Abortions of lambs can take an emotional, as well as a financial, toll on farming clients. Here, the author focuses on common causes, diagnosis and the valuable advice farm vets can provide ahead of the main lambing period.

Emma Fishbourne considers the sustainability benefits of this practice and how veterinarians can convey its advantages to clients.

Emma Fishbourne BSc(Hons), BVSc, DBR, PhD, FHEA, MRCVS recalls her experiences with this pattern of breeding, and working with clients to move from all year round.

George Lindley, Hannah Fitzsimmonds and Stephanie Prior look at understanding these minerals – as well as how to diagnose, treat and prevent deficiencies – in cattle health.

This article draws attention to Q fever, which is a cause of reproductive diseases in cattle and small ruminants. It is a zoonosis, yet sorely lacks the necessary national recognition to successfully eradicate it.

Emma Fishbourne discusses how vets can help their clients to identify and tackle factors that affect fertility, and ensure that any oestrus synchronisation programme selected is suited to the cattle on that farm.

Sam Bowker explains how vets, when working closely with nutritionists and other advisors, can provide farmers with the best advice at a key time for dairy cows.

Emma Fishbourne discusses the importance of getting the right balance of these in livestock and the veterinary surgeon’s role in this.

Graham Duncanson covers issues regarding breeding, gestation and parturition as part of a series on suids.

Phil Elkins looks at monitoring, measurement and management of cows during this period.

Tim Potter explains the importance of trace elements bovine and ovine health.

Phil Elkins discusses the management of non-cycler cows and cystic ovarian disease once the issues have occurred.

Jonathan Hobbs discusses the various areas where veterinary surgeons can help these clients and be a good investment

With three-quarters of dairy cow diseases occurring in the month immediately postpartum, it is vital cows get balanced nutrition, says Jonathan Hobbs.

In the second of a two-part series on Q fever – brought to you courtesy of Ceva Animal Health – we discuss management options with vet Helen Scott and Kythe Mackenzie, ruminant vet adviser for Ceva Animal health.

Two-part series of podcasts – brought to you courtesy of Ceva Animal Health – looks at Q fever, a zoonotic disease that is relatively little known.

Paddy Gordon discusses how to effectively prevent disease through good management, housing and nutrition.

Jenny Hull describes approaches to calculating the internal pelvic area of a cow to determine its potential for breeding.

Jenny Hull, following part one of her article, discusses the benefits and stages of fertility testing male sheep.

Jenny Hull looks at how to ensure rams are at optimal level for breeding, in the first of a two-part article on ram preperation and fertility testing.