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Dairy herd productivity breakthrough
Experts claim control of mastitis is essential 

Following the fifth European Mastitis Panel meeting, held last week in Bristol, experts have claimed that the control of mastitis-causing pathogens is key to improving dairy herd productivity.

15 experts from seven European countries attended the panel – including Chris Hudson of the University of Nottingham and Theo Lam, a professor at Utrect University. The participants took part in a two-day workshop which involved visits to typical regional farms and an exchange of expertise on the latest approaches to mastitis control throughout Europe.

The devised plan involves a structured, herd-level approach to mastitis control. This was initially tested using a randomised controlled trial on 52 UK herds showing there to be a significant benefit for udder health.


The plan has since been put in place on almost 1,000 UK dairy farms, and early indications are that "similar improvements have resulted," said Mr Hudson.

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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. 

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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.