Testing to identify Bovine Tuberculosis in cattle
Background
Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic notifiable disease in cattle caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium bovis.
Early efforts at detecting TB in cattle relied solely on physical examination of the animal, but despite the fact that there were...
A European approach to facing the challenges of climate change in ruminant agriculture
By, Dr. Ruth Wonfor, IBERS, Aberystwyth University
Researchers at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University have recently led a European collaborative review summarising present research in mathematical modelling of European ruminant production under climate change. The...
Pen y Gelli - Rotational Grazing
Here's Gethin Davies our Red Meat Technical Officer for North Wales visiting Pen y Gelli, one of our focus sites to see their new rotational grazing system.
English Subtitles available on YouTube.
Use of alternative forages for helminth control
With the rising incidence of resistance to broad spectrum anthelmintics in sheep systems, there is increasing interest in the use of novel methods to control helminth infections. There is also a need to reduce chemical inputs for some markets to...
Roundworms and anthelmintic resistance
Roundworms, or nematodes (especially gastro-intestinal nematodes - GIN), are some of the most common parasites of sheep. Symptoms for GIN in sheep vary dependent on the parasite present, but generally include scours, severe weight loss and anaemia. Sub-clinical cases present...
Breaking the Digital Dermatitis Cycle: The who, what, when, why and how of footbathing
By Sara Pedersen BSc(Hons) BVetMed CertCHP DBR MRCVS,
RCVS Specialist in Cattle Health and Production, Farm Dynamics Ltd, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan
Why footbath?
Footbathing plays an important role in the prevention and control of digital dermatitis (DD) alongside improved hygiene...
Parasite Control: Liver Fluke
Liver fluke or Fasciola hepatica is a common parasite of livestock. A liver fluke infection causes ill health, as well as a reduction in growth rates and reproductive performance in affected livestock. Over recent years it has been acknowledged that...
The Digital Dermatitis Cycle
By Sara Pedersen BSc(Hons) BVetMed CertCHP DBR MRCVS RCVS Specialist in Cattle Health and Production, Farm Dynamics Ltd, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan
Even if digital dermatitis (DD) isn’t at the fore-front of the lameness problem on a farm, it is almost always...
White drench resistance in Nematodirus battus
A study is underway to identify the scale of resistance in the Nematodirus battus parasite to white drenches.
Nematodirus battus is a roundworm that infects young lambs, typically 6-8 weeks old, and can affect their health and performance. In acute cases...