With Blowflies being one of the most common ectoparasites to affect sheep in the UK, flystrike is likely to affect 80% of UK sheep flocks every single year. Even with preventative measures in place across many farms, an average of 1.5% of ewes and 3% lambs may be affected each year in the UK. With… Read more »
We are calling upon retailers and the food service sector to commit to supporting our farmers. Our concerns are mounting about how the higher welfare and production standards in UK agriculture will be protected long term, given that MPs failed to enshrine that protection in law when voting against the recent amendment to the Agriculture… Read more »
With the days lengthening and the weather turning warmer, it’s great to see cattle being turned out and enjoying the sunshine. However, unfortunately that also means that fly season is here with all the unwelcome irritation and nuisance that flies cause to both livestock and workers. There are numerous types of flies, but the main… Read more »
TB testing has and always will be a priority for DEFRA as it is essential not only for domestic TB disease control but also our TB free status is critical for international trade. We are starting to see TB incidence in parts of England declining – this is really encouraging and is a credit to… Read more »
The University of Liverpool is running a project to investigate Johne’s disease on UK beef and sheep farms. Ovine Johne’s disease is much more common than most people realise and this project will investigate the risk factors and effect of the disease on the productive lifespan of ewes and farm economics. Furthermore, little research has been done on cross… Read more »
Westpoint Chelmsford vet Ami Sawran has kindly put this video together demonstrating how to make a makeshift halter for small ruminants in order to tie them up, allowing a safe distance of 2m between vet and client. To reduce the risk of virus transmission we ask that vet visits should take place in a well… Read more »
𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 Due to our stock deliveries being disrupted we must advise that medicines orders will take longer than usual. Please give us as much notice possible when ordering medicines. Please be reassured that we have plenty of emergency medicines available if required. The safety and wellbeing of our clients and staff are our… Read more »
We would like to reassure all of our clients that we remain committed to providing a full veterinary service. However, due to the changed government guidance on 16th March, there could be sudden changes in practice team availability. This may mean that we will need to contact you at short notice to either update you… Read more »
Sarah Tomlinson, veterinary surgeon at Westpoint Farm Vets in Derbyshire and Technical Director of the TB Advisory Service (TBAS), was named Dairy Vet of the Year at the Cream Awards on 5th February 2020. The Award, sponsored by Krka UK Ltd, recognises a veterinary surgeon for going the extra mile in helping to create a… Read more »
Low pathogenic avian flu of the H5 strain was confirmed at a commercial chicken farm in Mid Suffolk on Tuesday 10th December. All the birds will now be humanely culled and we have put in place a 1km restriction zone around the infected farm to limit the risk of the disease spreading. The advice from Public Health… Read more »