September 1, 2021 Sales WVF

September News

Summary

Announcements
Canine Enrichment
Parvovirus: Are your canine companions covered?
Shar Pei 101
What’s New?
Which Horse Bedding?
Golden Years: The Senior Horse Diet
September Gardening Calendar
Pre-tupping- We’ve got you covered!
Tupping Equipment

Announcements

We want to hear from you!

Want to see your four legged friend on the front cover? We would love to see your animal photos! If you have a picture that you think may be suitable, please send your photo and brief description to sales@wellandvalleyfeeds.co.uk.

Is there anything that you want to learn more about or see featured in our magazine? We would love to hear your ideas. Drop us an email to the above email address titled ‘Newsletter Idea’ to be in with the chance of having your subject idea published.

A big thank you!

We would also like to take the opportunity to thank you for your continued support. Shopping local has a massive impact on keeping local independent businesses like ourselves open, so that we can be here for you when you need us!

When shopping with us in store, you not only get expert advice from our knowledgeable team, but also our super friendly customer service, which is something we take pride in.

If your goods are too heavy to carry, we are always happy to take them to the car for you, or you can take advantage of our local delivery service. We always aim to have our customers leaving the store satisfied, which puts a smile on our faces too!

Whether it’s pet food, horse feed, agricultural supplies or even something for the garden, when you come to see us you have the chance to browse our vast range of products in store. And don’t forget! If there’s something that we don’t have, we are more than happy to order it in for you.

There’s lots of ways to shop with us, if you are in a hurry or you are a midnight browser, take advantage of our click & collect or click and deliver service. If you want to speak to someone you can give our friendly office team a call and place your order over the phone.

Canine Enrichment

What is canine enrichment?

Enrichment is often talked about and promoted as a fantastic experience for puppies and adult dogs alike, but what exactly is it?

In simple terms, enrichment is the act of adding interesting things to our dog’s environment to promote curiosity and engagement in natural behaviours. It challenges their brain, enhances problem solving abilities and teaches them new skills.

Often our dogs are given the same routine day in day out, consisting of sleeping, walking the same routes, and eating the same food out of a bowl. This can become really boring for our dogs who are natural adventurers as well as scavengers and hunters.

Providing our dogs with mental stimulation and outlets for their natural behaviours will help to prevent them from going “self-employed” and finding their own amusement through boredom, which are often things we’d rather they didn’t do like digging in the garden or chewing the sofa!

Enrichment comes in many forms!

The first is food-based enrichment, including stuffed Kongs, treat balls, lickimats and things we can make around the house, like rolled towels with food inside or food scattered in cardboard boxes filled with shredded paper.

There is also sensory enrichment, where your dog gets to explore using their different senses – smells of novel objects, taste of

different foods, different surfaces, sounds and sights. Taking a drive with your dog to a new place and just watching the world go by can be a great enrichment activity!

Social enrichment, such as engaging with you in play and interacting with other people and animals, is also important. Puppies especially should be socialised with everything they are going to encounter throughout life, the critical period for this is before 12 weeks of age, but remember socialisation isn’t just about chucking them in at the deep end – sitting and watching things from a distance is also key if you want a dog who can relax around others instead of constantly wanting to play.

Next up is physical enrichment, such as exploring, climbing, crawling and digging. Encouraging your dog to engage with the environment boosts their confidence, so next time you come across a tree stump or low wall, see if your dog will happily jump onto it! Sniffari walks are perfect for physical enrichment, this is where you let your dog decide what route to take and let them sniff to their hearts content – no matter how long it takes! Usually done on a harness and long line or off lead to allow freedom of movement, sniffari walks are a great way to exercise your dog’s mind for free!

We’ve also got toy-based enrichment, including games with you like tug of war. Make sure to let your dog win occasionally, after all nobody wants to play a game they always lose at! A flirt pole is great for dogs that love to chase, and retrieve articles are great for those dogs who love to parade around with objects.

Finally, there is cognitive enrichment, this can include puzzle games, clicker training, brain games as well as training games like hide and seek. If your dog has never used a puzzle toy before, start out with something easy like the Animal Instincts Food Maze Bowl to introduce them to the idea of working for a reward.

So now you know about all the different possibilities, go ahead and make your dog’s life more enriching. I challenge you to do one enrichment activity a day for a whole week and then let me know how you get on. The difference in your dog might surprise you!

Jo Cramp

JC Dog Behaviour & Training

Paw Slow Feeder Activity Bowl £9.95

Green

Blue

Orange

Paw 2in1 Slow Feeder & Lick Pad £12.95

Green

Blue

Orange

Kong Bamboo Feeder

Ball Medium £10.50

Dumbell Medium £10.50

Kong Stuff ‘n’ Paste Liver £7.69

Kong Quest Bone Large £9.45

Parvovirus: Are your canine companions covered?

What is Parvovirus?

Parvovirus is a highly infectious disease that can in some cases be fatal. The virus attacks the cells in a dog’s intestines and stops them from being able to absorb nutrients, this means that they can become very weak and dehydrated very quickly.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include

Bloody diarrhoea which has a foul smell
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Collapse
Depression
Fever

Young puppies and unvaccinated dogs are at the highest risk from parvovirus. Therefore, it’s important to keep on top of your dogs’ vaccinations, as a vaccination lapse can also put your dog and a higher risk.

Because of the symptoms it causes, puppies and young dogs can go downhill very quickly. Because they are young their immune systems will have to work incredibly hard to fight off the disease.

Because Parvovirus is highly contagious, outbreaks are most seen in towns and cities with a high population of unvaccinated dogs, and we are currently seeing high cases in this area. It can take up to seven days for symptoms to show after the virus has been contracted!

As the virus is spread through bodily fluids (such as diarrhoea and vomit) it can be contracted by your dog being in the same environment that an infected dog has been in (in parks etc) so it’s especially important to be careful when out walking if you have a young or un-vaccinated dog.

VACCINATION IS KEY!

Dogs and puppies can be vaccinated against the disease from the age of six weeks. They will then need a second vaccine two weeks later. After then a booster will be needed when they are a year old. Its then advised for adult dogs to receive a booster yearly (or as frequently as the vet recommends).

There are currently no drugs that treat the virus, instead the vet will give treatment designed to support the dog’s immune system so that it is better able to fight of the virus themselves.

If you think your dog may have parvovirus, you should call your vet straight away.

Shar Pei 101

The Chinese Shar Pei is not a breed that comes through our doors as regularly as others, but since one of our team is mad about them, she’s cajoled us into choosing them for our breed 101 this month!

The Shar Pei is a very ancient breed, originating in China. Quite how far back their history stretches is unknown, but there are statues that have a strong resemblance to the breed that date back to the time of the Hang Dynasty in China, over 2,000 years ago.

Traditionally kept as a watch dog and property guardian. If legend is to be believed, it was their job to guard palace doors and would also sit and guard at the foot of the emperor’s bed.

Shar Pei’s today are still fiercely loyal and will often be seen watching over and guarding their family homes, a tribute to their ancestry.

They are intelligent and easy to train, they like to be clean so are especially easy to house train. They tend to be independent thinkers, strong-willed and stubborn so it can take an experienced owner to get the best out of them.

This breed benefits from being socialised from a young age as they can be suspicious of strangers, but once their confidence grows, they are incredibly friendly and loving dogs. They are calm and often described as ‘aloof’!

The Shar Pei doesn’t usually require heaps of exercise and are satisfied with regular short walks so suit owners who don’t enjoy long hikes and being outdoors all the time.

Recognised for their excessive wrinkles, the word Shar Pei means ‘sand skin’, earning this name because their traditional coats were very coarse and prickly.

There are now three types of coats in this breed, the horse coat, brush coat and bear coat.

They will usually either be a ‘bone’ mouth; this variation in the breed tends to be less wrinkled with a smaller snout. Or they are a ‘meat’ mouth; these Shar Pei are heavily wrinkled with a big soft snout and floppy chops. They usually have a blue/black tongue.

The Shar Pei have a gene that causes them to overproduce hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid), this is what creates their wonderfully wrinkled skin! Unfortunately, this attribute also means that they tend to be prone to skin problems and inflammation. This is easily managed with a good diet and regular grooming.

This breed tends to thrive on a grain free diet, as do many dogs that are prone to skin problems and fortunately, here at Welland Valley Feeds, we have plenty of grain free option dog foods! A skin supplement such as salmon oil can be a beneficial addition to help keep those wrinkles the best they can be, and this supplement has an added bonus of being good for a dog’s joints too!

All in all the Shar Pei are a quirky, often misunderstood and loving breed that become irreplaceable member of the family unit.

The Chinese Shar Pei boasts being one of the most ancient breeds on the planet and were originally bred to hunt, guard and herd in their native Country. Well-socialised Shar Pei are devoted to their families.

Is there a breed that you would like to see us do a 101 on in future magazines? Get in touch!

Beaphar salmon oil 430ml £7.99

What’s New?

Dog’skin Solution 200ml £14.99

A blend of herbal extracts to support skin health and soothe itchy skin.
Instantly Soothes & Cools - For itchy irritated areas of skin, paws, external ears and hot spots. Natural herbal formula with aloe vera to aid skin health & repair.
Boosts the skin's immune system, with Echinacea. Suitable for use in Cats and Dogs.

Dog’skin Shampoo 300ml £8.99

Dog'Skin Shampoo is designed to ensure maximum compliance. Its quick lather, easy rinse formula is ideal for bathtime and is gentle enough to be used as frequently as desired.
Effective deodorising, microflora balancing, moisturising & conditioning with a pet friendly fragrance.

Dog’skin Supplement 75g £9.99

150g £16.99

A blend of omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids, skin nutrients and antioxidants provide complete skin and coat support at the same time as aiding immunity and digestive health.
Helping your dog's skin to return to a natural healthy itch-free state, Dog’skin replenishes the skin barrier with optimum levels of omega oils and sea algae extract to help the skin to defend against environmental allergens and pathogens.

Dog’skin nourishes the skin, coat and nails. A spectrum of vitamins and minerals support healthy hair, skin and nail growth and repair.

Dog'Skin provides natural antioxidant defence to neutralise the toxins associated with allergies. Digestive support helps the gut's immune response and is balanced by plant extracts and nutrients.

Pet’skin Balm 80g £9.99

A blend of botanical extracts and ceramide precursers deeply hydrate the skin, maintain skin barrier integrity & support microbial balance for natural skin protection.
With deep hydration, skin barrier support, long-lasting protection and microbial balance, the gentle natural formula supports the skin's delicate microbial balance promoting naturally healthy skin.

Senior Catcare Powder 60g £19.99

A unique blend of ingredients which effectively support stiff joints and maintain healthy kidneys and an alert mind.
Kidney Support - Packed with ingredients such as Potassium Chloride and Omega 3 to support kidney and urinary health.
Calcium carbonate binds excess phosphate in the gut and the essential amino acid Taurine and Vitamin B12 are included for appetite support and healthy muscle mass.
Eases stiff joints - Senior CatCare contains targeted nutrients such as Glucosamine and MSM to combat joint stiffness in old age whilst Omega 3 EFAs support the body's anti-inflammatory processes.
Anti-Ageing - Ginseng promotes longevity whilst key vitamins and antioxidants such as Vitamin E neutralise the toxins associated with ageing and inflammation.

Cat’skin Supplement 60g £31.99

A blend of omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids, skin nutrients and antioxidants provide complete skin and coat support at the same time as aiding immunity and digestive health. Helping your cat's skin to return to a natural healthy itch-free state.
Replenish the skin barrier, nourish the skin, coat and nails, antioxidant defence & digestive support.

Uri Cat Care 30 Capsules £9.99

A unique blend of ingredients to provide feline bladder health support. Focused on urinary health, N-Acetyl- D-Glucosamine provides the building blocks to help replenish the urinary tract's delicate GAG layer after periods of inflammation and irritation.
Helping stress relief, L-tryptophan naturally boosts levels of the feel good chemical, serotonin, which has been shown to relieve stress in cats and improve signs of stress behaviours such as territorial marking.
UriCatCare is palatability tested to ensure minimal stress when introducing it to the diet.
Anti-inflammatory support, omega 3 and Vitamin E support the body's natural anti-inflammatory response to calm sensitive bladders.

Natural VetCare's Dog'Skin and Cat'Skin are available for all itchy pets that want to feel good.

“Each ingredient is chosen for its purity and efficacy. If there isn’t good evidence to support its use, we won't use it. And we regularly invest in clinical trials to ensure our products are the best they can possibly be.”- NAF

Which Horse Bedding?

Horse bedding can be a minefield, with so many different brands to choose from and each having different benefits, which is the best one for you and your horse? Don’t worry, in this article we will look at some different bedding types and what they are best for. Firstly, you should ask yourself some questions- Do you want to deep litter? Does your horse have any dust allergies? Do you need an easily compostable bedding? Does your horse eat its bedding? How wet is your horse? All these should be taken into consideration before you decide which bedding to use. Let’s take a look at some of the ones we stock in store-

Wood Shavings

A popular alternative to straw but has a huge variation in quality. Ensure you only purchase products that are produced for animal bedding as the quality, particularly in relation to dust content is variable. Takes longer to rot down and you need to remove droppings and ensure the bedding doesn’t become too wet causing a build-up of ammonia.

Bedmax £8.25

Bedmax shavings offer you a 100% natural horse bedding developed and made specifically to help you keep your horse healthy, happy, and comfortable in the stable.
Bedmax is triple dust extracted during manufacture, it manages moisture, provides support for hooves, and cushions hocks and joints.
Its great value, one bag goes a long way and it’s easy to use.
Bedmax is manufactured from fresh timber (mostly Scots Pine which has a nice scent) in large flakes. This contributes to controlled drying and minimises dust.

Littlemax £8.25

Littlemax fine shavings has all the dust free, hygienic, natural pine benefits of Bedmax, but in a lighter, finer form.
Owners who trialled Littlemax have reported that it performs exactly as they had hoped.
Like Bedmax, it addresses all the health and welfare issues of keeping your horse in the stable, and for owners it has proved extremely easy and time-saving to use and maintain.

Pureflake Shavings £7.95

Pure Flake Premium animal bedding made from traditional white wood shavings.
These shavings are soft and absorbent and have been dust extracted and are very clean.
Pureflake has an excellent spread, and one bale goes a long way. It’s super absorbent, meaning that the top layer stays mostly dry whilst the bottom layer absorbs the bulk of the urine.
It’s very easily mucked out with a shavings fork, or hands and bucket- with gloves of course!
Pureflake makes a nice big fluffy bed and is ideal for laminitics that need added foot support at times of laminitic challenges.
It is also a good choice if you choose to deep litter, because it is so absorbent it makes a solid base and clean shavings can be added to keep the horse off the ‘wet’ part of the bed.

Wood Pellets

These provide an eco-friendly product which composts more quickly than straw or shavings but it can be slippery when it is in pellet form. You need to add water to the pellet to fluff them up and make them absorbent when putting the bedding down.

Snowflake Wood Pellets £6.75

Snowflake Premium equine wood pellets are made from UK sourced 100% virgin softwood.
The wood is compressed to form a pellet using only lignin which is naturally found in the wood to bind them.

Wood pellets make a lovely, warm fluffy bed that is very absorbent, being able to soak up to 3 times their volume in water, locking in odours too. Mucking out the wood pellet bedding is a pleasure, as the pellets form a fine ‘sand like’ consistency once soaked, you can muck out easily with very little waste making them very economical. The pellets are fully biodegradable and rot down quickly on the muck heap into a rich compost. The clean, green, economical, and easy to use alternative to traditional wood based equestrian bedding.

Straw

Straw £3.25 per bale

Being the most traditional, straw is the cheapest bedding material and can make a nice deep, fluffy bed with high banks.

Although a straw bed is not very absorbent, when accompanied by shavings or wood pellets to form a base, it makes for an easy mucking out experience and can be ideal for deep littering too.

As straw is a natural material ‘off the fields’ it can sometimes become dusty or mouldy in the bale so would not be suitable for horses with a dust sensitivity or allergy.

As it can also be quite palatable, and some horses can enjoy munching on a straw bed. For many horses, straw makes a very comfortable, deep, and warm bed, perfect for the winter months.

Chopped Straw

Dust is extracted, and it is treated to be non-palatable to your horse. Bales are clean, easy to handle/store. Because it is not as bulky as straw, it produces a smaller muck heap. It is more expensive than straw.

Nedzbed Original £7.49

Nedzbed Pro Bale £7.75

Nedzbed Original is made from wheat straw, is easy to muck out, and can rival some shavings in absorbency ratings.
It is bitter tasting so will discourage ‘bed eaters’.
It offers a cosy, comfortable bedding for your horse and is ideal for horses suffering from respiratory and skin problems as its hygienic, virtually dust free and creates a non-toxic stable environment.
Nedzbed Pro is made from rape straw and offers the same benefits of Nedzbed pro but with even more absorbency power.

Terravesta Miscanthus Bedding £9.25

Miscanthus bedding is made from elephant grass.
Planted once, Miscanthus is a perennial crop which stores more carbon that it releases in its 20 year + lifecycle.
Miscanthus bedding is dust extracted, ultra-absorbent, and super sustainable.
It’s also odour free and naturally un-palatable for horses, meaning your horse or pony won’t be munching on his bedding overnight! It’s also bio-degrades very quickly making it ideal for composting.

Did you know that Elephant grass is carbon negative and can be used instead of fossil fuels?

Aubiose £9.95

Aubiose is a completely different type of bedding and should provide you with savings in time and labour if it is managed properly.
The bedding works by soaking up liquids in a small area, at the base of the bed.
The capped layer that forms over this saturated material reduces the chance of wet bedding being mixed in with the dry.
The top layer of the bed remains warm, soft and dry for the horse.
Waste management is high on the list of priorities to protect our environment and Aubiose contributes greatly to the environment as it completes its own 'life cycle loop' naturally.

Aubiose is a 100% natural material, which composts readily without the need for added composting agents. For this reason farmers and gardeners love it. Furthermore, Aubiose is an annually renewable resource, which can be traced back to the field in which it was grown!

Misc

A mixture of various printed materials. A cheaper option but you might need a large number of bales to make a thick enough bed for your horse. It is good for horses with allergies.

Easibed £7.75

Easibed is a break-through in horse bedding. It is dust fee and supportive properties have made it a favourite with horses and their owners alike for more than 15 years.
Made from clean, recycled wood, Easibed provides a comfortable, free-draining and economical bed for your horse to live on, and a dust free, healthy environment for you to work in.
As Easibed is a drainage bedding, it leaves the top layer dry and comfortable for the horse.
Because of this it also means you use less bedding than an absorbent type, which means less waste!

Megazorb £8.20

Megazorb is a highly absorbent bedding made from biodegradable virgin wood pulp fibre, a by-product of the British papermaking industry, making it good for the earth too!
It’s comfortable and insulated, has minimum upkeep and its less bedding to physically handle and dispose of.
Because of its dust free properties, its ideal for horses with respiratory problems and its super absorbency minimises stable odours.

Bedkind £7.50

BedKind is made from new, premium, dust-extracted cardboard. That means that your horses live and sleep in an environment which is virtually free from the dust that aggravates respiratory disease, whilst staying warm and dry at night too.
The dust-extracted bedding helps to reduce the risk of horses developing respiratory problems, and is beneficial to horses that already suffer from Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
BedKind is made from 2cm squares of clean, corrugated cardboard, a material that’s noticeably less dusty than straw or wood shavings.

Corrugated cardboard is excellent at regulating heat. In the winter it retains heat, so you can be assured that your animals are comfortable and fully rested on even the coldest nights. Come summer, BedKind allows for easy ventilation and keeps animals cool. This cardboard bedding is 100% compostable so it’s a perfect way to be kind to both your horse and the environment.

Golden Years: The Senior Horse Diet

The older horse now accounts for about 30% of the equine population. According to an article in Equestrian Trade News July/August 2021, around 11% of these veterans are aged between 20 – 30 and 2% are over 30 years old.

Whilst you may no longer need to get your horse in tip top condition for any shows or competitions, it remains important to keep your horse healthy in their old age. A key aspect for a healthy horse is to ensure they are getting a good diet. Nutrition is fundamental for their weight management, body condition, digestive health, and joints as well as playing a role in maintaining strong immune function and brain health. In addition, the older horse can have dentition problems which leads to them being unable to eat certain foods and they may also become fussy eaters.

Whatever your circumstances there is likely to be a product available to help you.

Welland Valley Feeds staff have specialist training from feed companies to help us to help you with your equestrian dietary requirements so please don’t hesitate to come and talk to us about your horse’s needs.

Dodson & Horrell Senior Support Balancer 15kg £28.25

A high specification balancer formulated for the older horse.
Fully balanced feed including chelated minerals for optimal absorption and activity in the body.
Includes specific supplements for the more senior horse or those requiring joint support.
Joint Care – a combination of MSM and glucosamine supporting mobility and function.
QLC Antioxidants – Natural plant-based antioxidants supporting antioxidant capacity.
Herbal Health Care - Turmeric for additional support of the musculoskeletal system, with cracked black pepper to aid absorption. Turmeric also helps to maintain healthy digestion, as well as supporting healthy skin and good coat condition.
Biotin, zinc and methionine to support hoof health.
Actisaf protected yeast to support a healthy hindgut environment, fibre fermentation and nutrient uptake.

Dodson & Horrell Cushcare Condition 18kg £17.95

A unique coarse crumble supporting weight gain and condition for those requiring a lower starch diet.
Provides conditioning calories in a low starch, low sugar format that is suitable for horses prone to laminitis.
Contains essential amino acids to support muscle maintenance.
Added B vitamins and carnitine.
QLC Antioxidant package supporting the body’s natural antioxidant capacity and the ability to ‘mop up’ excess free radicals that may be associated with ageing.
Contains live Actisaf yeast (probiotic) along with FOS.

Allen & Page Veteran Light 20kg £13.25

Treat your old friend to a delicious and healthy feed made especially for them.
The perfect meal for the slightly older generation of ponies and horses.
A fantastic fibre-some feed that will provide your horse with all the nutritional requirements required for optimum health and wellbeing.
Low in starch and sugar with a healthy pre and probiotic blend, this feed is kinder to horses that may be suffering from digestive issues whilst also controlling glucose levels, helping them to remain healthy and happy.
It is also low in calories, ideal for good doers.
Additionally, Linseed has been added to give your horse a healthy boost of Omega 3, giving a beautifully shiny coat and healthy skin.

Ingredients: Nutritionally improved grass, wheat feed, Linseed 8%, beans, unmolassed sugar beet pulp, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, mint, salt, yeast, seaweed, nettle, fenugreek, dandelion, garlic cloves, fructo-oligosaccharides.

Spillers Senior Super Mash 20kg £12.95

Fast soaking fibre blend, ideal for all senior horses, ponies, especially those with poor teeth.
High in digestible fibre includes live yeast, FOS MOS to help maintain digestive health condition.
Whole cereal molasses free, low sugar starch recipe suitable for those prone to laminitis.
Contains quality protein to help maintain muscle tone topline.
Benefits from an appetising apple aroma released during soaking, to aid palatability.
With a full range of vitamins minerals including vitamins E C to support immune health.
Can be used in addition to other feeds, on its own or as a total hay replacer.

Allen & Page Veteran Vitality 20kg £12.75

Designed for older horses and ponies at rest or in light to medium work.
Aids stiff joints.
Easy to chew.
Highly palatable.
Helps with weight management.

Ingredients: Unmolassed Beet Pulp, Wheat Feed, Nutritionally Improved Straw, Beans, Linseed Expeller, Grass Meal, Full Fat Soya, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Mint, Expelled Soya Oil, Yeast, Nettle, Dandelion, Garlic, Fenugreek, Di-calcium Phosphate, Cloves, Fructo-oligosaccharides.

September Gardening Calendar

September is usually when we start to feel the summer drawing to a close, the days become cooler and we start to think about knuckling down a bit for autumn. We are normally lucky enough to still have some pleasant weather, so gardening at this point is still an enjoyable experience… usually!

Manage your veggie plot

Dig up any remaining potatoes – before the slugs get them!

Maintenance

General maintenance on your cold frames and greenhouses – don’t leave it until the whether turns to fix them, you’ll thank us later!

Bulbs

Now is the time to start thinking about planting your spring flowering bulbs such as your daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths.

Get planting!

Sow the seeds from your perennials and hardy annuals – hopefully you collected these last month, but if not, it isn’t too late to get collecting what is still left.

Plant care

Bring any tender perennials inside - as it gets colder towards the end of the month, especially at night these plants are at risk of not doing so well. Protecting them by bringing them indoors will ensure they have another prosperous summer next year.

Lawn care

Mowing the lawn- you can probably start to reduce how often you are mowing your lawn this month. You could also think about raising the cut height as this will prevent water damage when the wet weather sets in.

Pond management

Net your ponds before the leaves start falling.

Pest control

Check any plants you are planning to bring indoors for pests and diseases and treat them before you do bring them in – this will help to prevent it spreading to other plants.

Burgon & Ball Oak Leaf Glove Moss £15.99

Burgon & Ball Planting Ruler £9.95

Vitax Py Powder 175g £4.99

Fruit Or Pond Netting 8m X 2m £13.99

Deluxe Boot Scraper 32cmx36cm £11.99

Wilkinson Sword Hand Trowel: £9.98

Wilkinson Sword Hand Fork £9.99

Rain Gauge 0-50mm £6.99

Pre-tupping- We’ve got you covered!

It’s that time of year again, and tupping season is upon us! Is your flock up to scratch?

Body Condition Scoring

Condition scoring sheep is an easy way of estimating the condition of your sheep. During the condition scoring, you can assess the amount of muscle and fat covering the backbone and short ribs of the sheep. This gives an estimate on the animal’s store of energy too.

How to condition score

The animal should be standing in a relaxed position (preferably not in a crush) so that it can be scored more accurately. You should place your hand on the animal’s backbone and short ribs (in the loin area). The fat coverage and tissue on the backbone and short ribs should be assessed as well as the fullness of the muscle in between.

No breeding ewes should score less than 2, and ewes that score between 2.5-3.5 will provide optimum production and profitability. Ewes that are too thin will have poor production, increased risk of mortality and poor reproduction rates. No growing sheep should score less than 2.

Lean ewes ovulate less eggs, which can mean they are likely to have less lambs. In contrast, although overweight ewes will ovulate more eggs, they have a greater risk of embryonic death. To provide your ewes with an extra boost, it’s a good idea for them to have access to a high energy lick in the pasture up to 4 weeks before tupping.

According to research, flushing, or the practice of feeding a diet high in protein and energy in the last few weeks before tupping, can result in higher scanning rates. However, flushing should not be seen as short-term fix and it will have little impact on ewes which are below BCS 2.0 and above BCS 4.0.

If you have a selection of underweight & overweight ewes, it might be an idea to temporarily separate them. This way you can have the underweight ewes on pasture with fresh growth to provide more condition, and the overweight ewes on restricted grazing to bring their weight down. Underweight ewes can also be fed sugar beet or stock mix to boost condition if required.

Your tups should also be in good condition, with a BCS of 2.5-3, free of any health issues and lameness to provide optimum fertility. A pre-tupping fluke and worm dose is also advised. The wet and warm conditions we’ve had recently will increase the risk of sheep becoming infected with liver fluke.

Condition Score 1

The backbone forms a sharp, narrow ridge. Each vertebrae can be easily felt as a one underneath the skin. There is only a very small eye muscle. The sheep will look quite thin. The ends of the short ribs will be very obvious. It’s easy to feel the square like shape at the ends.

Condition Score 2

The backbone forms a narrow ridge, but the points are rounded with muscle. It’s still easy to press between each bone but there is a reasonable eye muscle. The ends of the short ribs are rounded but it is easy to press between them. They are covered with flesh but it’s still easy to press under and between them.

Condition Score 3

The backbone vertebrae are only slightly elevated above a full eye muscle. It’s possible to feel each rounded bone, but you should be un-able to press between them. The short rib ends will be well-rounded and filled in with muscle. You should not be able to feel in-between the ribs.

Condition Score 4

It should be possible to feel most vertebrae of the backbone with pressure. The backbone will feel smooth with a slightly raised ridge, above a full eye muscle with the skin floating over it. It should be only possible to feel one or two of the short ribs, and only possible to press under them with pressure.

Condition Score 5

The spine will only be felt by pressing down firmly between the fat-covered eye muscles. A pad of fat may also present over the tail. The short ribs will be virtually impossible to feel under the ends. The triangle formed by the long ribs will be filled with muscle and fat.

NADIS- The National Animal Disease Information Service- was formed by livestock vets in 1995 to promote animal health and welfare through improved disease prevention, delivered by active veterinary health planning. NADIS is a parasite forecast and risk alert website for all UK Farms. In order to bring the most localised and relevant parasite forecast throughout the year, NADIS are moving to monthly forecasts and alerts on a subscription based service.

If you want to be kept up to date with the parasite forecast, we recommend signing up with NADIS for useful updates about the risk in your area.