Farm Practice

Figure 1. The distribution of interns going on to undertake further education after completing their farm animal veterinary internships.

UK practitioners' motivations and experiences of farm animal internship programmes

A questionnaire was created using a proprietary online survey tool (Jisc Software Package, Bristol, UK). The questionnaire comprised 14 questions with a range of free text and multiple-choice...

Figure 1. Area of alopecia extending down neck, along the dorsum and to both axillae.

Large animal dermatology: common cases

It is June in North Somerset and the NADIS (2023) forecast shows a high risk for period for myiasis. A client with a flock of 60 Poll Dorset ewes has called because one of the rams has a large area of...

Figure 2. Ease of administration of a topical parasiticide

Parasiticides: perspectives and prospects

The introduction of relatively more efficacious and safe parasite treatments can conveniently be traced from the early 1960s, though many of the older treatments were still in use at this time. A book...

Q fever and coxiellosis: implications for livestock and human health in the UK

Approximately 40% of people infected with C. burnetii will develop symptoms of acute Q fever, of which the majority will present as a non-specific, self-limiting illness (Raoult et al, 2005). In more...

Figure 1. Elements of virtual fence systems with data communication routes.

Virtual fencing systems: balancing production and welfare outcomes

Figure 1 highlights the main generic components of VF. This article will aim to cover these capabilities as a family, though will necessarily mention individual products. In summary, all animals in...

Figure 1. Bracken fern, one of the world's most abundant plants. It produces (a) lush green growth that can poison livestock, and (b) becomes dry and brown in summer, which is also toxic.

Bracken poisoning

Bracken (Pteridium species) (Figure 1) is a genus of ancient, large coarse ferns. It is a very common and widespread plant that grows throughout the world (except where it is very cold or very dry)....

Figure 1. Freshly calved cow and environment

Q fever: a disease with underappreciated significance?

C. burnetii is a small, Gram-negative bacterium and obligate intra-cellular pathogen that causes Q fever. C. burnetii can infect humans, cattle, goats, sheep and many other mammals. C. burnetii...

Figure 1. Sensitive management of pastures can foster plants such as this bee orchid (Ophrys apifera)

Parasite control in regenerative livestock farming

A core principle of regenerative agriculture in both crop production and animal husbandry is the maintenance and improvement of soil structure and function, with emphasis on its biology and organic...

Utilising interpersonal skills to manage challenging client behaviour

Although unpleasant or abusive behaviour is never justified, it is important to consider what we do not know about the client's circumstances. It is human nature to make snap assumptions and...

Figure 3. Increasing contact during rearing improves relationships.

The importance of the human–animal relationship for commercial farms

The health and welfare of livestock is paramount on farm, and the need to reduce stress and fear is included in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The influence of human behaviour on animals should be...

Figure 5. An example of a change in farm management — case study 1.

Regenerative agriculture — the practices involved and its position within modern agricultural systems

There is no singular, approved definition of regenerative farming, as highlighted by a review of 28 different studies (Schreefel et al, 2020). Robert Rodale (1930–1990) first coined the term...

Prioritising antibiotic selection in farm animal practice

As has been demonstrated by multiple veterinarians and veterinary practices across the UK, moving towards ever more responsible antibiotic prescribing in line with the AMEG guidelines is certainly...