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Udder research offers new insights
ewe
A leading cause of udder lumps was found to be acute mastitis.
Findings indicate risk factors for acute mastitis

A ewe mastitis research project has offered fresh insights into the risk factors for udder lumps and acute mastitis.

The findings could help to inform culling decisions and improve awareness of the conditions that cause udder lumps.

Researchers from the University of Warwick scored nearly 5,000 pedigree and commercial ewes over two breeding seasons.

In two consecutive years, the ewes were scored four weeks before lambing and nine weeks after giving birth.

Acute mastitis was found to be more common in ewes with poor udder conformation, teat lesions, inadequate nutrition during pregnancy and those feeding twins or triplets.

Older ewes were also more likely to have acute mastitis.

Ewes with the condition were also found to be "significantly more likely" to have an udder lump in the next examination.

Leading causes of udder lumps were found to be acute mastitis, teat lesions, infection by another ewe and feeding insufficient energy during lactation.

Furthermore, researchers found flocks with a higher percentage of ewes with lumps during pregnancy had a higher number of ewes with lumps in lactation. Senior livestock scientist Liz Genever said this suggests the infection is passed within the flock.

Udder lumps are formed by bacteria and can rupture and disperse, reforming as another abscess elsewhere in the udder.

A link was found between udder conformations (big/extremely positioned teats and droopy udders) and an increase in teat lesions, udder lumps, acute mastitis and slower growing lambs.

The final report from the project is expected to be released later this year.

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FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

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News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk