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This month: Practice news

Selective Dry Cow Therapy

The second in our Calf Series

Courses, talks and offers

Show review

Important BVD scheme

Bradworthy 01409 241241 Camelford 01840 212229 Holsworthy 01409 253418 Stratton 01288 353766 farm@penbodevets.co.uk www.penbodevets.co.uk Find us on Facebook @penbodefarmvets

We are pleased to announce that Penbode Vets (Farm, Equine and Pets) have joined the national group VetPartners. It will very much be ‘business as usual’. Our focus will still be on providing the best farm veterinary service in the South West. Our ‘out of hours’ service will not change. We will still have three local, farm-only vets available 24/7. We will still carry out TB testing for you. The way we conduct our business with you will remain the same. Our dedicated team of vets and support staff will not be changing; you will continue to see, and speak to, the same familiar faces.

However we do have one change which we are delighted to announce - Tamsin Harris-Bryant has been appointed to the role of a Clinical Director. Tamsin has been with the practice for over 14 years and this is a thoroughly deserved recognition of her hard work and commitment during her time at Penbode. VetPartners is a UK-wide veterinary group which owns some of the most respected and trusted veterinary practices in the country. Being part of this much larger veterinary business

will give us greater buying power ensuring we keep your medicines competitively priced. It will also improve our ability to recruit vets to serve your farm. The Directors are acutely aware of the history of Penbode and have taken this decision in order to secure its future. VetPartners are committed to the success of Penbode. Their investment and support will allow us to continue to serve our loyal clients to the same high standard you have come to expect. Please do not hesitate to contact one of the clinical directors if you have any questions. We look forward to continuing to work closely with you in the future.

The way in which dairy cows are dried off, and more specifically, what with, is being scrutinised more and more. 66% of all cases of E.coli mastitis, and 50% of Strep uberis mastitis that occur by 90 days in milk, originate from the dry period. As these are the most common causes of mastitis in today’s dairy herds, this makes a compelling argument to pay special attention to the dry period and how we dry cows off. One of the cow’s main defences against environmental infections during the dry period is the formation of a keratin plug in the teat canal. However, lots of cows fail to form an effective plug. The higher the yield at dry off, the greater the risk that an effective plug does not form and the teats remain open. Open teats have a higher risk of becoming infected and developing mastitis. The answer is to help the cow by administering teat sealants to every cow at drying off. Teat Sealants

Due to the high number of cows that have open teats after drying off, there is good rationale for using sealants on every quarter of every cow. Use of sealants can be expected to reduce clinical mastitis rates in the subsequent lactation by 25%. When sealants were first used, there were some issues due to incorrect infusion technique. These are overcome by ensuring staff are properly trained in a clean and hygienic infusion protocol. Having a kit with

everything you need to hand will make this a lot easier. Antibiotic Dry Cow Tubes There is still a place for antibiotic tubes in the right cows. It is essential to know which bacteria are causing mastitis on the farm; if Staph aureus is present resulting in an elevated somatic cell count (SCC), wider use of antibiotic dry cow therapy will be required. All low SCC herds should adopt a selective approach to antibiotic use at drying off. It is worth remembering that low SCC cows which receive antibiotic dry cow therapy will be 12 times more likely to suffer a case of E.coli mastitis in the next lactation. Uninfected cows do not need antibiotics.

Penbode drying off kit

So what is Selective Dry Cow Therapy? It is really a change of mind set to one where every cow receives a teat sealant at drying off, and then selecting those cows which also require antibiotic therapy. The criteria for selecting these cows need to be specific to your farm and may include the following: SCC level Clinical mastitis cases Milk yield at drying off Teat end condition Temperament of the cow

I wouldn’t advise anyone to ‘go it alone’ in making these decisions. It is definitely something to discuss with your Penbode Farm vet.

To make any decision on this also requires a certain amount of information. SCC data for at least the last three months prior to drying off, or a QScout result, and clinical mastitis records are essential. See Graph.

Herds with a rolling SCC of over 200 000 probably shouldn’t adopt a selective approach, but should make efforts to reduce herd cell count first before looking at reducing dry cow antibiotic usage.

We have also been using the new “Q Scout” machine which analyses milk samples at the quarter level and indicates whether infection is present or not. A single sample prior to dry-off can be used to guide selective dry cow therapy decisions. See www.qscoutlab.com for more information.

Criteria need to be farm specific but in summary, herds with a low bulk milk SCC, and predominantly environmental mastitis should use higher SCC thresholds for selective dry cow therapy, meaning that more cows will receive a teat sealant alone. Meanwhile, herds with a higher bulk milk SCC should use lower thresholds, resulting in wider use of antibiotic dry cow therapy.

Blanket antibiotic dry cow therapy has been used to mask imperfect management of dry cows. For selective dry cow therapy to be successful, transition cow management must be improved; better housing, better hygiene and better nutrition. By doing so, the number of cases of mastitis as a result of dry period infections can be expected to be dramatically reduced.

QScout samples cost £4.50 per sample Our VetTechs can come out and take the samples for you (or you can do it yourselves). Samples should be taken at morning milking and dropped into your nearest branch. Results will be available for discussion with your routine vet on the same day. For many dairy farmers this offers the most convenient way to identify cows for selective dry cow therapy.

“We record monthly with QMMS and I look at the last 3 to 6 months records depending on the cow. If they are below 200 000 each month and have had no cases of mastitis in the lactation, they only get Orbeseal. We dry off at least 75% of our cows with Orbeseal alone.” Wayne Pomeroy, Ley Farm, East Putford. Parkham Farms.

Andy Stokes talked to a few of our dairy farmers, from each of the big 3 milk buyers about what criteria they use for selective dry cow therapy.

As you can see there’s no one size fits all. These protocols have been arrived at through discussion with their Penbode Farm Vet and each

of our clients should do the same.

“Any cow which has not had mastitis in her lactation has a 4-quarter QScout sample taken just before she is ready to be dried off. Negative quarters just get Orbeseal. Positive quarters get antibiotic tubes. About 50% of cows get Orbeseal alone.” Micheal Cornish, Sessacott, Putford. Arla

“We do essential sampling every month with NMR. I look at the last 6 months of records prior to drying off to ensure there are none over 200 000, and no cases of mastitis either. The result is that about 50% of cows receive Orbeseal alone.” Jon Cleave, East Youlstone, Morwenstowe. DairyCrest

“We started 3 years ago with a very conservative threshold of 60,000 and no cases of mastitis in lactation. We have a lot more confidence in it now and last year moved to a threshold of 150 00, and this year up again to 200 000. We will dry off 80% with just Orbeseal this year. Drying off is a lot simpler now we aren’t double tubing everything, and the milk can go back in the tank a lot quicker.” Liam Cannicott, Rhude Farm, Chilsworthy. Arla

“We make sure any cows for selective dry cow therapy have had a cell count of below 150 000 for the last 3 months, and no mastitis in the last 6 months. We’ve been doing this for the last two and half years and about 60% get selective, but this is growing year on year.” Darren Furse, Westcott, Sutcombe. Arla

Over the coming months’ newsletters we will focus on all aspects of calf rearing. This month we turn our attention to calf development and growth rates Farmers who use our calf monitoring programme have found the benefits include ensuring their youngstock reach their potential and giving their dairy heifers the best start in life, as this is the most important stage in their development. Our VetTechs are able to carry out the testing required for the calf management programme for £30 per visit including visit charge—regardless of how many calves you have! This month our VetTechs tell you about the five steps of our calf monitoring programme.

1. Weighing At each farm visit, VetTechs weigh all pre-weaned calves to provide a growth rate pattern. We are able to analyse this and create a report which we can discuss after each visit. The recommendations are that calves are growing at 0.7kg per day. The VetTechs can discuss the findings with your routine vet in order to recommend any necessary action.

2. Blood sampling The VetTechs also take blood samples from all calves under one week of age for total protein measurement. This assesses the success of colostral transfer.

4. Frequency Penbode Farm VetTechs can fit in visits entirely to suit your needs and depending on your calving pattern. Normally they would visit monthly, however some seasonal calving herds require weekly or fortnightly visits.

3. Disease VetTechs also take a disease log of all pre-weaned calves at every visit. Diseases recorded include pneumonia, navel ill and scours. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, samples can be taken at the same time for in-house testing that day (please note lab fees are not included).

5. Reporting After the visit the VetTechs enter the data into a specific calf management programme. This enables them to monitor the calves’ growth and disease patterns which we then share with you and your vet, so any veterinary advice required can also be discussed.

Interested in ensuring your youngstock reach their potential? Give your nearest branch a call.

Visit http://bit.ly/PenVetTechs for more information

on what our VetTechs can do to help you on your farm.

It’s been a great start to the show season with nearly 100 young handlers competing at the Liskeard and Launceston Shows and receiving our goody bags and at least 300 cream teas (both Devon and Cornish!) being served in the Dairy Marquee at Woolsery Show. We also found ourselves responsible for keeping the stewards, judges and commentators hydrated in the Cornish heat! As we go to press the event team are setting up North Devon Show (for the first time) and then we’ve only Camelford, Okehampton and of course Holsworthy & Stratton to go! This year we have also introduced a little competition between our Beef, Dairy and Sheep farmers to see which producer is most aware of their antibiotic usage. Come along to our stands at the next shows and take the Penbode Antibiotic Challenge to see if you can get a green ball in your box!

Name: Yolanda Martinez Priego Age: 32 Hometown: Originally from Elche, near Alicante in

Southern Spain. But now the West Country feels like my second home.

How do you usually start your day? I start very slowly - resetting my alarm multiple times. I get up, feed the rabbits and making myself a VERY BIG breakfast!! What does a typical day involve? A lot of TB Testing. From one farm to another. All day...Every day! What are your favourite aspects of the job? I like spending time with farmers and chatting to them. I also like meeting the tame, pet cows.

Anything you’re not so fond of? The bad weather! When it’s too cold. Too wet! Too hot! Any extreme English weather basically.

What do you do in your spare time? I enjoy swimming and I’m starting to learn to play the ukulele! I go for walks and am a member of the National Trust so spend a lot of my free time exploring National Trust places when the weather is good. What is your greatest achievement? I’m proud of the fact that I’ve worked in both Germany and England and can also communicate in both languages (as well as Spanish of course!) Describe yourself in three words. Shy. Adaptable. Approachable.

Next month we speak to VetTech Lisa Honey

Elche’s Basilica De Santa Maria and palm groves

Exploring Lanyhydrock House and Gardens

Penbode Farm Vets, North Road, Holsworthy EX22 6HB

Choose from the following dates: Thurs 30 August 9:30am-1pm Thurs 11 October 9:30am-1pm

Make sure your farm complies with the new standards. Call 01409 253418 or 01288 353766 to book your space.

£60

Inc. light refreshments

*ex. VAT

Tuesday 4 September - Holsworthy 9:30 - 15:00 The calving course is a one-day small group, practical course aimed at farmers, smallholders and farm staff who are new or feel inexperienced when calving.

Topics will include: Calving environment and handling facilities and equipment Normal birth process Factors influencing dystocia (calving difficulty) – cow and calf When to intervene Examination of the cow and correction of mal-presentations Perinatal cow problems Essentials for the new born calf

Costs £75

Includes lunch *ex. VAT

Call the Stratton branch on 01288 353766 to book

DEFRA have made funding available to raise the profile of BVD amongst cattle keepers in England.

Many of our vets have undertaken the additional training required and so we are ready and able to offer our clients the opportunity to access this funding worth up to £850*

Who’s it for? You don’t have to sign up to the BVD Free initiative. In fact, this programme is particularly suited to those farmers who are not BVD Free or have not signed up to the BVD Free initiative.

What’s included? FREE First meeting (see venues below) - Talk with two course meal Outlining BVD, its costs and control strategies

FREE Farm Visit 1 - This will be with an experienced Penbode Farm Vet. Discussion of specific BVD risks for that farm / business Subsidised check test

FREE Farm Visit 2 - This will be with the same vet as Visit 1 Explanation of findings of check test Consider more testing - eg Subsidised PI hunt if required

FREE individually tailored report will be sent out to each farmer recommending an action plan for BVD eradication

FREE Second meeting - Talk with two course meal. Wrap up meeting - You will learn how farms in the area measure up and benchmark your farm against the area. Focus will be given to top level feedback to discuss eradication in a round table.

You can sign up to as much or as little as you want but you have to attend the first meeting to receive the other benefits.

We expect this programme to be very popular.

Please call your branch to book as soon as possible. There is a maximum of two attendees per farm for the meetings.

Selection of venues for first meetings Date

The Rydon Inn, Holsworthy, EX22 7HU Tuesday 25 September

The Wilsey Down, Hallworthy, PL32 9SH Thursday 27 September

The Bradworthy Inn, Bradworthy, EX22 7TD Tuesday 2 October

Please note that to qualify for funding you MUST attend one of these meetings

It may be dry now but as soon as the weather breaks there will be a mass emergence of lungworm larvae and we will need to be vigilant for signs of this disease. Clinical signs of lungworm are shown in the table below.

Cattle with lungworm often stand with their head outstretched. Treatment with the correct worming product suitable for your herd can make a big difference.

Speak to your vet about a parasite strategy suitable for your herd.

Please ensure you always ring in advance of ordering prescription drugs, so you can discuss your

requirements and protocols with a vet. The typical lungworm stance

Clinical signs of lungworm

SEVERE INFECTION SUBCLINICAL INFECTION

Increased respiratory rate. “Lungworm stance” - head

down, tongue out (see photo) and difficulty breathing Loss of body condition

Cough (frequent and persistent - especially after exercise) Reduced growth rate

Milk production loss 4kg per cow per day Milk production loss 0.5kg per cow per

day

Death (in severe, heavy infections) Reduced fertility (extra inseminations

required)

Special Offer Zero milk withdrawal

wormer Eprizero is a pour-on

eprinomectin — perfect for peak lungworm time.

Only £275 for 6 litres while stocks last. * Cash or DD price VAT not included. Prices valid until 30/09/2018

Buy 3 packs get one FREE!!