ECBHM FHEA FRCVS Professor of Bovine Medicine, University of Bristol
Interest in cow-calf contact systems is growing, yet limited research had been focused on cowcalf contact in a pasture setting. A study by Johanssen et al (2024) (10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105502) aimed...
Pasture-based dairy systems are under increasing pressure to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Ireland and New Zealand are two countries operating predominantly pasture-based dairy production...
There is considerable evidence that improving productivity reduces environmental impacts from livestock production. However, despite the negative impacts of animal diseases on reproduction, growth and...
Farming sustainably can mean many different things, but the continued ability to control nematode parasites is perhaps one of the starkest examples of where planning for long-term sustainability is...
Johne's disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), which typically infects calves that remain latently infected during a long period, making early detection of...
A review paper on heat stress was published by Lemal et al (2023) (10.3168/jds.2022-22727). Heat stress implies unfavourable effects on primary and functional traits in dairy cattle and, in...
As farm animal clinical practice continues to evolve, it is timely to gather expert opinion on, and form an evidence base for, the practical skill requirements for new graduates entering UK farm...
Genomic selection increases accuracy and decreases generation interval, accelerating genetic changes in populations. Genetic trends of American dairy cattle breeds were examined by Guinan et al (2023)...
At this time of year when healthy eating is promoted heavily, with some advocating a plant-based diet, this paper is pertinent to the discussion. Red meat is a nutrient-dense food and a dietary staple...
Bovine paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) is an endemic disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map). Map is mainly transmitted between herds through movement of infected but...
Claw horn lesions (CHL) are reported as the most common cause of lameness in intensive dairy systems. Despite their prevalence, the underlying pathological mechanisms and preventive strategies for CHL...
Studies suggest that high cortisol resulting from lameness-associated pain decreases testosterone and disrupts spermatogenesis leading to decreased fertility. The objective of a study by Boakari et al...