions can exacerbate respiratory disease, maintaining a well - ventilated, dry environment is especially important during the colder
months. Environ- mental manage-
Vaccination
Preventive vaccination is a cornerstone of pneumonia management. Early vaccination in calves can reduce the severity of pneumonia and the overall incidence of outbreaks. We also have drugs available on the market now with a license to administer from birth. Whilst it does take a few days for the immune system to respond to this, if pathogens are on farm it is the best chance to try and prevent severe disease. Vaccines should be tailored to the specific risks and pathogens prevalent in the farm ’ s environment – meaning, if you have outbreaks or continual cases of pneu- monia, we can either sample untreated live animals or make use and post mortem any who have unfortunately not survived. Live animals can be sampled using a few different methods and post mortem samples can (and should!) be taken from any calves that unfortunately don ’ t recover. A lot of the time we are eligible to get funding for this so it is well worth doing and you get back a profile of what was found.
OPTIMISING EWE NUTRITION
Ben Harvey
Some flocks will have finished lambing, some in the thick of it and some yet to start. Ensuring your ewes receive the right nutrition around lambing is critical for both their health and the sur- vival of their lambs. Ideally, ewes should be between a 2.5 - 3.0 at lambing; fat ewes are at risk of prolapse while thin ewes will struggle to provide sufficient milk for their lambs. The final six weeks of pregnancy is when approximately 70% of foetal growth occurs. This rapid growth places considerable demands on the ewe, making it essential to provide high - quality feed that meets her evolving nutritional needs The Importance of Feed Quality Ewes in late pregnancy require a diet rich in energy and protein to support both their own body condition and the growing lambs. Inadequate nutrition during this time can lead to metabolic dis- orders such as pregnancy toxaemia and hypocalcaemia (twin lamb disease), weaker lambs at birth, and reduced colostrum production. High - quality forage should form the foundation of the diet, but due to the increasing size of the lambs, the ewe ’ s rumen capacity is reduced, meaning she cannot consume as much bulky forage. Therefore, supplementing with concentrated feeds is necessary to meet energy and protein requirements.
Energy : A ewe carrying twins requires approximately 12 MJ of metabolisable energy (ME) per day in the final weeks of pregnancy. Good quality silage or hay should be analysed to ensure it meets these requirements, and concentrates can be added if necessary. Protein : Protein is essential for lamb development and colostrum quality. Diets should aim for a crude protein content of around 16 - 18%. Soya bean meal, rapeseed meal, and high - protein blends are excellent sources. Minerals and Vitamins : Calcium, magnesium, and selenium are critical in late pregnancy. A deficiency in calcium can lead to hypocalcaemia (part of twin lamb), while a lack of selenium can result in weak lamb syndrome. Providing a high - quality mineral supplement specifically designed for ewes in late gestation is recommended.
How Feed Should Be Given
Delivering the right feed in the correct manner is just as important as the feed itself.
Forage First : If ewes are fed on silage or hay, ensure it is offered before concentrates. This encourages better rumen function and prevents digestive upsets.
Divided Concentrate Feeding : Large amounts of concentrates should be split into at least two meals per day to prevent acidosis. Introduce them gradually over two to three weeks to al- low the rumen microbes to adapt. Access and Space : Ensure there is sufficient trough space so all ewes can eat at the same time, reducing competition and preventing weaker ewes from being pushed aside. Each ewe should have around 45 - 60 cm of trough space when feeding on concentrates.
Water Availability : Fresh, clean water is essential, especially when feeding dry concen- trates. Dehydration can lead to reduced feed intake and metabolic issues.
The Importance of Feed Analysis and Sampling Many farmers rely on their silage or hay as the main source of nutrition, but its actual nutritional content can vary widely. This is why regular feed analysis is essential. By understanding the quali- ty of forage, farmers can make informed decisions on supplementation.
Silage and Hay Testing : Send samples for laboratory analysis to determine ME, protein con- tent, and fibre levels. This information helps balance the diet with the correct concentrates.
Concentrate Feed Testing : If purchasing blends or compound feeds, request a nutrient breakdown from your supplier to ensure it matches your ewes' needs.
Ration Formulation : Once you have forage and concentrate analysis we can help you formu- late a ration specific to your ewes. This will take into account current BCS of the ewes and number of lambs carried.
Typical value
Low
High
Dry matter %
25 - 35%
15 - 25%
35 - 45%
Crude protein %
11 - 15%
7 - 11%
15%+
Metabolisable energy MJ/kg DM
10.4 - 11
9 - 10.3
11.1 - 12.8
pH
3.8
3.4 - 3.7
4.2 - 4.6
Sugars %
2 - 4%
0 - 2%
4 - 6%
Ash %
5 - 8%
0 - 5%
9 - 15%
Blood tests from a sample of ewes can assess energy balance, protein status, and key minerals such as copper and selenium. This can help identify any deficiencies early and adjust diets accord- ingly. Early lambing sheep should be sampled 2 - 3 weeks before lambing to get an idea of how the ewes are coping; the cost of this sampling and advice can be covered by the latest phase of the animal health and welfare pathway.
Ensuring optimal nutrition for ewes before lambing is one of the most important manage- ment task on a sheep farm. High - quality feed, delivered appropriately, and backed by regular sampling and analysis, can significantly im- prove lamb survival rates, colostrum quality, and ewe health. By paying close attention to these key aspects, you can set your flock up for a successful lambing season and a productive year ahead.
DISBUDDING GOATS
Bethany Collins
What is disbudding?
Disbudding of goat kids is a procedure that
is usually undertaken within seven days of
birth and involves using a hot iron to re-
move the horn buds before they develop.
Goat ’ s kids ’ horns develop rapidly; by 14
days of age the developing horn tissue will
have attached to the skull and is more diffi-
cult to remove
Why do we disbud?
Goats are naturally curious and exhibit lots of exploratory browsing behaviour making them prone to getting their horns caught in fences, hedges or other parts of their environment which can cause injury and distress. Unfortunately, goats can injure each other when playing or fighting and this can lead to wounds and infections that need veterinary treatment. They can also cause injury to their handlers and so many owners decide to disbud in order to be able to work with them more safely.
How do we perform disbuds?
Disbudding of goats must be done by a registered veterinary surgeon; it is a skilled procedure that should be carried out in a way that minimises pain and distress to the kid. Goats are very sensitive to local anaesthetic agents and so unfortunately cannot be disbudded conscious, in a similar manner to calves. Instead, vets induce general anaesthesia prior to disbudding to be able to quickly and effectively remove the horn buds with as little pain and distress as possible. Long lasting pain relief is also provided at the time to help ensure the kids bounce back to normal as soon as they wake up.
AN INTERESTING CASE
Eye enucleation
Cara Hatfield
A few months ago I ended up doing a couple of enucleations on farm. Both of the animals made a great recovery, and have since been sold for fat, one making over £2000! All in all, this procedure is well worth performing in the cases that require it as. The need for enucleation can arise for several reasons as there can be many diseases that affect the eye such as silage eye or new forest eye. If these conditions are not addressed promptly, they can lead to serious health issues, poten- tially necessitating the removal of the eye, also known as enucleation.
Enucleation refers to removal of just they eye itself, however the procedure performed on farm involves the removal of everything within the eye socket including the eye, the muscle that con- trols it, adipose tissue and the tear glands.
One of the main concerns we encounter with owners when doing this procedures is how the ani- mal will cope with not being able to see. It is true that their vision will be impaired and they will probably need to be allowed a bit more time when moving and handling to navigate their sur- roundings but in our experience they cope very well, particularly when they have herd mates to follow and take confidence from.
Bovine Iritis (Silage Eye)
This is a frequent cause of uveitis, marked by a bluish - white opacity on the eye surface, commonly observed in cattle fed winter silage rations.
New Forest Eye (Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis)
Also known as IBK, this widespread disease can cause significant discomfort and often occurs in epidemics
Eye tumours, general eye infections and trauma
Procedure:
The procedure can be performed in standing animals, so restraint is key, including a crush and a halter to ensure to head is kept still. Sedation is often given, and was used in these cases, to keep the animals calm during the procedure. Pre - operative antibotics and anti - inflamatories are also given. The area of the eye is clipped and scrubbed for surgery and local anesthesia of the eye applied, there are a few techniques but most often we use the retrobulbar technique. The ‘ four - point ’ retrobulbar block is performed by injecting through the eyelids, at the 6 and 12 o ’ clock positions and at the edges of the eyelids. This block targets the ocular nerves very well. The eyelids are stitched together so that the eye is covered during surgery. An elliptical incision is then made in the skin, generally about 1 - 2 cm from the edge of the eyelid. In the case of a tumour, we would make sure we take enough to comfortably get all of it. It is important to leave adequate normal tissue on the upper and lower lid to allow optimal closure. The incision is continued through the subcutaneous tissue and down to the orbital muscle. We then carefully cut and disect around the orbit, until the eyeball and conjunctival sac is loosened from its muscular attachment. Once the eyeball is freed from its muscular attachments, it is possible to reach around behind the globe and find the optic stalk. Essentially, the surgery is a lot like scooping the eye out of the eye socket. The optic stalk and its blood supply can then be grasped with a pair of forceps and cut in close proximity to the eyeball. The empty eye socket is packed with sterilised swab material to prevent blood filling up the dead space. Utilising the packing material does require a further post - op visit for removal. The remaining skin around the eye is stitched together, and a section of the packing material left out for ease of removal.
Post - Operative Care
In this case, the animals were assessed three days later, and the packing material removed. Skin sutures are removed 2 - 3 weeks post - operatively. Animals recover and cope well following remov- al of an eye, there are potential impacts on the hierarchy within groups of animals, although this tends to be more of an issue when dealing with groups of bulls housed together.
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