William T. Kellett

Two leading livestock vets are urging farmers to vaccinate their livestock this winter for clostridial diseases, as more animals are outwintered and vaccine boosters missed. Vets Joe Henry of Black Sheep Farm Health and Fiona Lovatt of Flock Health Ltd. have said that as sheep and cattle are grazed for longer periods, and on crops such as fodder beet and swedes, the risk of clostridial diseases may be increased. This is due to exposure to the soil where clostridial spores are often present.

The Down to Earth regenerative farming events for livestock producers is back with two events this year, following what the Royal Association Of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has called “unprecedented demand” from the inaugural event held in summer 2022. This year, high input, high output dairy farm in Somerset and an organic and certified pasture-fed dairy farm in Cumbria will host the Down to Earth events in summer 2023.