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Independent cattle practice launches in Wales
Richard Cumming and Lies Beekhuis.

The Cattle Vet aims to support the industry in a changing and evolving market.

A new independent cattle-focused veterinary practice has been launched in West Wales.

The Cattle Vet was founded by Richard Cumming and Lies Beekhuis to deliver veterinary services to farmers in Carmarthen, Newcastle Emlyn and Cardigan.

With extensive experience in cattle farming, the pair set out to create a practice that excels in one specific area. However, the practice is happy to service all livestock on farm.

Covering all aspects of veterinary work, The Cattle Vet’s services include pregnancy diagnosis, sick cows, emergency work and TB testing, with an understanding that preventative medicine is key for a farmer’s survival.

“We’re focused on being the best we can at cattle, working at the forefront of the cattle industry and anything dairy and beef related rather than trying to spread ourselves thinly across all farm enterprises,” explained Lies. “We want to work with forward-thinking farmers and support our industry in this changing and evolving market.”

Richard’s career was driven by his own experience of growing up in the farming community of West Wales. He qualified in 2016 and has been working in West Wales ever since.

Lies Beekhuis qualified in 2006 from Utrecht University in the Netherlands and has worked in practice and taught vet students in Carmarthenshire since 2010. She is a European and RCVS specialist in cattle and the partner of a dairy farmer who farms at Gilwen farm in Newcastle Emlyn.

Image (C) The Cattle Vet.

 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.