Vet Viewpoint: Advice on dairy diets, bluetongue and ram selection

Negative energy balance in dairy cows is among the livestock health issues highlighted in this month’s Vet Viewpoint round-up.

Reporting from across England and Wales, this month’s XL Vets Group representatives also address the threat posed by bluetongue and bovine TB, and offer advice on selecting the right breeding ram for your flock.

Chantal Bryant, Scarsdale Farm and Equine, Derbyshire

The grass is green and lush, but unfortunately energy levels are much lower now than in the spring, leaving cows in a negative energy balance.

Over the past month or so we have seen 20 displaced abomasums and a far greater number of ketotic cows.

On some farms this is due to high-yielding cows milking just off grass.

On other farms this is a result of cutting back on supplementary feed to save costs in reaction to low milk prices.

It is important to balance the diet for your cattle to support the litres of milk they are giving.

Many farmers with 10,000 litre cows have moved them indoors, allowing diets to be regulated appropriately. Others are giving buffer feeds to cows at grass.

Emily Baxter, Drove Farm Vets, Wiltshire

With the high risk of bluetongue arriving in the UK by September, a number of our clients have chosen to vaccinate this summer.

Vaccination is the most effective tool to minimise losses associated with the virus and to interrupt the cycle from infected animal to the midge vector.

It is thought that the high uptake of vaccine following the 2007 UK outbreak was key to minimising the economic impact of the disease.

See also: Vet Viewpoint – Warm, muggy weather causes health issues

To reduce risks further, strict biosecurity and purchasing stock from accredited sources is advised.

It is important to monitor stock for signs of bluetongue, particularly mouth ulcers, drooling and swelling of the mouth/head.

Sheep are more susceptible than cattle and may exhibit a swollen muzzle, breathing difficulties and lameness.

Should you suspect bluetongue in your stock, report it to your vet and inform the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately.

Simon Allen, Allen and Partners Veterinary Services, Carmarthenshire

The prevalence of bovine TB is increasing rapidly in Europe.

Eradication is difficult if there is an extensive reservoir of infected wildlife.

Cattle grazing field boundaries or short swards risk inhaling or swallowing infection from contamination of water and feed with excreta.

Evidence suggests that cattle movements account for 15% of outbreaks with infection breaching field boundaries.

See also: Vet Viewpoint – Heat stress threat as summer approaches

Cymorth TB is an initiative that highlights management practices that impact these risks, including slurry handling and provision of clean water and feed excluding badger access.

The Welsh Government-funded visit provides an opportunity for your vet to improve herd immunity to diseases by assessing bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) status through “Tag and Testing” for persistently infected (PI) cattle and maintaining protection through strict biosecurity and vaccination.

Subsidised annual BVD testing will monitor progress and by sharing this information with your neighbours will strengthen your community and provide a ring of confidence.

Brian Mundell, Capontree Veterinary Centre, Cumbria

Many farmers will be getting ready to start purchasing new rams for this year’s breeding.

It is important to remember the four T’s when selecting breeding rams:

• Teeth – If teeth are lost or become long or thin, the ram may not eat well enough to gain weight. If body condition is not maintained, performance may suffer.
• Toes – Lameness affects ability to serve. Feet may need trimming and foot bathing to prevent or treat problems.
• Tone – Rams’ body condition score should be between 3.5 and 4.0 as tupping starts. Good condition is vital as 15% of body weight can be lost in six weeks of tupping. Large losses in BCS will affect performance.
• Testicles – Should be large and as firm as a flexed bicep. The larger the testicle the more semen they will produce. The more semen is produced, the more fertile the ram.

Vet Viewpoint is a regional monthly round-up of key veterinary issues from members of the XL Vets Group.