Veterinary Services

• White muscle disease in recently turned out cattle
• Abortion in a dairy herd associated with Bovine Herpes Virus type 1
• Increased incidence of coccidiosis in spring born suckler calves
• Nematodirus battus infection common in growing lambs
• Photosensitisation associated with Copper poisoning in sheep

The weather for the month was generally unsettled due to a series of cold fronts moving across the country. Temperatures were generally average, however exceptionally low temperatures were recorded with a minimum temperature of -4 °C at Tulloch Bridge on the 23rd. Rainfall was 130% of the 1961-1990 average and such conditions favoured the development of nematode larvae on pastures, with parasitic disease being commonly diagnosed, particularly in young lambs. The wet weather favoured grass growth after the late spring but delayed the start of silage making for dairy producers until the end of the month. The poor weather delayed turn out and continued to cause disease problems for suckled calf and sheep producers.