We have seen a lot of deformities in newborn calves this year in Co. Roscommon. In most cases these have been “dwarf” calves. Some herds have had one or two, whereas others have had many such calves. It seems that prolonged feeding of cows on silage of variable quality has led to the widespread occurrence of this problem. We have also seen a number of other deformities in cattle and sheep. Continue reading “Schmallenberg Virus”
A recent study of cattle presenting with clinical signs of pneumonia which had previously been vaccinated with a respiratory vaccine have shown pasteurella multocida to be the most common bacteria associated with the respiratory outbreak.
The study was outlined in a recent issue of the Veterinary Record
FarmLab Diagnostics have added some new tests to their range of testing services for 2015. Of particular interest are some new PCR-based tests, including tests to diagnose the presence of Mycoplasma bovis. Mycoplasma bovis is something which has become more topical in recent years due to its suspected involvement in cases of bovine mastitis in adult cows, and respiratory disease in younger cattle. Mycoplasma is very difficult to treat, hence the importance of attaining an early and accurate diagnosis. Continue reading “New Tests for 2015”
We offer a milk testing service to identify the causes of high somatic cell count and mastitis in milking cows. This can be quite useful before drying off cows to help farmers and their vets on deciding what steps to take on the farm to reduce somatic cell count and mastitis on the farm. If you are interested in having an analysis of mik samples carried out please conatct us so we can send out some sampling kits to you
A recent study in The Veterinary Journal shows that mastitis in hefers is associated with many factors, including negative energy balance in early lactation. Other relevant factors include breed, udder conformation and breeding values. Continue reading “Mastitis In Heifers”
A recent study in the Veterinary Record has shown that the presence of fluke infections in cattle at housing resulted in a serious reduction in liveweight gain during housing. The study which was conducted by monitoring 4 groups from a group of 64 weanlings (170- 370 kg ) in Scotland. One group was left untreated, while each of the three other groups were treated using a range of treatments. Before treatment the cattle were monitored for the presence of liver fluke infection by using two tests: liver fluke egg visualistaion and coproantigen testing. Continue reading “Liver fluke at housing has a significant negative effect on liveweight gain”
FarmLab Diagnostics have been awarded accreditation by the Irish National Accreditation board to carry out antibody elisa testing for the following diseases : Johnes Disease, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) , Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) and Leptospirosis. To view our accreditation cert click here
FarmLab Diagnostics were presented with the prize of Food/Agricultural Laboratory of the year at the Irish Laboratory Awards 2014, which was held in Dublin at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel on December 6th. You can read more about the awards in the following newspaper article.
All of the finalists may be seen in the following article which was published in The Irish Independent on 18/12/14
For more information on the Irish Laboratory Awards click here
Farmlab Diagnostics won the category of Food or Agricultural Laboratory of the Year at the Irish Laboratory Awards, held in Dublin in December 2014. Details of the award are detailed in this month’s issue of the Veterinary Ireland Journal
FarmLab Diagnostics is now designated by Animal Health Ireland to provide BVD tests on blood samples for veterinary practitioners. The test method used is real time PCR, meaning that blood from adult animals may be pooled to reduce the cost of testing. For more information on this test feel free to contact us
