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Beef Technical Notes

The production of the following Technical Notes has been funded by The Scottish Government under "Public Good Funding".

Further Technical Notes are available to subscribers to SAC's consultancy services.  For more information, contact your local FBS office.

Technical Notes

Stockowner Biosecurity
Stockowner Biosecurity (PDF: 364 kB)
Authors: Sandy Clark, Colin Mason
ISBN: 1854828975  
Published:Apr 2009
The prevention of infectious disease to livestock farm herds and flocks is more important as margins tighten and exotic diseases threaten. Constant attention to detail and vigilance for signs of disease are vital for the protection of your animals and business. Stockowners need to consider the disease risks when employing contractors, helping neighbours, attending livestock auctions, agricultural shows and visiting any facility where animals are kept. There are guidelines which, if adhered to, can prevent unnecessary disease incursion with the associated loss of income and hardships.
Biodiversity And Animal Health
Biodiversity And Animal Health (PDF: 386 kB)
Authors: D J Roberts, S Stewart, and C Mason
ISBN: 1854828827  
Published:Mar 2009
Both biodiversity and animal health are important issues on livestock farms. Carefuly integrated farm management can benefit both wildlife and livestock and reduce diffuse pollution. This note summarises some of the examples where improving biodiversity can also improve animal health and other examples where there is a potential conflict between the two areas.
Woodchip Corrals
Woodchip Corrals (PDF: 463 kB)
Authors: Dave Merrilees & Seamus Donnelly
ISBN: 1854828592  
Published:Jan 2007
Woodchip corrals have been used as a cost-effective system for overwintering cattle compared with conventional housing. Operational performance in Scotland and elsewhere indicates that not only is stock health and welfare better from rearing outdoors but economic performance is also enhanced.
Biosecurity – Vehicles Visiting The Farm
Biosecurity – Vehicles Visiting The Farm (PDF: 183 kB)
Authors: Derek Kennedy, Mark Crawshaw
ISBN: 1854828428  
Published:Dec 2007
There are a number of actions individual farmers can take to minimise the risk of vehicles bringing disease onto their farms. In the event of an infectious disease outbreak, farmers should have a contingency plan. In some cases, the authorities may specify what minimum biosecurity measures they would expect farmers and farm visitors to adhere to.
On-farm Biosecurity Strategy For A Notifiable Disease Outbreak: The 4 S's
On-farm Biosecurity Strategy For A Notifiable Disease Outbreak: The 4 S's (PDF: 201 kB)
Authors: D J Roberts & Mark Crawshaw
ISBN: 185482838x  
Published:Feb 2007
The following strategy has been developed to help farmers plan what action they would take on their farm with respect to biosecurity in order to deal with an outbreak of a contagious, notifiable disease, such as foot and mouth, occurring in the UK.
Ragwort Poisoning In Livestock: Prevention & Control
Ragwort Poisoning In Livestock: Prevention & Control (PDF: 180 kB)
Authors: Ken Davies
ISBN: 1854828231  
Published:May 2005
Importance of controlling the weed ragwort in grassland and prevention of posioning of livestock.
Health Status Of Breeding Cattle For Sale
Health Status Of Breeding Cattle For Sale (PDF: 54 kB)
Authors: George Caldow, Sheila Rusbridge, Mark Crawshaw, George Gunn
ISBN: 1854827715  
Published:Feb 2003
The health status of animals at sale is important for two reasons. Firstly the animal itself needs to be free from the major diseases if it is to breed successfully and have a long and productive life. Secondly these animals should be free from the major diseases so that they do not endanger either the health of the other animals at the sale or the health of the herd that they are sold in to.
Design Of Cattle Farm Steadings For Maximum Biosecurity
Design Of Cattle Farm Steadings For Maximum Biosecurity (PDF: 60 kB)
Authors: Mark Crawshaw, Basil Lowman, Jack Bishop, George Caldow
ISBN: 1854827421  
Published:Jan 2003
It is obviously difficult to redesign existing farm steadings to provide maximum biosecurity. Knowing the ideal layout to minimise the entry of infectious disease will allow any future modifications/extensions etc to enhance rather than detract from the biosecurity of the unit.
Herd Biosecurity For Cattle
Herd Biosecurity For Cattle (PDF: 67 kB)
Authors: Mark Crawshaw, George Caldow, George Gunn, Sheila Rusbridge
ISBN: 1854827340  
Published:Apr 2002
Information on the role of biosecurity in the control of infectious diseases and the implementation of herd biosecurity for cattle.
Johne's Disease In Cattle
Johne's Disease In Cattle (PDF: 59 kB)
Authors: George Caldow, Sheila Rusbridge, Mark Crawshaw, George Gunn
ISBN: 1854827499  
Published:Feb 2003
The disease, Crohn’s disease, Diagnosis and diagnostic tests, Prevalence in the UK herd, Significance for the UK dairy herd, Significance for the UK beef herd, Options for control
Leptospira Hardjo Infection In Cattle
Leptospira Hardjo Infection In Cattle (PDF: 176 kB)
Authors: Sheila Rusbridge, George Caldow, Mark Crawshaw, George Gunn
ISBN: 154827480  
Published:Mar 2004
Leptospira hardjo infection is associated with infertility and abortion and the weak calf syndrome. Infection is nearly always introduced into a herd by the purchase of infected cattle.
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) (PDF: 41 kB)
Authors: Mark Crawshaw, George Gunn, Peter Nettleton, George Caldow
ISBN: 1854827103  
Published:Aug 2004
Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis is an acute infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that commonly affects cattle aged 6 months or more.
Pneumonia In Beef Cattle
Pneumonia In Beef Cattle (PDF: 153 kB)
Authors: George Caldow, Mark Crawshaw
ISBN: 185482824X  
Published:Aug 2005
Calf pneumonia is a significant source of financial loss in beef production
The Control & Management Of Calf Diarrhoea In Beef Herds
The Control & Management Of Calf Diarrhoea In Beef Herds (PDF: 129 kB)
Authors: Colin Mason, George Caldow
ISBN: 1854828274  
Published:Sep 2005
Calf diarrhoea or calf scour can cause significant losses in the beef herd.
Planned Worm Control For The Beef Herd
Planned Worm Control For The Beef Herd (PDF: 90 kB)
Authors: George Caldow
ISBN: 1854828266  
Published:Oct 2005
Gut worms and lungworm have a severe adverse effect on the growth rates of immature beef cattle. However in many herds worm treatments are also given when they are not required, wasting time and resources. The way to prevent losses and to ensure that cost effective worm control is achieved is to plan the whole season's worm control before turnout.
Trace Element Disorders In Beef Cattle
Trace Element Disorders In Beef Cattle (PDF: 145 kB)
Authors: Mark Crawshaw, George Caldow
ISBN: 1854828258  
Published:Sep 2005
Copper, cobalt, selenium and iodine are essential components of the diet to maintain health and productivity
Recommendations For The Design Of New Safe & Efficient Cattle Handling Systems
Recommendations For The Design Of New Safe & Efficient Cattle Handling Systems (PDF: 166 kB)
Authors: Dr Simon Turner
ISBN: 1854828061  
Published:Oct 2004
Investing in a new handling system is a major commitment and design faults will either have to be corrected at a later date or contended with for the life of the system. Spending time at the outset developing a safe and efficient design appropriate to your needs is therefore easily justified. As the ease and safety of handling depends largely on how well the behaviour of the animal is exploited, the starting point in the design process should be understanding what features encourage calm movement.
Modifying Existing Handling Systems To Improve Human Safety
Modifying Existing Handling Systems To Improve Human Safety (PDF: 143 kB)
Authors: Dr Simon Turner
ISBN: 1854828053  
Published:Oct 2004
By examining the Health and Safety Executive annual statistical reports, it is apparent that there has been no reduction in the number of human fatalities whilst handling cattle in the UK since the 1970s, despite a reduction in the total rate of agricultural fatalities.
Treatment And Control Of Liver Fluke In Sheep And Cattle
Treatment And Control Of Liver Fluke In Sheep And Cattle (PDF: 1.0 MB)
Authors: George Mitchell
ISBN: 1854827987  
Published:Nov 2003
Due to the increased risk of liver fluke disease it is essential that stockowners investigate any unexplained losses or disease entities
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