Novatec Skills Centre Sandbox

Lameness is one of the big challenges for the modern dairy cow and farmer. With individual cases reported to cost in the region of  €250.00 per case.

Watch Tommy The Vet in collaboration with Novatec discuss lameness.

"One of my big lessons in veterinary was I needed to spend more time knowing what the normal healthy signals of ruminants were. I spent far too long focused on disease and sickness. What do healthy animals look like and want?"

Watch Tommy The Vet in collaboration with Novatec discuss calf signals.

Cattle and sheep lameness can be a real pain, for both animals and farmers. There are two types of lameness, in my opinion, mechanical and infectious. Mechanical lameness like white line disease, sole ulcers, etc is by far the most common in cows. With infectious lameness, particularly in sheep, being more common.

Watch Tommy The Vet in collaboration with Novatec discuss footbathing.

Subclinical Mastitis is where we get inflammation (usually infections) in the udder which is not visible. This is measured using SCC (somatic cell counts). This is a measurement of somatic cells (mostly inflammatory cells) in the udder of the cow.

Watch Tommy The Vet in collaboration with Novatec discuss SCC.

Colostrum is the foundation of good animal health on our farms. Few aspects of husbandry and management will see as many benefits as optimising this precious resource in our animals.

Watch Tommy The Vet in collaboration with Novatec discuss colostrum.

Cryptosporidium scours in calves is one disease over the last ten years that has been steadily increasing on farms. It can cause huge issues, farmer frustration and in some farms high mortality where colostrum management is below par.

Watch Tommy The Vet in collaboration with Novatec discuss getting to grips with cyptosporidium.

Calf diarrhea or scour can be caused by a range of pathogens. Diarrhea can occur when the ability of the gut to absorb fluids becomes compromised. This can lead to rapid fluid loss. This is why quick rehydration is essential in scour treatments.

Watch Tommy The Vet in collaboration with Novatec discuss calf diarrhoea and scour.

There are several key things that influence animal health and performance. Nutrition, herd health and the environment the animals are in.

Watch Tommy The Vet in collaboration with Novatec discuss five things to get right at housing.

Clinical Mastitis is an infection in the mammary gland which causes clinical symptoms. These symptoms are usually associated with bacterial infections occurring in the quarter. These infections and subsequent inflammation result in the clinical signs we see. These clinical signs can vary from quite a local swelling and milk changes to in extreme cases very sick cows with toxic mastitis.

Watch Tommy The Vet in collaboration with Novatec discuss clinical masitits.

Understanding the basics of biosecurity and the challenges we face implementing them in an on farm situation. Understanding how to choose and correctly use DEFRA approved disinfectants.

Understanding what diseases affect the hoof and how they affect the locomotion of the cow. The need for a whole farm approach is considered alongside footbathing routines and frequency.

Maximising calf health, introducing infectious scours and respiratory issues in calves. Outlining symptoms associated with these common issues, reviewing treatment and prevention. Reviewing calf key performance indicators on farm and how to achieve them and introducing MAXX Calf Health, it’s features and benefits and how it supports calf health on farm  

An introduction to the importance of minerals, vitamins and trace elements for ruminant animals. The course aims to outline the importance of these key elements for the health and production of ruminant animals. The essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements are considered individually as well as the effects of deficiency.

Additionally, the CPD course looks at undertaking a mineral audit on farm to ensure the correct mineral advice and products are recommended.

A detailed insight into colostrum management on cattle and sheep farms. Including a species specific summary of the Nettex Colostrum products and the benefits of using a Nettex Colostrum Supplement.

This course describes colostrum in detail. It gives an overview on the importance of IgG, the passive transfer of IgG, other ingredients in colostrum, the importance of collection and storage of colostrum with reference to bacterial impact on colostrum and the calf.

This course looks at the role of magnesium in ruminant diets, factors affecting magnesium availability and how to identify clinical and sub-clinical grass tetany. It gives insight into what signs to be aware of and best ways to prevent and treat grass tetany.

This course looks at the role of copper in ruminant diets, factors affecting copper availability and how to identify clinical and sub-clinical copper deficiency. It gives insight into what signs to be aware of and best ways to prevent and treat copper deficiency.

An introduction to the importance of minerals, vitamins and trace elements for ruminant animals. The course aims to outline the importance of these key elements for the health and production of ruminant animals. The essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements are considered individually as well as the effects of deficiency.

Additionally, the CPD course looks at undertaking a mineral audit on farm to ensure the correct mineral advice and products are recommended.