This month's article describes a form of BVD virus that can affect sheep. 

We are now into what is called phase 4 of the Scottish Government Eradication scheme for BVD.  There are changes to the scheme in phase 4 that mainly affect herds classed as 'not-negative'.

Post-Mortems: a useful – sometimes vital - diagnostic tool

A post-mortem can be a useful – sometimes vital - tool to diagnose the cause of a health problem on the farm. It will cost money to carry out, but will save money in the long term if it can identify the specific disease issue, thereby enabling a more targeted approach to treatment and prevention.  For best results, the fresher the carcase the better, and/or consider sacrificing one of the sick animals.

Purchasing a bull can be an expensive process, but the value that he brings to your herd can be worth far more than his initial cost.  It is important to consider what you want from your bull before choosing him, and once you have chosen, to ensure that he is healthy and fit for purpose.