Welfare

Following the rapid increase in cases of avian influenza and with a mandatory housing order now in place, ensuring the highest hygiene levels across poultry units is paramount.

Considered the most prevalent infectious disease among UK dairy herds, digital dermatitis, if left untreated, can have detrimental consequences on animal performance and overall health.

Fraser Jones milks 1,500 Holstein Friesians across two sites near Welshpool. As a Disease? Not On My Farm! ambassador, he works closely with his vet Oli Hodgkinson, of Trefaldwyn Vets, to prioritise animal health and welfare. Here he provides a farmer’s perspective on the recently launched National Office of Animal Health Livestock Vaccination Guidelines and considers their potential impact on the dairy sector.

Inevitably, downer cow syndrome is an issue many dairy farmers will have to deal with at one time or another. Vet Dr Charlie Mays discusses best practice for managing downer cows and how the correct use of hip hoists can be life-saving.

Industry chiefs have warned there could be 50 per cent fewer turkeys available this Christmas as the sector battles the largest ever outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI). By Hannah Binns and Ewan Pate.

Negative experiences during a cow’s pregnancy, such as stress, changes to nutrition and cow health can have long lasting impacts on foetal development and influence lifetime cattle performance.

One of the most crucial times in a cow’s production cycle, the transition period can positively or negatively impact future milk production, fertility, and overall health.

Look out for acorns on grazing pastures this autumn, as the effects of acorn poisoning can be detrimental to livestock.

Good hygiene and colostrum management are the corner stones of controlling cryptosporidiosis infections in calves.