| Livestock
Vets offer flood advice to prevent livestock losses
With flood warnings in place across the UK, vets are urging owners to take precautionary measures to protect their livestock after findings from the British Veterinary Association’ s( BVA) Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey reveal that in areas affected by flooding last winter( 2015 / 16), a third( 33 %) of vets working with livestock or horses had clients who lost stock due to flooding.
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VA together with the Sheep Veterinary Society( SVS), British Cattle Veterinary Association( BCVA), British Equine Veterinary Association( BEVA) and Goat Veterinary Society( GVS) are advising large animal owners to ensure their animals are kept out of harm’ s way in areas where there are flood warnings in place. Although most livestock keepers are well aware of the risks flooding poses to their animals, with rapidly rising water levels able to cut off access to cattle, sheep and horses, or even wash them away, the leading veterinary associations are encouraging extra caution if livestock are usually kept near a river. Field-flooding can happen suddenly, at any time, in the days after a deluge of rain. If fields are prone to flooding then, where possible, it’ s advised that owners move their livestock ahead of time to a drier field during the winter months. The five veterinary organisations are also highlighting that flooded and muddy fields pose health and welfare hazards for cattle, sheep, goats and other livestock, with 23 % of vets in last year’ s flood-affected areas reporting problems due to animals being cut off from food and a further 27 % of vets seeing cases of flood-related lameness. Standing in water and deep mud can predispose animals to, and exacerbate, infections and diseases, such as foot rot, so vets are advising owners to ensure their fields have suitable drainage and an area where animals can stand out of the mud or damp. Wet, muddy fields also provide an ideal habitat for the tiny snail involved in the maintenance of the life cycle of the production limiting liver fluke, a serious parasite which can be fatal to sheep. After flood water recedes, owners should also be sure to inspect the pastures and streams for potentially hazardous plants or other material that may have been deposited – examples include the roots of Water Dropwort which may be exposed after heavy water flow or rainfall and which may be highly toxic to grazing animals. Gudrun Ravetz, President of the British Veterinary Association, says:“ We know that livestock keepers and farmers are well aware of the risks of flooding. But our survey shows that owners can still get caught out and that livestock can easily be lost to flooding. Thinking ahead and having a contingency in place is a wise move for hardpushed livestock farmers and we’ re encouraging all large animal owners to be vigilant this winter, particularly where there are flood warnings in place.” If the weather conditions become too hazardous, BVA and the other veterinary associations suggest moving livestock to sheltered areas closer to home, not only to keep animals dry, but to ensure owners stay safe themselves by avoiding trips out into more exposed areas of land in dangerous conditions.
BARRY THE BULL ' S NOT A LAUGHING STOCK
There ' s a rumour going round( Well, It ' s all over the town) That Barry the black bull is feeling down He ' s been so sad and quiet He ' s gone off his grassy diet And all he does is stand, head bowed and frown
All the herd were quite concerned For him to " moo " they greatly yearned But could tell he had a problem from a mile Though they told him bullish jokes( The kind best only told to blokes!) It never made him laugh or crack a smile
Although the saying goes.... " No moos is good moos "..... I suppose That in this case, that saying is untrue Because as Barry was so silent All the herd felt quite defiant That there MUST be something that they could all do!
One suggestion raised a groan It was.... " wait ' til the cows come home " Then jump out on Barry dressed as funny llamas But then.... like a bull at a gate They found....... they were all too late! As he ' d set off for bed and slipped on his pyjamas
So when that idea back-fired A model cow was then acquired To lure Barry with her big cow eyes They hoped that love would change his moo........ d But sadly then had to conclude She looked more like a horse... and thrice the size!
In order to beguile They ruminated for a while As bull-oney wasn ' t something to pursue Then one mature breeder( Who had made himself the leader) Said " This is offal... but I ' ve got a plan or two!"
That plan ' s no good( piped up another)( Who happened to be.... Barry ' s brother) Bullseye! I think I ' ve hit on the real reason I ' ve recently been told that Barry ' s looking very cold But that is simply just because we are both..... Fresian!
One " brighter spark " ignited As he quizzed them( quite excited) Has anyone " asked " Barry what is wrong?! They shook their heads in disbelief Although It was a great relief To think that they had found the cause after so long
It seems the problem ' s very clear Communication ' s lacking here And Barry needs to get It off his chest That ' s when Barry then declared I really thought you didn ' t care But now realise you bulls are just the best!
So I can now confide that others made me run and hide When they told me bluntly that " I ' m talking.... bull "! It seems that I misunderstood( which as a bull... I think I would) And assumed that they were being rather cruel!
But now I understand! My mood has lifted- I feel grand! I ' m just sorry that I ' ve acted such a fool Now all my days of sweet-cud chewing And the smiling I am doing Means from this day on my life will be...... a bull!
Copyright © 2016 Lesley Scott. All Rights Reserved. Comments / queries welcome at www. lesleyscottpoetry. co. uk
10 | Farming Monthly | December 2016 www. farmingmonthly. co. uk