The Farmers Mart Jun/Jul 2015 - Issue 40 | Page 56

Livestock New diagnostics confirm continuing leptospirosis threat in north of England »»Leptospirosis remains a common threat to dairy and beef herds in the north of England, according to extensive new data collected over the last 18 months from the MSD Animal Health EXPERTIS™ BeefCheck and DairyCheck disease diagnostic schemes. This latest data set, taken from a total of 1841 nonvaccinating farms1 across Britain, shows for example that over 60% of herds were positive for leptospirosis antibodies in Northumberland, Durham and Lancashire, while infection rates were over 50% in Cumbria and Yorkshire. The results highlight the importance in the region of vaccination at turnout. “Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterial infection, and there are two strains which are known to affect UK herds, L. hardjo prajitno and L. hardjo bovis,” explains MSD technical manager John Atkinson. “In some cases, the effects of an infection can be dramatic. For example, in a recent leptospirosis outbreak in Ayr reported in March this year, 12 cows from a herd of 160 experienced a sudden onset drop in milk production. In many cases, however, the disease doesn’t cause these dramatic effects, but it can significantly lower fertility and cause poor calf health. Leptospirosis also infects people, for example through contact with cattle urine. The latest data from Public Health England shows that farmers are at particular risk of contracting this infection, which may cause severe flu-like symptoms that can last for weeks or months. Fat Cattle Scales Vaccination can be carried out with the proven and effective vaccine Leptavoid®-H. This is the only leptospirosis vaccine that is developed from a UK isolate, is licensed to protect against both UK strains, and is licensed to improve fertility, where leptospirosis is the cause. For added convenience and timesaving, Leptavoid®-H can also be given at the same time as Bovilis® BVD, the UK and Europe’s leading BVD vaccine. Sheep Scales For ALL Your Weighing Requirements SPECIALISTS in Livestock Weighing • All Types of Livestock Weighing • Platform Scales • Bagging Scales • Forklift and Pallet Truck Weighing • Silo, Hopper and Tank Weighing Weighbridges • Portable and Fixed Weighbridges • Wheel and Axle Weighers • Yield Software • Livestock Scanning Interface Systems • Repair, Service and Calibration Note: We Are Now In Our New Premises At: Unit 3 A & B Muirhall Road, Larbert FK5 4RF Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone] Email: [email protected] Web: www.weighingsolutions.co.uk 56 Jun/Jul 2015 www.farmers-mart.co.uk Weighing Terminals