Horses get stomach ulcers too

Last updated 9 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Medication leads to rapid recovery

THE Weymouth family from Great Salkeld, near Penrith, bought seven-year-old thoroughbred Keano in September.

Last updated 9 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Planning for lambing

The recent snow and cold weather has made life difficult for livestock and stock keepers alike. The main effort for most has been focused on dealing with frozen water supplies and ensuring stock are fed and watered.

Last updated 19 January 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Stop that dripping tap before it causes a flood

Everyone working in agriculture needs to be aware of Defra’s consultation on ‘Responsibility and Cost Sharing’ in animal health.

Last updated 8 December 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Farmers can prevent costly cattle lameness

Lameness is one of the major causes of financial loss to the dairy farmer, with each lame cow costing on average £150 due to milk withdrawal, reduced milk yield, infertility, culling and the cost of treatment. Now that winter is upon us, lameness is becoming more evident.

Last updated 8 December 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Tip of the Johne’s iceberg

Johne’s disease has been diagnosed on five Cumbrian sheep holdings in the last month by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) at Penrith.

Last updated 8 December 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Lungworm increases in adult cattle

Parasitic pneumonia due to lungworm, also known as husk, is a common respiratory disease in cattle.

Last updated 10 November 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Dairy fertility: It’s the farmer, not the cows, who must set targets

The continued selection for higher milk yields in the dairy industry has indirectly led to a reduction in conception rates and an increase in the interval from calving to first ovulation. So is it still justified to try calving cows once a year? Shouldn’t we just extend their lactations instead?

Last updated 10 November 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Rise in salmonella cases

The number of incidents of salmonella in cattle in Britain has been higher in the first half of this year compared to 2008.

Last updated 13 October 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

One infertile ewe is bad but an infertile ram is more serious

Ram fertility is an issue that is often forgotten about until it is too late, but the ram plays a vital part in the reproductive process and it is of paramount importance that he is able to do the job.

Last updated 13 October 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Be prepared! Winter is just around the corner

With autumn looking like it’s already here, it’s probably time to start planning for the winter.

Last updated 8 September 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Bleeding disorder mystery

Since the beginning of last year, cases of young calves bleeding from tagging and injection sites, bleeding through the skin, bleeding from the nose and rectum, and with haemorrhages in the eyes and mouth have been cropping up in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and, now, the UK.

Last updated 8 September 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Time to check on your trusty old rams before it’s too late

While it may seem as though lambing has only recently finished many farmers in the region are once again beginning to turn their attention to tupping.

Last updated 11 August 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Investigating wildlife deaths reveals much

WILDLIFE disease surveillance is a small but important part of our work at Merrythought. The British love wildlife, but we know wild animals and birds can carry potentially harmful or zoonotic diseases that spread from animals to humans.

Last updated 21 July 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Cutting calving interval will bring many benefits

It is calving season for many of our suckler herds. However well managed they are, there will always be a problem or two for us to deal with.

Last updated 21 July 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

What causes sheep to abort?

This is a busy time of year at Merrythought, with examination of ovine abortion material forming a large part of our work.

Last updated 29 June 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Hidden lamb menace difficult to diagnose

Border disease is a viral condition of sheep that was first reported in the borders of England and Wales in the 1950s. Since then, the disease, which shares a lot of characteristics with BVD in cattle, has been recognised worldwide.

Last updated 12 May 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk