👋 Meet the Team
We’re delighted to welcome Lucy Fletcher as our new VIO, based in Dumfries. Qualified from RVC in 2019, Lucy brings wide‑ranging farm and pathology experience from across the UK and beyond 🌍
Welcome to the team, Lucy! 👏

#SRUC #VetServices #Farmvet #MeetTheTeam

🐮 Sharing our passion for animal health
Visit the SRUC Bovine Health Hub at NBA Beef Expo
📍 Melton Mowbray Livestock Market
📅 Saturday 30th May
Explore practical tools to boost beef herd welfare, performance and profitability—designed for real farms and real challenges.
#PCHS #Agrecalc #BeefExpo

🐑🐄 Scottish animal disease surveillance update (Nov 2025–Jan 2026)
Winter reports from SRUC highlight ongoing ovine abortion investigations, seasonal cattle nutrition/metabolic issues, and the continued value of early diagnosis during housing & lambing. Read more: buff.ly/gr6cxuv

🐂 Pre‑breeding bull checks matter
Breeding is only weeks away. Check BCS (aim 3), feet & exercise levels, keep vaccinations up to date, and book a BBSE 6–8 weeks before turnout. Research shows 1 in 5 bulls fail fertility tests—don’t leave it to chance.

🐑 Clostridial disease can be deadly for young lambs
Lamb dysentery & pulpy kidney are common causes of sudden death. Prevention relies on timely ewe vaccination, good nutrition & prompt colostrum intake. If concerned, speak to your vet. 💉🍼

SBV exposure was high across Scotland last year, potentially leading to more foetal deformities this spring. If lambing or calving feels unusual or difficult, consider SBV and speak to your vet promptly.

#Schmallenberg #SBV #SheepFarming #CattleFarming #BackBritishFarming

Spring turn‑out reminder: 2/3 of bought‑in cattle carry roundworms, with some resistance to white wormers. Treat arrivals, quarantine, and check egg counts to protect your herd. 🐄🔍
#SRUC #LivestockHealth #FarmVet #BeefFarming #SheepFarming

Missed it live?
Catch up on Keeping Calves Capable—a deep dive into calf suckling behaviour, passive immunity, and on‑farm strategies to strengthen neonatal health.
▶️ Watch the webinar on demand buff.ly/e5BJyGh

#SRUC #VetCPD #FarmVet #CattleVet #VetWebinar

🐣 Happy Easter from SRUC Veterinary Services!
Lambing and calving are in full swing across the country, and our teams are working alongside farmers to keep the season running smoothly.
Thanks to all the farmers and vets putting in the hard graft this weekend.

#SRUC #Lambing #Calving #BritishFarming

How well do you know your BVD facts?

Many beef herds still underestimate the silent spread of BVD and the financial hit caused by undetected PI animals, even though a single PI can cost around £55 per cow per year in a beef herd.

Visit www.cattlhealth.co.uk for more information.

#BVD #SRUC

🐑 Johne’s disease is a hidden threat in UK sheep flocks — causing 5–10% ewe mortality.
It hits productivity hard: reduced fertility, poorer lamb growth and long‑term underperformance.
✅ PSGHS accreditation & monitoring help farmers detect it early, strengthen biosecurity, and protect performance.

Adding to your herd?
Choose animals from herds accredited through the Premium Cattle Health Scheme
📉 Lower disease risk
📈 Better performance
🛡 Protect your herd health
🔍 Independent, trusted testing
Smart purchases start with proven health status.
www.cattlehealth.co.uk

#PCHS #CattleHealth

Mineral Nutrition Webinar Series starts tonight!
25 March, 7pm
Latest info & top tips for dairy cows
Hosted by Dr Cara Campbell with Dr Annie Williams (Mineral Advice Ltd).
Next up:
🐑 29 Apr – Sheep
🐂 27 May – Beef
Register here: www.mineral-advice.com

#VetCPD #FarmVet #SRUC #ScotVet #ScotGov

Vaccination saves lives and strengthens herds/ flocks.
On Vaccine Engagement Day, SRUC Veterinary Services encourages all farmers to review their herd and flock vaccination plans.
Healthy animals = resilient farms.
#VaccineEngagementDay #SRUCVS

🚨 BVD testing options for young calves 🚨
A reminder to our customers of BVD testing costs for young calves.
For calves under 4 weeks:
🧪 Only validated blood test = individual BVD PCR (£27.50)
🔬 Tissue testing is available from birth and cost‑effective.
Please ensure farmers know their options. 🐄

Heading to NBA Beef Expo on 30 May?
Visit the SRUC Bovine Health Hub for expert, practical advice on herd health, disease control, nutrition, grazing and boosting farm profitability.
Chat 1:1 with SRUC vets, consultants & researchers.
Don’t miss it!
#BeefExpo #SRUC #BeefFarming #HerdHealth

Seeing sudden deaths from perforated abomasal ulcers? Most occur May–July in well-grown suckled calves. Findings suggest Sarcina spp. and large milk intakes may trigger tympany and mucosal injury leading to perforation. Worth reviewing feeding patterns + mineral status.

Last week, VIO Caroline joined Ann from Lurgan Sheep Vet and Huvepharma to speak with local hill farmers in Aberfeldy about biosecurity, infectious disease risks and safe on‑farm post‑mortems.
On‑farm PMs can give quick, cost‑effective answers—but should only be done with proper training.

MV can spread silently for years, causing reduced fertility, milk, lower DLWG, higher losses… and major financial impact.
The PSGHS MV Monitoring Scheme offers a simple, affordable way for commercial flocks to check their MV status before problems escalate.
More at: www.sheepandgoathealth.co.uk

Improving herd health boosts productivity and reduces emissions.
Tackling diseases like BVD and Johne’s, improving fertility, and testing bulls can increase calf output and lower the carbon footprint of beef production.

Johne’s disease can quietly impact herd productivity — but it can be tackled.

At Easter Howgate Farm, a structured control plan through the Premium Cattle Health Scheme helped reduce infection levels to under 3% and improve herd performance.

Read the case study 👇
buff.ly/uLRu0hA

This practical CPD course covers the key endo- and ectoparasites affecting cattle and sheep, including PGE, lungworm, coccidiosis, liver fluke and sheep scab.

Enhance your on-farm impact — book your place now buff.ly/mSryaxI

🎥 Catch up on our BVD Phase 6 webinar!

Make sure you're clued up on Scotland’s progress, what Phase 6 means for vets, the challenges ahead, and how other countries compare — all with SRUC’s Helen Carty.
👉 Watch the recording: buff.ly/MZmjkNk

#BVD #ScotVet #ScotGov #SRUC #CattleHealth

Woodburn Farm is showing what high‑health sheep farming looks like.
MV‑accredited through PSGHS and routinely screening for Johne’s, OPA, CLA, EAE, toxo - plus targeted worming to cut resistance.
A closed, resilient, low‑lameness Poll Dorset flock backed by strong genetics and strong biosecurity.

🚨 Abortion in Ewes (Scotland 2025/26)
EAE and toxo still top causes of abortion, but Schmallenberg is on the rise again. If you see more than a few abortions, keep the lamb + placenta and call your vet quickly. Early action protects the rest of your flock. 🐑🔍

Gareth Mulligan (Afon Vets & Chair of Iechyd Da) chats with Alison Braddock, SRUC Veterinary Services about the upcoming Welsh Sustainability in Farming Scheme, opportunities for vets in the Animal Health Improvement Cycle & the Premium Cattle Health Scheme 👉 tinyurl.com/33tfkmvz @vets.bsky.social

📢 Action Required ⚠️
If you’re affected by the Biobest Laboratory closure, you must complete and return your Closure Declaration to transfer records and protect your herd status under SRUC’s Premium Cattle Health Scheme.

⏳ Deadline: Friday 27th February

Full details: www.cattlehealth.co.uk

Colostrum failures are strongly linked to dystocia and poor suck reflex.
Unassisted ≠ easy — 78% of unassisted calves with a weak reflex didn’t feed in 4 hrs.
Score both at birth and intervene early to prevent FPT.

#Calving #CalfHealth #FarmVet #SRUC #PCHS

🐑 Sheep farmers—your voice matters!
The Lamb Castration Consultation is open now. Share your on‑farm experience and help shape future policy.
🗓️ Closes 9 March
🔗 Link below to take part: buff.ly/4W52ZyP

🐝 New episode!
Alison Braddock chats with SRUC Bee Advisor Lorraine Johnston about hive life, the secret world of bees, and why these tiny pollinators are vital to our food systems.
Plus: tips for supporting bees + upcoming FAS pollinator conferences.
Listen: buff.ly/qPyWUxh
Events: buff.ly/rQBYXEp