FARMnewsTHE NEWSLETTER OF WILLOWS FARM ANIMAL VETERINARY PRACTICE

DECEMBER 2013

2013 Round upVet contactnumbers

Mark Proctor 07831 548416

John Dawson 07803 902600

Simon Jones 07974 702449Richard Thomas

07974 122025Ben Pedley

07974 072453Darrell Irwin

07974 928051Owen Tunney

07855 822095Emyr Rowlands

07968 817979Jonny Duncan

07960 956996Laurence Allwood 07961 820115

Caroline Bunn

07968 749141Rachel Adams

07557 746682Ed Loveday

07539 641393Gethin Edwards

07795 574629

As we come to the end of another year and consider the events of the last 12 months in agriculture we are once again struck by the versatility and resilience of you our clients. Following the awful summer and autumn of 2012 many of you came into 2013 with relatively poor forage stocks and had to cope with sluggish milk price increases and high concentrate prices. The very cold spring meant the grass growth was late to say the least and very welcome when it eventually arrived. However, this past summer has been regarded by many as the best in recent memory for grass growth and opportunity to conserve forage and cereals. Forage analysis and crops are generally very good and consequently production is up on many units and margins are looking much healthier. Along the way a significant number of cattle farmers have encountered TB on their own farm for the first time. We have seen another change in testing regime for many who fall into DEFRAs edge control area. Despite the efforts of all involved it is likely that in the next year some more of you will encounter TB on your farm and the significant impact of movement restrictions, losing reactors and 60 day testing intervals. Simon Jones continues to be involved in the Cheshire TB control group which is working on several initiatives to increase TB awareness and limit the spread locally. DEFRA are still moving towards a tendering process for TB testing in England and Wales but for now your local practice vet will be continuing to your TB test.Liver fluke continues to be a significant issue

despite the good summer. Many of you have done testing and got a control plan in place but we still find new farms with fluke issues on a weekly basis. Speak to your vet about the best way to test on your farm; at the very least you need to establish your status. The start of the year for many of our shepherds was particularly difficult with lots of horrifically deformed Schmallenberg lambs born in January and February. Fortunately the flow of these lambs declined in later lambing flocks. The SBV situation has moved on very little through since the launch of the vaccine in the summer. The vaccine remains available for use in non-pregnant animals. There has been little testing done for SBV this autumn as results and their significance are difficult to interpret. We continue to see some deformed calves on farm including some with hydrocephalus. Hopefully 2014 will bring more knowledge about this new disease and help us limit its impact on health and welfare.Through-out the year we have continued to provide training and education for farmers and farm workers. Thanks to all who have given up their time to come and support these events. Our objective is to provide stimulating and relevant subjects so you leave with food for thought and at least one idea to implement back at home. Practical skills such as AI and hoof trimming have been delivered by Embryonics and provide a great opportunity for hands on training on

Hartford Office267 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 1LP

Telephone: 01606 723200Alsager Office

The Point, Crewe Road, Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 2GPTelephone: 01270 872670

Deva Vets OfficeThe Smithy, Chester Road, Aldford Chester CH3 6HJ

Telephone: 01244 670170 Continued on back page

real farms. We even managed a couple of days in Polish thanks to Monica from Zoetis animal health. If you have any topics or skills you would like to have training in for you or your staff then just speak to one of the vets and we will get an event organised to meet your requirements.This is the first year we have had a practice foot trimmer, Steve Austin under the banner of Willows Hoofcare. Steve has established

himself as a very useful addition to the farm team and many clients are seeing the benefits of having their vet and foot trimmer working closely together to improve herd mobility. Check out the Willows Hoofcare website for more information.We look forward to working alongside you through the opportunities and challenges of 2014 in the ever changing agricultural industry. Maintaining healthy productive livestock is essential as we look to the future.

Willows 2013 Round upfrom front page

Client meeting

BVDHave you got it under control,

how much is it costing you?Whether you’ve vaccinated for years or don’t know your herd status come along and find out what you can do to control the risk of BVD.

12th December, Midday – 2pmat Deva Office, The Smithy, AldfordFree to attend and a great lunch guaranteed!

Call Mary or Helen at the Deva office on01244 670170 to book your place

Christmas datesA very Merry Christmas to you all and Best Wishes

for 2014 from the The Willows Farm Team!Please see below for Hartford pharmacy opening times over

the festive period. There will of course be emergency vet cover available at all times.

Christmas Eve 8am to 2pmChristmas Day Closed

Boxing Day 9am to middayNew Year’s Eve 8am to 6pm

New Year’s Day 9am to midday

Livestock North West updateThe Livestock NW health and welfare project is still running and available to farmers in Cheshire and Lancashire. The scheme provides an opportunity to generate a herd or flock health action plan based on current levels of performance and disease status. If you have not been involved in this scheme yet, or if you have been involved but not in the last 12 months then contact the Livestock NW office on 08456 040 535 to get registered. DEFRA still haven’t announced any details of the long awaited third round of FFIS grants although those in the know are still hopeful the third round will take place and include some useful items for livestock farmers to invest in. Those wishing to apply in the Livestock NW region will require and up to date (completed in the last 12 months) Livestock NW health and welfare action plan in order to proceed.

Red tractor health plan updatesPlease be aware that the herd health plan requirements for farm assurance under the Red Tractor scheme have changed again recently. There are a few additional questions and sections on herd performance to complete and have signed by your vet.

Contact Suze at Hartford on01606 723200 for an up to date template.

NORTH WALES RUTHIN DIY AI Jan 6-8 at Llysfasi College

A 3 day practical hands on course with small numbers for excellent individual

training. The course is run on the college campus farm with new facilities creating

a superb learning environment.Held again at Myerscough College

Lancashire Feb 10-12

SAFE USE OF MEDICINES ON FARMA useful one day workshop

explaining the correct use and storage of drugs, how to correctly administer

them and when.To be Held in Northwich Jan 17th

WHITCHURCH DIY AIJan 20-22

Held on a large dairy unit with Lantra approved instructors.Held again in Northwich

March 10-12

LAMBING WORKSHOPCovering all aspects of the Lambing

season, trouble shooting the problems that may arise at this time of year along

with useful tips on condition scoring. Practical demonstrations using

a lambing simulator. To be Held in Northwich Jan 30th

HERDSMAN FOOT TRIMMINGChelford Jan 20-22

3 day comprehensive course covering lameness issues, foot disease and routine trimming taught via the

5 step Dutch method. Along with the correct way to attach blocks

and bandages. How to use the equipment correctly and safely.

To be held again Chelford March 3-5

SAFE USE OF AN ELECTRIC FOOT GRINDER

2 day course using dead cattles feet in clamps on day one, to

assess when and when not to use the grinder, moving on to live cattle on day 2. A must have course for

experienced herdsmen.To be held in Middlewich Feb 24-25

CALF REARING WORKSHOPcovering disbudding, castration

housing and nutrition.To be held in Goostrey March 7th

PROFESSIONAL FOOT TRIMMING COURSE

With world renowned Dutch trainer Pieter Kloosterman, aimed at

experienced herdsmen wanting to take it to the next level.

To be held in Middlewich April 28-May 1

GIFT VOUCHERSAre available for all the above courses as they make excellent

Christmas gifts For more information on the above courses and costs Please call Embryonics on 01565 723036

REFRESHER WEEKMarch 24-28

at various farms in and around Cheshire 1 day refreshers in DIY AI to ensure that your confidence and techniques are still good before you

start serving.Private on farm courses available

on a 1-1 basis if required.

TRIAGE FOR FARMERSa new course designed to help

farmers recognise and overcome the day to day non vet emergencies that happen on farm. How to deal with

them correctly and more importantly how to recognise when and when not

to call your vet out.To be held in Goostrey April 22-25

EMBRYONICSEMBRYO TRANSFER AND TRAINING SPECIALISTS

Courses for farmersin Cheshire

The cost of pneumonia is well known – but treatment costs are the tip of the iceberg, as the overall cost of sick calves is 2-3 times the vet spend. Outwardly healthy in-contacts are also compromised – in groups where 35% show symptoms, more than double this are likely to have diseased lungs. These will also not produce to their full potential. Clearly, prevention is better than cure. The approach to reducing pneumonia should be two-fold: to increase the calves’ resistance, and reduce disease challenge.The most important tool in the box for increasing disease resistance in calves is a good intake of colostrum as soon as possible after birth. Increasingly, we are recognising that in high-yielding dairy cows, colostrum may be more ‘dilute’, and even 3 litres in the first 6 hours may not contain enough antibody to provide good immunity. Blood samples can be taken from baby calves to check antibody levels, and a colostrometer can be used to check the colostrum quality. Supplementation – for example with

artificial colostrum, or (if there is no Johne’s disease) colostrum from other cows – may be necessary on some farms.Reduce factors which will hinder a calf’s resistance, such as concomitant BVD infection, and stressors such as mixing, transport, housing and poor nutrition.Vaccination can help boost immunity. Many vaccines are available, and selection of the most appropriate should not only take into account the diseases involved, but how early the vaccine can be administered and how quickly it provides protection.This mainly concerns housing, and there are three essential considerations which will help to reduce the challenge from many diseases, not least pneumonia. Too much moisture favours bacterial growth and hence disease. It also absorbs energy,

meaning that what you feed will be keeping the cattle warm rather than fuelling weight gain. In young animals, being cold will also make them more prone to disease.Lack of fresh air increases survival time of airborne bugs, and hence increases the risk of disease. Noxious gases may also build up.Too much air speed , or draughts (particularly at calf level) is associated with energy losses, reduced growth rates and increased risk of disease. Too little is associated with lack of fresh air. Good ventilation is essential in order to fulfil the above requirements. For baby calves, sufficient warmth is equally important. A veterinary building assessment can help identify problem areas, and provide practical solutions.Even when all efforts to reduce challenge and increase resistance have been made, disease may still be seen, so it is wise to devise a treatment plan. Unquestionably, the acutely sick should be treated with an antibiotic appropriate for respiratory disease. An NSAID is also vital, to reduce inflammation and keep the calf eating – important for a quicker recovery. Diagnostic tools can be considered for targeting future control. This may take the form of specific tests, or an investigation providing a practical overview.The solution to calf pneumonia is not held within a bottle of antibiotic. Protect your herd with an evaluation of your farm’s system & management; assess the housing, create treatment protocols, consider diagnostic tests and discuss vaccination possibilities.

Calf Pneumonia

Are lame cows affecting your yield?We offer a dedicated hoof care service to reduce herd and bull lamenessA number of studies have shown that one or more episodes of lameness significantly lowers milk production in affected cows. In one study, lame cows on average lost over 300 litres of milk, 13 kgs of milk fat and 13 kgs of milk protein over their entire lactation when compared to sound herdmates. Another study, the InCalf project, demonstrated that lame cows produced about 160 litres of milk, 3.5 kgs of milk fat and 6.7 kgs of milk protein less over a lactation than non-lame cows.

• Routine Trims • Full recording/analysis via the Hooftec reporting system: - Records 2 or 4 feet trimmed and sex of animal - Mobility, BCS, Hygiene and hock scores - Shows cows for recheck or for vet - Records, claw, severity, comments - Records and counts blocks and wraps - Option to ‘flag’ cows - Previous trim records bought up instantly - Individual scores can be viewed when entering trimming data - 20+ different reports sorted numerically and includes trimming records, action lists, recheck and vet lists, cow histories, statistics over time or on visit, mobility scores, cattle trimmed/not trimmed • Large herds to individual bulls catered for • Close liaison with your vet • Independent locomotion scoring service • Herd Hoof Management – e.g. targeting cows 60 days prior to calving/8 weeks post calving to give maximum recovery rates Contact Steve Austin on 01565 723098

WILLOWSHOOF CARE

www.willowshoofcare.co.uk

COMPETITIVEPRICING SYSTEM

Cost per cow £12 (4 feet) £10 (2 Feet)Block £9.50. Bandage £2.50

No call out fee for 12 or more cows

Cows which maintain a good dry matter intake up to calving have higher dry matter intakes immediately post calving and reach their maximum dry matter intake sooner which results in better fertility and higher milk yields. To put it very simply the key to successful transition cow management is to minimize the extent of reduced feed intake pre calving and encourage a quick increase in appetite post calving. Feed availability is crucial! As a rule of thumb there should be at least 30” of feed barrier space per cow in the transition group, this enables cows to feed freely with less fear of dominant animals coming to bully them out. Feed should always be within easy reach of the feed barrier to the extent that when feed is pushed up or new feed is put out no more than 20% of the group should come forward. Aim to add new cows only once or twice a week to reduce the social conflict which occurs when cows are establishing the pecking order in a new group. Avoid overcrowding, aim for 10 m2 per cow on straw yards this enables cows to move around freely and come and go to the feed area confidently. Look at things from a cow appetite perspective and see what you could do to encourage feed intakes.There are several measures and indicators which have value in assessing transition management and a combination of indicators is always more reliable than just looking at one thing in isolation. Typical things to record and measure are:

• Incidence of fresh cow metabolic diseases such as milk fever, RFM, ketosis, LDA, endometritis, mastitis <30 DIM

• Conception rates in 21 day blocks of DIM at insemination

• Levels of clinical and subclinical ketosis in fresh cows by blood or milk ketosis testing

• Milk yield and quality in the first 60 days of the lactation in particular milk proteins

• Cull rate in the first 30 days post calving

Most of you already record and have access to most of this data for one purpose or another you just need to set targets with your vet to monitor. To this end we have developed a monthly recording chart which a number of farms are already using very effectively. If you would like to start using these free recording charts just let your regular vet know and we will arrange delivery and get you started.

Fresh CowMonitoring