Penbode Farm Vets

02/06/2026

Penbode Farm Vets – June 2026 Newsletter

Our June 2026 edition is filled with valuable articles, updates, and upcoming events.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:
upcoming course
Meet Dan Clinical Director and Veterinary Surgeon
Penbode Farm Vets Summer Raffle
How to make your health plan work for your herd
Effective worm egg counting, strategic worming and wormer resistance testing.
Let your calving data work for you this summer
Don’t miss out on all the news and helpful resources.

Click the link to download the full newsletter.
https://www.penbodevets.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/06/June-2026-Penbode-Farm-Vets-Newsletter-.pdf

02/06/2026

01/06/2026

These are the last few dinner tickets remaining for our Penbode Farm Vets Charity Summer Ball !

It's not too late to join us for what is promised to be a fantastic night raising money for a great cause the The Farming Community Network

The night will start at 7pm with a drink on arrival 🥂

We'll then be seated for some dinner and a glass of wine to go with it 🍝🍷 we'll also hear a few words from Roly Nancekivell and all the fantastic work The FCN do.

Once we are fed and watered, Mark Bromell from Kivells Agriculture will lead the charity auction, where by we have had some fantastic lots donated including 1/2 a lamb, tickets for Cheltenham racecourse and a tonne bag of feed from Harpers Feeds .

There will be plenty of opportunity to buy your raffle tickets both before and during the event, plenty of prizes to be won including a £25 voucher for Ganache, tickets for Camelford Agricultural Show and Launceston Agricultural Show Cream tea voucher for River Life Cafe , Hexby Shorts, Exeter Racecourse tickets and much, much more.

Our after dinner guests will then join us and it'll be time to get your dancing shoes on and dance the night away with the fabulous Reckless Exeter (Official).

Before your carriages collect you, we will be bringing out some cheese and port for you to enjoy 😋🧀 Thank you to Mole Valley Farmers - Holsworthy , Saputo and Parkham Farms for sponsoring the cheese and port table.

The bar will be well stocked including beers from Holsworthy Ales and a choice of ciders from Sam's Cider. A massive thank you to Clawton Young Farmers who are helping us run the bar, proceeds from the bar will be split between Clawton YFC and The FCN.

Dinner tickets are £50pp and there are only a handful left. There are also after dinner tickets available, these are £20 a ticket.

If you'd like to book your tickets please call Jay on 01409 253418 or pop her an email, [email protected]

We'd like to say a thank you to all those who have generously donated prizes towards our Summer Ball or who have supported in other ways, we will be posting more about all our support over the next couple of weeks.

01/06/2026

MilkSure Course
Thursday 2nd July 2026
11:30 am – 2 pm

Is your MilkSure (Part 1) training due?
Why should you take this course?

Farmers will benefit by:
✓ having fewer costly milk residue failures
✓ using medicines more effectively and therefore more efficiently
✓ fulfilling Red Tractor antibiotic regulations
✓ demonstrating to consumers a clear commitment to producing pure, safe milk.

After this course, you and your staff will:
✓ feel more in control of safeguarding your milk production
✓ know the three main areas which are risky, and you will have the
necessary tools to avoid residue failures
✓ have fewer decisions to make
✓ have less doubt and better peace of mind.

Location – Our Bradworthy Branch

Call your branch or email [email protected] to book your seats (please let us know of any dietary requirements)

29/05/2026

Matilda has been working at Penbode Holsworthy branch for almost three years since graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2023. Since joining the team, she has developed some varied clinical interests.

What is your favourite type of visit?

My favourite visit to do would be a routine visit for our dairy clients. I really enjoy working with farmers over time to improve the health and productivity of the herd. Plus, the practical aspect of scanning and seeing the foetus and ovaries I find really satisfying.

What is your favourite surgical procedure to perform?

That would have to be a ewe caesarean. I really enjoy lambing, but in those instances where necessary performing a caesarean is a lifesaver. When you’re able to pull out healthy happy lambs and have them already trying to make their first steps whilst stitching up, is really rewarding.


What is your area of special interest?

I have a particular passion for pathology and diagnostic testing. When confronted with a more unusual or complex case I love to dive right in and try to figure out what is going on. In these situations, it is sometimes a case of making the best of a bad situation and I like to try my best to get as many answers as possible to work our way through a problem. I am also the main vet involved with the Smallholders Club which allows me to indulge my love of some of our less common species such as goats and pigs and work with our smallholder clients.

What are you looking forward to developing throughout this coming year?

I am looking forward to developing the Smallholders Club and doing my best to engage more and more people in our training days and talks. I really enjoy putting on talks and trying to put on events that are going to be as practical and beneficial as possible. Our Pre-lambing Ewe Nutrition talk with Forte Health, the Oral Fluids for Cattle talk and demo with Ni**od and our lambing course being particular highlights of this year already.

28/05/2026

Penbode Farm Vets
Taster Day

For those aged between 15 and 18

The day will include a mix of practical and theory sessions. It will give those interested in a career as a farm vet an insight into what it entails.

Thursday 23rd July 2026
at our Bradworthy Branch
10 am - 3 pm

There will be no charge for this event. However, places are very limited, we are therefore asking all those interested to apply for a space on the taster day by sending a letter of interest to [email protected].

Applications close on Friday, 30th May

27/05/2026

After dinner tickets are now available for our Penbode Farm Vets Charity Summer Ball!

Join us from 9pm on Saturday 20th June.

You'll be in time to join us for our charity auction, including lots such as tickets for Cheltenham races and 1/2 a lamb.

Followed by live music and plenty of dancing from Reckless Exeter (Official).

We'll finish the evening with some cheese and port, kindly donated by Saputo, Parkhams Farm LTD and Mole Valley Farmers - Holsworthy.

Licensed bar by Clawton Young Farmers, proceeds from the bar will be split both between Clawton YFC and The FCN.

This is set to be an absolutely fantastic night, raising funds for The Farming Community Network. Ticket sales are open to everyone.

(We do still have a few dinner tickets available too, if you'd like to join us for the whole evening).

For more information please contact Jay on 01409253418 or [email protected]

27/05/2026

We are looking for someone with strong organisational and communication skills, ideally with knowledge of the logistics required to deliver efficient testing across the practice and an understanding of the TB testing processes and paperwork. This full-time role will be based in our Holsworthy Farm Practice.

Responsibilities include:
• In conjunction with the Reception team, arrange and delegate TB tests to ATTs/OVs
• Trouble shoot TB related queries for the testing team
• Authorise time off / time in lieu for the ATT team
• In conjunction with the reception team, process the paperwork for completed TB tests
• Coordinate the signing off of ATT TB tests
• Help to guide any new ATTs/OVs through the training process
• Support the testing team in providing a high-quality service.
• Support the Clinical Directors in managing the ATT team.
• KPI failure investigation
• Practice SAM and TOM maintenance
• Managing TB equipment and supplies
• Assist with rota admin
• Pharmaceutical projects
• Farm projects
• Producing/organising reports (interherd etc…)
• Organisation of the delivery of Champion/ Supreme packages
• Diary management/training management
• Assist with practice standards and ensure compliance
• Assist the farm CDs and other senior staff with appropriate tasks

We offer an excellent package including pension, health scheme and training. Some knowledge around TB Testing would be beneficial, however full training will be given for this role. Salary will be determined on level of knowledge & experience.
CV’s & covering letter to be sent to [email protected] & [email protected] before 29th May 2026.

26/05/2026

As temperatures begin to heat up we must start to plan ahead for the fly season. The National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS) has released a Blowfly update that we have moved from low to medium Blowfly strike risk.

Blowfly strike is caused by mainly green bottle flies. Adult flies lay eggs on the coat or fleece of animals; particularly dirty back ends or rotting/infected areas such as footrot lesions. Within a day the eggs hatch out into larvae (maggots) which develop and feed on the skin and tissue of the animal. This causes significant damage and if severe enough or not treated promptly it can result in death or euthanasia on welfare grounds. From as little as 24 hours from the fly laying its eggs you can start to see damage. This just goes to show you how fast fly strike progresses and how important it is to check your stock closely at least once per day.

When it comes to strike prevention is absolutely better than cure. There are multiple products available, all vary slightly in how long they protect for and if they also protect against or treat other parasites such as lice and ticks. Common products such as CLiK work to prevent blowfly strike for up to 16 weeks, but does not protect against or treat lice and ticks. If you find maggots on your animals there are some products available that will treat the infestation itself. Speak to your vet at the time for advice on how best to tackle the problem.

Fly strike is less common in goats and cattle, but certainly not unheard of. It can still be worth while treating for flies.

Call your local branch to speak to a vet in more detail.

20/05/2026

We have one table of 10 left, this can be reserved as an entire table or individual tickets! 💃🕺

🐄 Penbode Farm Vets Charity Summer Ball 🐄

Saturday 20th June raising funds for The Farming Community Network.

Gather your friends and join us for what is set to be a fantastic night.

The night will start at 7pm with a drink on arrival 🥂

We'll then be seated for some dinner and a glass of wine to go with it 🍝🍷 we'll also hear a few words from Roly Nancekivell and all the fantastic work The FCN do.

Once we are fed and watered, Mark Bromell from Kivells Agriculture will lead the charity auction, where by we have had some fantastic lots donated including 1/2 a lamb, tickets for Cheltenham racecourse and a tonne bag of feed from Harpers Feeds.

There will be plenty of opportunity to buy your raffle tickets both before and during the event, plenty of prizes to be won including a £25 voucher for Ganache, Cream tea voucher for River Life Cafe, Hexby Shorts, Exeter racing tickets and much, much more.

Our after dinner guests will then join us and it'll be time to get your dancing shoes on and dance the night away with the fabulous Reckless Exeter (Official).

Before your carriages collect you, we will be bringing out some cheese and port for you to enjoy 😋🧀 Thank you to Mole Valley Farmers - Holsworthy, Saputo and Parkham Farms for sponsoring the cheese and port table.

The bar will be well stocked including beers from Holsworthy Ales and a choice of ciders from Sam's Cider. A massive thank you to Clawton Young Farmers who are helping us run the bar, proceeds from the bar will be split between Clawton YFC and The FCN.

Dinner tickets are £50pp, as above there are only 10 of these now available or we have after dinner tickets available for £20.

If you'd like to book your tickets please call Jay on 01409 253418 or pop her an email, [email protected]

We'd like to say a thank you to all those who have generously donated prizes towards our Summer Ball or who have supported in other ways, we will be posting more about all our support over the next couple of weeks.