6 Oct 2018
Contents: Abortion, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea, Diarrhoea, Eye conditions, Hypomagnesaemia, Johne’s disease, Lameness, Liver fluke, Lungworm, Midge-borne diseases, Parasitic gastroenteritis, Plant poisoning, Respiratory disease, Septicaemia, Skin conditions, Summer mastitis, ,Best practice
Diseases in the UK cattle industry account for huge losses and are a major welfare concern.
A team approach to farm health planning, involving the farm’s vet, performance recording and identifying areas for improvement, can increase returns for beef producers. Diseases lead to production losses through factors such as reduced daily liveweight gain (DLWG) or increased costs of feed. Animals may not always appear ill and without attention to herd performance, sub-clinical losses can soon add up.
In this publication, we highlight ever-present and significant conditions affecting the beef industry. We provide insight into the main symptoms and risk factors, alongside the most effective prevention and treatment protocols.
However, we recommend producers should always consult their vet for clinical diagnosis and to discuss effective treatments. Discussing a farm health plan with the vet provides the ideal opportunity to set out a strategic approach to disease prevention and management in the herd.
The technical information in this booklet was supplied by NADIS, Jonathan Statham, Bishopton Vets/RAFT solutions Ltd (a member of XL Vets), Sarah Hewitt, Nottingham University and compiled by Katie Thorley, AHDB Beef & Lamb. AHDB Beef & Lamb Better Returns Programme is grateful to all those who have commented and contributed to this publication. Photography: Ben Strugnell, Jonathan Statham, MSD Animal Health
