Farm Newsletter
www.struthers-scott.co.uk
July 2013
Tel: 01786 841304
SCHMALLENBERG VIRUS – infection with Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) can cause acute disease
(fever, milk drop, diarrhoea) and in breeding herds can also lead to birth defects and abortion. Mair Tyler
tells us about the disease, and the new vaccine available.
SBV is spread by midges and
it is expected that as
temperatures improve during
the summer, the disease will
spread further north. Infection
of pregnant animals may
cause foetal malformations
such as bent limbs and fixed
joints, and a twisted neck or
spine. Calves/lambs may be
born grossly normal but show
nervous signs, such as
blindness or convulsions.
Cattle require 2 doses 4 weeks
apart
while
sheep
only
FLIES – MORE THAN JUST A
NUISANCE!
require 1. The course should
Blowfly strike can develop
be completed 3 weeks before
very rapidly and in severe cases
mating starts, as currently the
can cause death. Blowfly larvae
vaccine cannot be used in
(maggots) develop from eggs
pregnant animals.
deposited in soiled areas of the
Cattle and sheep are most at
risk from April until October
fleece and migrate through the
skin
causing
damage.
(midge season), and it is
thought that the main danger
period for cattle becoming
infected is between 50 and 120
days of pregnancy. Therefore,
calving
Prevention is by ensuring the
herds, it may be too late to use
area around the tail is kept
the vaccine this year, but for
clean
If available, aborted material
later
appropriate pour-on product.
can be tested to confirm the
vaccination
diagnosis, and a blood test is
losses and calf deformities
also available. This may also
due to SBV. Similarly, for
be
early
for
useful
for
screening
many
spring
calving
herds,
should
lambing
reduce
flocks,
as
bought-in stock from high-
breeding and pregnancy will
risk areas, or to assess the
coincide
level
season, vaccination should be
of
herd/flock
exposure
to
in
help
the
decide
with
considered.
the
midge
and
applying
an
Summer Mastitis is caused by
bacteria which are spread by
flies. If the initial signs of
swelling of the affected teat or
quarter are not spotted early,
toxins produced by the bacteria
can damage the udder tissues
even leading to sloughing of the
whether to vaccinate or not. A
affected quarter. Prevention is
vaccine (Bovilis® SBV), has
by
recently
therapy, fly control (pour-ons
become
available.
appropriate
etc) and avoidance.
dry
cow
PROBLEMS WITH WORMS?
- A heavy worm burden can have various effects: from poor growth
rates and delayed finishing, to scour, ill-thrift and death. Effective worm control should limit the exposure of
susceptible lambs to significant burdens of infective worm larvae on the pasture.
Tom Southall
AVOIDING RESISTANCE
IN-HOUSE WORM EGG
COUNTS NOW AVAILABLE!
WORM CORRECTLY!



Worm
control
involves
appropriate management of
available
grazing
and
strategic dosing with wormers.
Around this time of year,
pasture will potentially be
carrying the greatest number
of infective worms, though
exactly when this peak risk
occurs is dependent upon
many factors, in particular the
weather. And with increasing
cases of wormer-resistance, it is
important to try and only use
wormers when they are
needed – and to make sure
that they are used correctly.
Worm Egg Counts are a
useful aid in deciding when to
worm. Generally, for spring
born lambs, samples should
be collected every 2-4 weeks
from about 6 weeks of age.
Pooling samples (see info. box)
will allow broader, more
reliable
samples
without
significantly increasing cost
and we are pleased to now
offer this in-house to our
clients.

weigh animals to avoid
underdosing
maintain and calibrate the
dosing gun
drench correctly, with the
sheep well restrained
always read the products
intstructions, and make
sure they are stored
correctly


‘DOSE AND MOVE’?




if clean pasture is available,
then dosing lambs at
weaning before moving
them seems sensible
However, it is advisable to
allow
some
wormersusceptible worms to be
carried on to the new
pasture (to avoid the
selection for resistance)
This can be done by not
dosing the healthiest 10%
Speak to one of the vets to
learn more.




select 10 random individuals
and collect a small sample
(about 1-2 teaspoons) from
each - we can then either test
individually or ‘pooled’
if easier, ‘mob samples’ can
be collected by gathering a
group in the corner of a field
for a few minutes then
picking up about 10 different
2tsp sized samples into an
airtight container when they
move
samples must be fresh
(<1hour from being passed)
as old samples can give
falsely low results
store in airtight containers
(sample pots or sandwich
bags) and keep cool
hand in to the practice for
testing asap (<48hrs max)
results should be available
within 24hrs
DO DRENCH CHECKS!


pooled worm egg counts
should be done after every
dosing
to
check
effectiveness.
the time to collect samples
depends on the wormer
used (if unsure, just ask!)
- Gp 1 (white): 10-14 days
- Gp 2 (yellow): 2-7 days
- Gp 3 (clear): 14-16 days
IN HOUSE
WORM EGG
COUNT ONLY
£12
FLUKE COMING
SOON!
Any suggestions /requests for future newsletters, or client evening talks please email tom@struthers-scott.co.uk