Our Cattle

Frith Manor Farm is in an area of the UK with a very low incidence of TB and consequently the testing regime is four-yearly.

It was decided straight away to pursue a whole herd health status, largely for our own peace of mind and satisfaction; the fold was clear of all four main nasties (BVD, Lepto, Johnes and IBR).  Herdcare are the scheme administrator and the policy is pursued in close collaboration with our Vet, Matt Dobbs at Westpoint Group.

However, pursuing the health status accreditation is both expensive and practically restrictive, illustrated by the need for isolation pens and paddocks, one and twenty eight day repetitive testing, exposure to disease by showing and by extensive grazing, as well as the perils of buying in stock from auction (and the long journey to Sussex from Oban via commercial transport).

It is important to remember that health status is exactly that; a report on the status of an animal's or fold's health at a point in time; it is not a vaccination, immunity or warranty against disease.  In an extensively grazed fold, the beasts will encounter Lepto via the water courses, sheep, deer and other mammals.  In a show environment, all stock is likely to encounter one or more of the main illnesses through exposure to other livestock - either in transit, in the sheds, at the washing points, at the show rings or during the Grand Parade.

As our fold has grown (just under one hundred head at the end of 2006) so the Frith health policy has had to be adapted to suit our business.  This is done in conjunction with and on the advie of our Vet.  Currently, the entire breeding fold (with followers) is tested annually for BVD, IBR and Johnes; it is now vaccinated against Lepto (but since there is no marker vaccine available for Lepto, technically this results in the loss of accreditation for Lepto).  The show team only are additionally vaccinated against BVD (with a marker vaccine) so that they have assured health during their travels.

Accordingly we currently feel that this compromise ensures our animals are healthy and suitably protected.  We can of course individually test animals should that be required subject to the caveat in relation to Lepto.

Maintaining a health policy and consequential health status for a fold is difficult for an actively trading commercial business, as well as being an expensive process.  However it is one which, at Frith, we believe underlines our commitment to best practive in all that we do.