Cross Counties Farm Vets

21/10/2026

Farm Myth-busting - Case 2 👻

" Hot Rinse and the importance of a proper clean. "

Milk leaves behind a thin biofilm that's easy to miss with the naked eye, and it's the perfect environment for bacteria to build up in, particularly in the corners, teats, and joints of feeding equipment that a quick rinse doesn't always reach. Over time, that residue can quietly undo a lot of the good work going into colostrum and milk feeding. 🥛

A proper clean means hot water, a dedicated detergent (not just rinsing with water), a thorough scrub in the hard-to-reach spots, and time to fully dry between feeds. It sounds like extra effort, but it's a small addition to routine that pays off in fewer scour cases and better growth rates. 🧽🪣

If you're not sure whether your current routine is doing the job, ask us next time we're on farm; we're always happy to take a look and talk through what "clean enough" really looks like.

19/10/2026

Farm Myth-busting - Case 1 👻

" If the calf isn't coughing or off its milk, lung scanning is a waste of time. " 🐄

Lung scanning doesn't just confirm pneumonia is present, it shows us the extent and pattern of any lung damage, which tells us a lot about how a group has been affected and what might be driving it. A handful of calves with mild changes points somewhere very different to a shed with widespread scarring, and that distinction shapes the advice we give you. 🫁

It's also a valuable early warning system. Calves can be quietly carrying lung damage well before they show obvious signs of being unwell, and by the time symptoms are visible, the damage affecting future growth and performance has often already been done. Scanning lets us catch that earlier and act on it, rather than reacting after the event. 🦠

Think of it less as a diagnostic tool and more as a way of understanding your whole group and catching problems before they cost you in growth rates down the line. If you'd like to know more about how scanning could work for your setup, get in touch and we'll talk it through. 📉

16/10/2026

🐮 A triple bundle of joy! 🐮🐮🐮

A very special calving on one of our dairy farms, with a cow delivering THREE live Angus-cross calves! ❤️

Triplets are a rare occurrence in cattle, so three healthy little arrivals certainly make for an exciting day on farm!

A huge well done to the farmer for getting these three little ones off to the best possible start. ❤️

16/10/2026

Ready to take the next step in your dairy career? 🐄

Build the skills, confidence and connections to manage the modern dairy herd with the Dairy Management Academy. 🐮

Participants will cover everything from cow comfort, fertility and nutrition to dairy costings and leadership; building the confidence to make decisions, lead teams and drive herd performance. 📈

Delivered by and Farming, this 12-month programme combines classroom and on-farm training, online learning and a four-day European study tour, all designed to fit alongside your day-to-day role.

Starts January 2027 Hurry! Limited places remaining. Apply now and stand out from the herd! https://www.kingshay.com/training/dairy-management-academy/

15/10/2026

We teamed up with the Smallies team at BVG for a pumpkin carve-off! 🎃 👻

Comment on the BVG post to pick your winning team! 🗳️ 💫

13/10/2026

The Welford office will not be manned until 10am Wednesday 14th October (tomorrow). Medicine orders (not including fridge items) can be found in the collection box as normal.

For any urgent queries, please ring 01455 710935 to speak to a member of the team.

Apologies for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
The Cross Counties Team.

13/10/2026

We are getting into fluke months now! 🪱

Whilst weather plays an important role in overall disease risk, several other on-farm factors are also important and should be considered, specifically the use of high risk pastures (boggy, persistently wet) as grazing. Both sheep and cattle are susceptible to liver fluke, with acute disease more likely in sheep. The dry weather doesn't eliminate the risk, it just delays it. 🌦

Assess your risk: Do you have marshy, boggy, or other permanently wet areas of grazing on your land? Do you routinely monitor worm egg counts and/or weight-gain in your grazing lambs? 🌱

If you have any concerns, please speak to your vet or call the practice. You can check the NADIS fluke forecast for up to date risk in your area.

10/10/2026

This we want to remind everyone that asking for help is a sign of strength.

If you're struggling, support is available:
📞 Farming Community Network: 03000 111 999
📞 RABI: 0800 188 4444
📞 Samaritans: 116 123

01/10/2026

💚 Happy Vet Receptionist Day! 💚

Today is a chance to celebrate the wonderful people who keep our little farm vet team ticking along - Izzy, Hollie and Lauren. 💫

Our support team are often the first friendly voice our clients hear — taking calls, listening to what’s going on, juggling appointments and emergencies, and somehow keeping the vets organised when the day has other plans! 🐄🐑🚜

In a small team, everyone plays such an important part, and we genuinely couldn’t do what we do without the care, patience and hard work that goes on behind the scenes every single day.

Thank you for being such a valued part of our team — we’re very lucky to have you! 💚

Happy Vet Receptionist Day! 🥰📞

30/09/2026

Did anyone spot Mel’s article in the Farmer’s Guardian? A lot of hard work put into this project! 🐂

Farmers are being urged to consider breeding choices in order to reduce the need for caesarean sections at calving time and follow some simple steps to ensure a successful calving outcome