Over the past several months, SRUC Vet Services and SAC Consulting, with expert input from external sources, have been working on two posters for farmers; one on 'Calving the cow', and one on 'Care of the cow and calf post-calving'.

On most farms across Scotland, calf losses at calving are too high. However, studies have shown that 90% of calves that die at calving were actually alive at the start of calving, suggesting that most of these losses are due to calving difficulties. The issue is complex, but on a farm level, part of the solution in reducing these losses involves correct management of the cow at calving including appropriate supervision, intervening at the right time, use of correct calving and calf resuscitation techniques and calling for veterinary attention at the correct time.

The posters are for farmers, and aim to share information based on published literature and the collective experience of vets and farmers on the best practice in calving the cow and care of the cow and calf up to the first day post-calving. The poster breaks the process into simple, practical steps. Production of these posters have been funded by the University Innovation Fund from the Scottish Council.

The posters are shown below for your information and use as you wish.

• Calving the cow: a quick guide
• Care of the cow and calf post calving

PARASITE FORECAST - MARCH 2021 NADIS publishes a monthly Parasite Forecast for farmers and livestock keepers, based on detailed Met Office data. The Parasite Forecast outlines the parasitic challenge facing cattle and sheep in the different UK regions. This month's webinar focuses on Parasite control planning. Chronic Fasciolosis. Sheep : Nematodirus, Parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE) and Coccidiosis. Cattle: PGE and Lungworm.

Please find attached an article from the SAC Consulting Beef and Sheep News entitled "Sustainable Antibiotic Use At Lambing" by Megan Fergusson, SRUC Veterinary Services.

Please find attached the following Bitesize local update entitled Baby it's cold outside

PARASITE FORECAST - FEBRUARY 2021 NADIS publishes a monthly Parasite Forecast for farmers and livestock keepers, based on detailed Met Office data. The Parasite Forecast outlines the parasitic challenge facing cattle and sheep in the different UK regions. This month's webinar focuses on Parasite control planning and Liver fluke. Sheep : Nematodirus, Parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE) and Ectoparasite control. Cattle: PGE and Ectoparasite control.

Please find attached the 2019/20 Scottish Government's Veterinary Services Programme.

To view the report click here.

Please find attached the following Bitesize local update on Ovine Plant Poisoning

Please find attached an article from the SAC Consulting Beef and Sheep News entitled "CODD: Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis" by Catriona Dykes, SRUC Veterinary Services.

PARASITE FORECAST - JANUARY 2021 NADIS publishes a monthly Parasite Forecast for farmers and livestock keepers, based on detailed Met Office data. The Parasite Forecast outlines the parasitic challenge facing cattle and sheep in the different UK regions. This month's webinar focuses on Parasite control planning and Fasciolosis. Sheep : Parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE) and Ectoparasite control. Cattle: Type-2 ostertagiosis and Ectoparasite control.

Please find attached the following Bitesize local update on Look out for Histophilus somni septicaemia/myocarditis.

To view the presentation which includes further details on the Scottish cases of Histophilus somni septicaemia and information on sampling click here