South Moor Farm Vets

18/07/2025

⚠️ ⚠️ Since 11th July, a number of Bluetongue Virus 3 cases have been confirmed, in both sheep and cattle, in Herefordshire, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire. These are the first confirmed cases in the UK for this season.

Midge activity is very high and warm weather is continuing. Risk of disease transmission is very high. ⚠️ ⚠️

BTV-3 has been shown to have devastating consequences within infected animals and has lead to huge production losses on affected farms within Europe and England. High mortality rates in sheep, significantly reduced milk yields and fertility impacts in cattle and birth of “dummy” calves.

The disease is spread by the midge and as a result we have very few control options. High speed fans in sheds and using more exposed grazing can help to some degree. As can transporting animals at times of the day when midge activity is lower (avoid dawn and dusk). Vaccination is available and for anyone who has been planning to vaccinate but have not yet done so, we advise doing so as soon as possible. It can take three weeks for full immunity after completion of the vaccine course. If you’d like to discuss your individual herd or flocks risk we’d encourage you to give us a call.

Please remain vigilant and report any concerns within your livestock to either ourselves on 01803 900181 or DEFRA on 03000 200 301.

For those that missed our information evening on this virus don’t forget you can catch up and view the recording here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/01L-5xiJ8w0?si=5yyoWCqUkAy3nL_Z
(Fast forward to minute 29 for the start of the meeting)

These updates are from Ruminant Health and Welfare and can be found here:
https://ruminanthw.org.uk/latest-bluetongue-announcement/

17/07/2025

Pink Eye/ New forest eye /infectious Bovine Keratoconjuntivis
We have recently had a lot of farmers ring in about the above condition. Above are just three of the names used to describe a condition that I’m sure most of you will have seen. Pink eye can cause significant production losses as well as be extremely uncomfortable for cattle suffering with a bad case.
Cause – the bacteria Moraxella Bovis is the causative agent and is spread between animals by flies.
Impact - Studies in cattle have shown that fly worry can cause growth rate losses of up to 0.3kg a day and 0.5l a day milk loss, mainly due to reduced feed intake.
Clinical signs – squinting, uncomfortable in bright light, discharge , redness and sometimes corneal ulceration and opacity ( whiteness ).
Diagnosis – is mainly based on clinical signs but you can swab the eyes and culture the bacteria.
Prevention – appropriate fly control (collars / pour-ons/ ear tags ) - this may have to be repeated throughout the summer . Reduce stocking density, avoid grazing long pasture and recently there have been some vaccines developed including a one off vaccine.
Treatment – 98% will respond to treatment if treated in time. Mild cases can be treated with topical antibiotic cream – normally cloxacillin and an anti-inflammatory injection. Severe cases often require systemic treatment with antibiotics – oxytetracycline is most commonly used and can be repeated 72 Hours later. IF this fails to work other antibiotics can be used and in particularly bad cases the eyelids can be stitched shut to allow the eye time to recover and worst case scenario the eye removed.
Although pink eye is probably the most common eye related problem seen in cattle it may not always be the cause of the problem. Other potentially causes include IBR, Bovine Iritis (silage eye ) foreign bodies stuck in the eye/ trauma and cancer eye.
If you are having eye issues in your cattle give us a call on 01803 900181 and we can discuss how we can help to solve the issue.

16/07/2025

We are holding an alpaca meeting 🦙
The topic will be on healthcare through the year!

📍 Wednesday 6th August
📍 6-7pm
📍 Ivybridge Branch

📞 Please call us on 01803 900181 to reserve a space!

11/07/2025

South Moor Farm Vets has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Experienced Farm Vet to join their thriving independent practice based in South Devon. If you’re looking for a role where clinical freedom, team spirit and a proper work/life balance still exist, they would love to hear from you.

This role is advertised as 32 hours per week (4-day week). As well as a fantastic team who love what they do, a beautiful location and all the gear, they have some other great employee benefits including competitive salary, company vehicle and fuel allowance, CPD encouraged (certs very welcome), private healthcare, enhanced sick, maternity & paternity pay, cycle to work scheme, and electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.

To apply for this role, please send your CV and a covering letter to: Sarah Howard, Practice Manager📧 Email: hr@southmoorvets.co.uk 📞 Phone: 01752 892390

09/07/2025

‼️ PLEASE SHARE ‼️

08/07/2025

Don’t miss out on the deadline to apply for FETF grants! 🚜🌱🐮
If you’re thinking about investing in new kit, there’s still a limited time to apply for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. Applications are open now and will close at midday on 10 July 2025.

The fund is for farmers, growers, foresters and related contractors. It helps pay for items that can improve productivity, manage slurry more effectively, and support animal health and welfare.

How to apply: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/farming-equipment-and-technology-fund-2025/apply-for-the-farming-equipment-and-technology-fund-fetf-2025

02/07/2025

Don’t forget, applications for the Farming Equipment and Technology fund (FETF) 2025 grants close on July 10, 2025 at midday. It can add points if you have veterinary support for your grant proposal - give us a call if we can help 📞

Updates from Defra's Farming and Countryside Programme

02/07/2025

These lovely healthy Simmental X calves out of a bull called Springfield Nemo were born early this morning after a helping hand from the farmer and Steve one of our vets!

01/07/2025

Reminder that from 1st July the bluetongue restriction zone has been extended to cover all of England. Animals can now move freely within England but restrictions apply if wanting to move animals to Wales or Scotland. AHDB have produced a tool to aid navigating the new restrictions and what rules apply to a movement you have planned. Take a look here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BTV-3MovementRegs

With increased free movement comes potential increased risk to your stock, if you haven’t already but would like to discuss vaccination then please do get in touch. With the warm weather continuing the potential risk increases.

27/06/2025

📣 Animal Health and Welfare Pathway Update 📣

From yesterday, 26th June, government funded vet visits provided under the pathway are now open to each separately managed herds or flocks on the same farm. Please get in touch if you’d like further information about the pathway.

Government funded vet visits to now include health assessments for multiple herds on the same farm helping to support better health and profitability within the sector.

18/06/2025

Teaser rams can be a useful tool on your farm!

See below the benefits of using a teaser ram and the qualities you should be looking for when picking your ram / rams to castrate.

Please give us a call on 01803900181 or email us on farm@southmoorvets.co.uk for more information

09/06/2025

Applications are now open for The Farming and Technology Fund (FETF). Please click the link below to see if this may be beneficial to you 🐄🐑🚜

Updates from Defra's Farming and Countryside Programme