We have tested a number of herds in the practice, and about half of these herds are positive. Many of these positive farms have never knowingly had a clinical case of Johnes. It is important that infected farms adopt measures for disease control to stop the problem becoming more widespread. This can be as simple as altering a few calf management procedures. In herds that are free from Johnes disease it is important that we ensure suitable measures are in place to prevent the disease entering the herd. 

To find out if you have a Johnes problem, we can run a bulk milk test for you (£11.50). As a   result of the Farm health Planning Initiative, there is available a free 30 minute consultation on Johnes Disease control to the first 10 farmers to apply. Please ring the practice and let Cathy know if you are interested. 

BLUETONGUE

There is widespread concern about the impact of bluetongue at present. Disease is spread from infected cattle and sheep by midges biting uninfected animals. The more infected animals and infected midges in any area, the greater the risk of infection and severity of disease.

You will minimise the risk of disease in your herd if you avoid purchase of animals that could be infected. Several farmers have imported cattle this winter that have proven to be infected. Secondly vaccination will increase immunity to disease. Vaccination will only be allowed in the protection zones. If you intend to vaccinate your herd or flock, please let us know the numbers of animals involved, as this will help us to ensure vaccine is available when required.

The vector free period will end at midnight on 15th March 2008. If you want to move cattle/sheep out of the protection or surveillance zones (except for slaughter) they will need blood  sampling. This takes at least 7 days from blood sampling to you receiving the paperwork to allow movements so please book tests in before the 6th March. From this time movements out of the PZ and SZ can only occur direct to slaughter and for vaccinated animals.

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FARM OFFICE INFORMATION

EASIER PAYMENT SYSTEM

The practice has now set up a BACS payment system. This will allow clients to pay by direct debit and will save time and hassle writing cheques. If this will help you in running your business, please complete the enclosed Direct Debit Mandate and return to us

OPENING TIMES

The farm office normal opening times are from 8a.m. to 6p.m.  Monday-Friday. We would greatly  appreciate it if all medicine orders are phoned through during the week to enable orders to be packed ready for collection. Orders can be collected on Saturdays between 8.30a.m. and 12.30p.m. if pre-ordered on Friday.

CLUSTER FLUSHING

There has been a lot of interest in cluster flushing following milking. The principles are that if you disinfect milking units after every cow you reduce the number of bugs on the liner and so the spread of infection will be reduced. This is certainly true and Roger Blowey produced some     interesting data at the SW Dairy Show on this.

While cluster flushing does reduce spread, there is no proof as yet that there are significant benefits. Back in the late 1960’s a large mastitis trial was carried out called MFE and this was the basis on which all current mastitis control measures were based. As part of this trial, they       disinfected clusters between cows and their research showed that this had minimal impact on cell counts compared to teat dipping etc.

The causes of clinical mastitis have changed with the majority now being due to environmental bugs, and this means keeping teats really clean. There may be some benefit from cluster dipping in herds with high levels of clinical mastitis. However, it would be far better to   concentrate on clean udders and teats coming into the parlour and good milking hygiene.

We have lots of herds in the practice with low cell counts and also low levels of clinical mastitis. These herds all have one thing in common, good attention to detail and none cluster flush. The photo shows good teat prep in one of our herds. If you put clean units on dirty teats you will get more mastitis. If you would like to discuss this further then please contact Peter Edmondson   before you run off with your cheque book!!

VACCINATION REMINDERS

Blackleg — We are seeing more and more blackleg each year. The first thing you see will be dead youngstock. There is a vaccine which is 100% effective and can be given at the same time as Huskvac. The cost is less than 80p per animal for the two doses.

FARM DOGS — It is essential all farm dogs are vaccinated annually against Lepto as well as the cattle. Dogs can get infected from rats and drinking dirty water around farms. Again Lepto in dogs can pass to humans and cause serious illness/fatalities. All farm pets should also be wormed 4 times a year to help prevent tapeworm infections in livestock. This is a requirement for farm assurance.