Irrigation Water Quality Criteria

14:05 | 18/04/2012

View times : 12,967   Observations : 0

FSA to Take Over Dairy Hygiene Inspections

21:36 | 28/03/2012

View times : 9,346   Observations : 0

UK - From April 2012, Food Standards Agency (FSA) staff will be taking over the role of dairy hygiene inspectors on farms in England and Wales, continuing the work of Animal Health Veterinary Laboratory Agency (AHVLA) who previously conducted this work on the FSA’s behalf.

Testing Raw & Retail Milk

19:21 | 04/03/2012

View times : 10,112   Observations : 0

Standard Plate Count Milk and dairy products are generally very rich in nutrients which provide an ideal growth environment for many microorganisms. Therefore, all milk samples are carefully maintained with a temperature of 0.0º to 4.4ºC from collection until the samples arrive in our laboratory within 48hrs from the time of collection. The standard plate count (SPC) method is the first test performed on a milk sample after it arrives in our laboratory. This test is used to evaluate the general sanitation of the dairyman’s equipment and the overall health of his herd. This method is one of the procedures used throughout the dairy and regulatory enforcement agencies for the determination of quality and the detection of microbial contamination for raw and retail (processed) milk. For a raw milk sample the total bacterial count must be less than or equal to 100,000/ml. For a retail product the total count must be less than or equal to 20,000/ml or gram. For frozen desserts the total bacterial count must be 50,000/gram or less.

Schmallenberg Spreads Relentlessly Across Europe

21:19 | 21/02/2012

View times : 9,530   Observations : 0

EU - Over the last few months Schmallenberg has spread to seven EU countries, affecting more than 1000 animals. This week Italy and Luxembourg report their first cases. Charlotte Johnston, TheCattleSite editor gives an overview of the virus to date, but keep in mind more and more cases are being reported every day so the number of animals affected will change.

More Flexible Use of Bluetongue Vaccines

19:02 | 15/02/2012

View times : 9,121   Observations : 0

US - Rules to enable new bluetongue vaccines to be used more efficiently, and thus make farmers' lives easier, were approved by the Parliament on Tuesday. If Member States put these rules into effect quickly, then the new vaccines could be used for the 2012 vaccination campaign.

Consider M. bovis in Cattle Pneumonia

20:05 | 08/02/2012

View times : 10,137   Observations : 0

UK - Mycoplasma bovis (M.bovis) is identified in about 25 per cent of cattle pneumonia diagnoses, yet remains significantly under-recognised by cattle vets and farmers alike, according to Pfizer Animal Health vet Carolyn Hogan.

Reducing Greenhouse Gases From Cattle

18:44 | 08/02/2012

View times : 9,475   Observations : 0

DENMARK - The emission of greenhouse gases from agriculture makes a substantial contribution to global warming. In a new report from Aarhus University scientists are focusing on the different options available for reducing the emission of particularly methane from cattle farming.

Production Costs Undermine Milk Price Recovery

19:20 | 03/02/2012

View times : 9,154   Observations : 0

SPAIN - Despite the slight recovery in prices, production costs undermine the profitability of dairy farms in Spain.

Livestock, not Gazelles, Drive FMD Outbreaks

18:25 | 01/02/2012

View times : 9,156   Observations : 0

ASIA - Wildlife health experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society have published evidence which supports the conclusion that Mongolian gazelles—one of the most populous large land mammals on the planet—are not a reservoir of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a in Asia.

Daily Dose of Enriched Milk can Help Deal With Gout

17:45 | 31/01/2012

View times : 9,215   Observations : 0

GLOBAL - A study supported by Fonterra and published this week in the British Medical Journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases has shown that a daily dose of skimmed milk, enriched with two value add ingredients naturally found in dairy products, may reduce the frequency and intensity of gout flares.