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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 12th May 2014
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Irish farmers urged to sow wild bird cover
farmer
The most popular and easy to grow crop is the one year crop of oats and linseed.

Crop must be sown before the end of May

Irish farmers are being encouraged to take part in a scheme to provide a crop of wild bird cover.

Spring-sown crop or crop mixture must be sown before the end of May, according to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARDNI).

The schemes aim to give farmland birds  a valuable food source for the harsh winter months.

Farmers are paid a rate of around £500/ha depending on the scheme and crop type.

The most popular and easy to grow crop is the one year crop of oats and linseed.

Francis McElwee, who farms on the slopes of Slieve Gallion, Desertmartin, has been growing wild bird cover for eight years under his environmentally sensitive areas agreement.

He said: "I find oats hardier and surer to grow in poorer soils. This year along with oats I am sowing some barley, mustard and linseed. 

"With a lot less birds in the countryside now, it's great to see the swallows sailing over the field to pick up insects and the smaller birds feeding on the crop over the winter."

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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
BSAVA announces 12th Edition of the Small Animal Formulary

The BSAVA has published an updated edition of its Small Animal Formulary, which includes new drug monographs and emergency drug doses for rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles.

One of BSAVA's most trusted and widely used clinical resources, this 12th edition of the manual also includes seven new client information leaflets and information on drugs used for the management of urinary incontinence.

Part A of the Formulary, Canine and Feline, sees Fergus Allerton return as Editor-in-Chief, while Part B: Exotic Pets was edited by Joanna Hedley. For more information, visit the BSAVA website.