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Cumbrian Farm Helps Tackle Major Cattle Diseases

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N50
Published: 28 Apr 2011

Cattle on the Capticks’ farm (opens in new window)

Park House Farm in Milnthorpe, Cumbria has joined forces with the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) to help tackle two diseases of major concern to the UK cattle industry.

BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea) and Johne’s disease affect cattle fertility and outbreaks can cost farmers many thousands of pounds a year. A free event for farmers and vets offering advice on tackling the problem is being hosted by Park House Farm, with SAC support, on 19 May.

The event will include discussion about SAC’s Premium Cattle Health Scheme (PCHS). Delivered in partnership with practising vets in the North of England and Scotland, the PCHS seeks to identify herds free from four key diseases (BVD, Johne's , Leptospirosis and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis) and to offer a control programme for herds in which the diseases have been identified. North of the Border, SAC supports the Scottish Government’s ambitious BVD eradication scheme and is also working with Quality Meat Scotland and other industry partners to carry out research into controlling Johne’s.

Gordon and Mary Capstick and their son Paul, who farm their herd of 120 Stabiliser cattle on the 650-acre Park House Farm, joined the PCHS two years ago. Paul Captick says the family recognises that the accredited status of their herd gives them a more marketable breeding animal, enabling them to produce top quality beef and also improve the herd output through tightening of the spring calving period.

Paul explained: “We had had a closed herd for six to seven years before we joined the Premium Cattle Health Scheme so we didn’t know what we had in terms of BVD and Johne’s. We have had two clear years in the Scheme which has been of great benefit. It gives us peace of mind and it is also of particular benefit when selling breeding stock.”

With 75 farmer members in Cumbria and Lancashire, SAC Veterinary Centre Manager Colin Mason says the Captsicks are among the growing number of farmers in the north of England recognising the benefits of the PCHS. Interest has increased rapidly in the past six to 12 months due, says Colin, to increased awareness of the importance of health status in individual herds and selling cattle.

Colin said: “Joining the Premium Cattle Health Scheme is not just of benefit in the case of pedigree herds but also for commercial farmers. For instance, now that Scotland has a compulsory BVD eradication scheme, it is in the interest of farmers in the North of England who trade cattle in Scotland to have health accreditation. It is also important for commercial and pedigree producers to consider the health and production benefits of disease control and eradication that is achievable in the short term and also plan now for how they wish to see herd health status improve in the medium and long term. This is particularly important for diseases such as Johne’s.”

The Park House Farm event will also offer farmers an opportunity to find out more about the wide range of services SAC offers in the region. Those who would like to attend on 19 May should telephone Sacha on 01668 283363. A free lunch will be provided on the day.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Mr Colin Mason
Veterinary Centre Manager
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work St Mary's Industrial Estate,
Dumfries
DG1 1DX
TelWork 01387 267260
Fax 01387 250028

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News Release Issued By

Ms Jane Smernicki
Head of Communications
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4331

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