Livestock

ANDREW KNIGHT reports on a recent meeting which looked at principles of welfare assessment and their application to dairy cattle, farmed pigs, small ruminants, shelter animals and elephants in zoos

RICHARD GARD reports on the latest developments in the dairy industry and looks forward to the calendar of events which promise some keen points for discussion

RICHARD GARD reports on papers and posters presented at the 2015 Cattle Lameness Conference held in April which looked at many of the factors involved in achieving optimum foot health

RICHARD GARD reports on a debate held by the Badger Trust on the role of badgers in the spread of bovine TB and finds there was little common ground on the best way forward in controlling the disease

PETER EDMONDSON discusses the use of selective dry cow therapy, which is intended to reduce antibiotic use and the likelihood of resistance, and calls on the profession to be proactive in this approac…

RICHARD GARD listened to the lively presentations at a recent meeting which considered what might happen within a dairy industry which is said to be changing faster than at any time in the past 50 yea…

RICHARD GARD provides a round-up of initiatives and research progress on a number of the common conditions of both beef and dairy cattle and the need for continuing and greater veterinary involvement

GRAHAM DUNCANSON provides an introduction to dealing with alpacas, from the owners and the terms they use to the diagnosis and treatment of common conditions, not forgetting that there are no licensed…

RICHARD GARD has been through the report from Reading University on herd performance – highlighting the need for greater veterinary input on many farms

RICHARD GARD hears about the progress being made with the changes in OV requirements and training and the ‘very positive’ veterinary uptake of the training modules – with more to come

RICHARD GARD reports on the ‘toolkit’ developed by RCVS Knowledge plus the FLYMO system, the subject of a presentation at the BCVA congress, for evaluating time spent on-farm by a veterinary surgeon

RICHARD GARD reports on the background and preparations for the forum on bovine TB taking place this month at VetsSouth 2015 when delegates will be encouraged to say what they think…

RICHARD GARD concludes his reports from the 2014 congress of the BCVA with details of some of the presentations relating to BVD and its control and the need for greater veterinary involvement

RICHARD GARD attended the recent conference on JD where details of the new national management plan were outlined and heard both vets and farmers outlining their hopes for eventual control

Richard Gard reports on the congress of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, held in Leicestershire in October, where many subjects of current concern to practices and farmers were discussed.

Dr Tony Andrews concludes his discussion of the challenges facing food producers in feeding an ever expanding population and the need for changes in attitudes and an increase in co-operation.

Richard Gard reports on a busy period for both veterinary practices and dairy farmers in the south-west of England with discussions on feet, diseases and the milk price – and the year’s major show.

Richard Gard hears about preparations for the recently introduced new system for handling government work on farms – and the new responsibilities being thrust upon them.

Dr Tony Andrews, in the first part of this two-part article discusses the challenges facing food producers in feeding an expanding population and the need for changes in attitudes with increased co-op…

Veterinary Practice reports on the findings of the Farming Against BVD survey which revealed farmer attitudes to the disease.