Health

Buitelaar calf rearing open day

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:03:34 GMT

Hear first-hand from the farm manager, the Buitelaar team, nutrition specialists and Oxbury Bank, who'll be offering insight into both technical and financial considerations of calf rearing.

Join us to:

See how calf housing design supports calf health and performance
Learn more about milk powder feeding protocols and how consistency drives performance
Gain practical insight into evidence-led rearing strategies that can be applied on farm

There will also be an opportunity for Q&As, networking and seeing systems working in real conditions.

The day will finish with lunch and refreshments.

To register your place, please call or email the details below.

Collective action on African swine fever

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:11:05 GMT

Collective action on African swine fever

Bluetongue virus: Vet-focused update

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:39:32 GMT

During this technical update we'll share the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus (BTV) situation.

The discussion will be aimed at vets, but farmers are welcome to join.

The agenda and speakers will be confirmed soon.

The webinar will close with a Q&A session and you can also submit questions in advance.

This event forms part of a series of webinars that we are running to share timely and accurate information to help you understand what the latest updates mean for the UK.

If you are unable to attend, please still register and you will be sent a recording following the event.

Further information

Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for sheep
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for cattle
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for dairy cattle
Find out more about bluetongue virus on our website or visit ruminanthw.org.uk for advice and support
If you have concerns or questions, contact the AHDB bluetongue virus helpline on: 0247 771 0386
Sign up to receive the latest information from AHDB

Lancashire: Mastitis roadshow with Lanes Farm Vets

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:50:15 GMT

Join Lanes Farm Vets for a practical, interactive session focused on improving udder health and reducing mastitis on farm.

Are you a master at mastitis or more of a dip when it comes to the count?

This practical roadshow will feature a series of quick-fire interactive stations designed to ensure more of your milk makes it into the tank – and fewer tubes are needed in the cupboard.

The session will conclude with a guided farm walk.

What to expect

Practical mastitis control tips
Interactive learning stations
Focus on reducing cell counts and treatment use
On-farm discussion and farm walk

This event is for dairy farmers and farm staff looking to improve udder health and mastitis management.

Places are limited. To book please contact the Brock office on 01995 602468.

Additional information

Lunch will be provided
Please wear suitable farm clothing and footwear
Note that Lanes Farm Vets will be rebranding in April 2026, as Scope Farm Vets

Devon: Bluetongue virus update

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:50:16 GMT

Hear the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus (BTV) situation and the impact on the reproductive performance of cattle.

Liz Nabb from APHA in Starcross (Exeter) will talk about what the APHA has seen across the UK so far this season, including what’s happening in the Southwest.

She’ll also outline the reproductive impacts observed in cattle during last year's BTV activity in the east of England.

The meeting will cover:

Clinical signs in cattle and sheep
Reproductive impact on cattle
The 2025/26 bluetongue season so far
An update on mainland Europe
Risk‑based approach to vaccination and working with your vet
Legal limitations around abortion investigations
Q&A

7pm arrival for light refreshments and 7:30pm start.

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for sheep
Find out more about bluetongue virus on our website or visit ruminanthw.org.uk for advice and support

If you have concerns or questions, contact the AHDB bluetongue virus helpline on: 0247 771 0386

Cornwall: Bluetongue virus update

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:24:09 GMT

Hear the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus (BTV) situation and the impact on the reproductive performance of cattle.

Liz Nabb from APHA in Starcross (Exeter) will talk about what the APHA has seen across the UK so far this season, including what’s happening in the Southwest.

She’ll also outline the reproductive impacts observed in cattle during last year's BTV activity in the east of England.

The meeting will cover:

Clinical signs in cattle and sheep
Reproductive impact on cattle
The 2025/26 bluetongue season so far
An update on mainland Europe
Risk‑based approach to vaccination and working with your vet
Legal limitations around abortion investigations
Q&A

1pm arrival for pasty lunch and 1:30pm start.

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for sheep
Find out more about bluetongue virus on our website or visit ruminanthw.org.uk for advice and support

If you have concerns or questions, contact the AHDB bluetongue virus helpline on: 0247 771 0386

Position statement on the use of automated detection methods for lameness

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:08:45 GMT

Position statement on the use of automated detection methods for lameness

Somerset: Post-mortem demonstration

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:44:15 GMT

Explore the value of on-farm post-mortem examinations with Ben Strugnell of Farm Post Mortems Ltd.

Post-mortems are an important tool for the diagnosis and prevention of disease in farm animals and should form part of any herd or flock health plan.

Learn how post-mortems can help you:

Identify common causes of death
Detect herd health issues earlier
Improve disease prevention on farm
Make better management decisions

Refreshments will be available from 6:30pm and the workshop will start at 7:00pm.

To book your place or find out more, contact Wyvern Farm Vets:

T: 01373 451115

E: office@wyvernfarmvets.co.uk

Mycoplasma bovis

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 08:31:58 GMT

Mycoplasma bovis

Best practice treatment of sheep parasites

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:19:48 GMT

Best practice treatment of sheep parasites

Best practice treatment of cattle parasites

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:37:50 GMT

Best practice treatment of cattle parasites

NSA Northern Region sheep post-mortem event

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:17:23 GMT

Learn about the internal effects of parasite damage through demonstrations of sheep post-mortems.

The post-mortems will be carried out and explained by Ben Strugnell BVM&S Cert PM MRCVS of Farm Post Mortems Ltd. Ben is a world-renowned independent vet and farm animal pathologist.

We will discuss:

Why, when and how post-mortems take place and the benefits of them
What organs look like and the common causes of death in lambs
How worms can affect your flock and current best practice advice on effective worm control
The importance of minerals and blousing

Pulled lamb roll and refreshments provided for all registrants.

This event will be taking place on Rebecca Wilson's farm. Rebecca is NSA Northern Region committee member and representative for NSA English Committee.

Responsible and sustainable use of parasiticides

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:23:37 GMT

Responsible and sustainable use of parasiticides

Bluetongue virus impact: Lambing 2026

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:35:41 GMT

During this webinar we'll share the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus (BTV) situation and the impact on lambing.

The speakers and agenda will be confirmed soon.

The webinar will close with a Q&A session and you can also submit questions in advance.

This event forms part of a series of webinars that we are running to share timely and accurate information to help you understand what the latest updates mean for the UK.

If you are unable to attend, please still register and you will be sent a recording following the event.

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for sheep
Find out more about bluetongue virus on our website or visit ruminanthw.org.uk for advice and support
If you have concerns or questions, contact the AHDB bluetongue virus helpline on: 0247 771 0386
Sign up to receive the latest information from AHDB

Bluetongue virus impact: Calving 2026

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:35:41 GMT

During this webinar we'll share the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus (BTV) situation and the impact on calving.

The speakers and agenda will be confirmed soon.

The webinar will close with a Q&A session and you can also submit questions in advance.

This event forms part of a series of webinars that we are running to share timely and accurate information to help you understand what the latest updates mean for the UK.

If you are unable to attend, please still register and you will be sent a recording following the event.

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for cattle
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for dairy cattle
Find out more about bluetongue virus on our website or visit ruminanthw.org.uk for advice and support
If you have concerns or questions, contact the AHDB bluetongue virus helpline on: 0247 771 0386
Sign up to receive the latest information from AHDB

Dairy housing

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:29:34 GMT

Dairy housing

Derbyshire: Weaning calves to perform at grass and sustaining farm profit in volatile years

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:49:04 GMT

Join us at Rough Grounds Farm for a farmer-led workshop looking at rearing youngstock for the best possible transition into the milking herd with Laura Tennant and Beckie Harrison, Bess Neil and Tony Evans. They will also be discussing resilience with grazing systems to stay profitable during lower milk prices.

Calf growth rates can drop quite dramatically once calves are turned out, and noticeable differences are often seen between batches.

The morning session of this meeting has been set up to focus on closing that gap – supporting lower-performing calves to lift growth rates and improve consistency across the group. The aim is simple: better growth now drives better results later.

We will address:

Improving performance in calves with lower growth rates
Strengthening their development into well-grown replacements
Improving grass quality for calves to support stronger growth rates
Improving first-lactation outcomes – with the spring 2025 first-lactation heifer group performing at around 83% of the third-lactation spring calvers
Highlighting the opportunity to narrow that gap through targeted improvements at the rearing stage

Using real-life examples from the Worsey family, this meeting will help you:

Understand the hidden costs of heifer rearing
Discover the ‘true’ value of successfully transitioning your heifers to the milking herd

The afternoon session will focus on making profit in volatile years.

In today’s climate of fluctuating milk prices and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, maintaining profitability can feel like a moving target. The Worseys have continued to deliver consistent profits despite this volatility – and in this session, Tony will explore how through:

The Worseys’ approach to staying profitable through volatile milk prices
Managing risk in the face of unpredictable weather patterns
Practical decision-making that protects margin, not just output (CFP analysis)
Demonstrating the strategies behind their performance
Clear, practical techniques that you can adopt within your own system

This session is designed to provide practical insight and real figures showing how resilience and profitability can go hand in hand, even in challenging years.

Tea and coffee is served from 10:00, the meeting starts at 10:30.

Speaker profiles

Laura Tennant

Dr Laura Tennant, Young Animal Feed Technical Advisor at Trouw Nutrition GB, graduated with a PhD in ruminant nutrition in 2017. She joined Trouw Nutrition GB in 2019 and is particularly focused on improving hydration in young calves.

Beckie Harrison

Beckie, from Peakfield Farm Vets, has worked with the Worsey family for many years and helped them introduce pneumonia vaccinations and lung scanning, as a part of their healthy calf club.

Neil Bess

Neil, Pasture for Profit consultant at LIC, has spent almost 15 years helping British farmers implement sustainable, profitable grazing systems, drawing on experience gained across three continents.

Tony Evans

Tony Evans is a Partner and Head of Dairy Consultancy at Andersons, and is also a long-standing Forage for Knowledge contributor.

ASF contingency planning: Workshop in a box

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:13:00 GMT

ASF contingency planning: Workshop in a box

Winchester: Regional livestock health and welfare update

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:30:55 GMT

Hear the latest information on bluetongue, parasite control strategies and the support available to you via the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

This event is being hosted by AHDB and Westpoint Farm Vets (Winchester)

Agenda

6:00pm Arrival and tea/coffee
6:15pm AHDB regional update
6:30pm Bluetongue latest news and an update from our Animal Health and Welfare team
7:00pm Cattle and sheep health update, including lamb parasites, BVD and support from the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway – Winchester Farm Vets
7:30pm Food and networking
8:30pm Close

This event is free to attend but please register in advance to ensure you are catered for.

North Yorkshire: Reducing clinical mastitis – Lessons from Willow Tree Farm

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 08:19:38 GMT

What if reducing mastitis is about giving cows more space not more treatments?

Mastitis infections affect all dairy herds across the country. On average, there are 26 clinical mastitis cases per 100 cows per year equivalent, accounting for around 8% of cows exiting the dairy system (Kingshay’s 2024 Dairy Costings Focus Report).

Over the past three years, the Pattison family at Willow Tree Farm have been working to reduce clinical mastitis levels in their 300‑cow herd by focusing on cow space and improvements to the housed environment.

We will explore how these changes were implemented in practice, alongside insights from James Breen, using Willow Tree Farm as a real‑world case study.

This session will concentrate on reducing the rate of new clinical mastitis cases, drawing on real farm data, Nottingham University research on cow space and practical observations from the unit.

Using examples from Willow Tree Farm, the meeting will help attendees to:

Understand the predominant infection patterns likely to be driving mastitis in their herd
Identify the key environmental changes that can reduce mastitis risk
Analyse key performance metrics to assess mastitis control
Recognise important housing observations and measurements, including ventilation, bedding management and cow space

Whether someone is just beginning to review mastitis control or looking to learn from how another farm has approached the challenge, the event will offer practical tools and ideas they can apply directly.

Speaker profile

James Breen qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the University of Bristol in 1998 and, after working in mixed practice, returned in 2001 to undertake a residency in Farm Animal Medicine.

He later collaborated with Prof Andrew Bradley and Prof Martin Green on a national dairy cow mastitis research project, contributing to the development of the AHDB Mastitis Control Plan.

James went on to complete a three‑year RCVS Trust residency in Production Animal Medicine, balancing dairy practice in Glastonbury with teaching, research, and laboratory consultancy for QMMS Ltd in Somerset.

James now splits his time between teaching at the University of Nottingham and providing veterinary consultancy for Map of Ag, with particular expertise in mastitis control, herd health, and preventive medicine.