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Veterinary tip winner at BCVA congress
Advice from Somerset vet wins competition

Vet Phil Kenward has won a competition at the BCVA congress for the best practical veterinary tip.

The tip was: "Do not allow the owner's diagnosis of his problem to worry or influence you before you examine the animal yourself."

Mr Kenward, of Farm Vets South West in Somerset, won a bottle of port for his wise words.

The competition was organised to celebrate the launch of The Pocket Book of Tips for Practising Vets. Money raised from its sales will go to the Veterinary Benevolent Fund (VBF).

President of the VBF Lydia Brown, said: "This book has been a monumental effort by six mixed practice vets, to both share their experience with the profession and to provide very welcome funds for the veterinary profession’s own charity, the VBF."

Judges Jonathan Statham, president of BCVA, and Andrew Praill, senior vice president, decided to award Mr Kenward winner of the competition. 

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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.