Cross Counties Farm Vets

29/12/2025

Christmas Quiz Roundup!

On Friday 5th December we hosted the 8th Annual Christmas Quiz, in memory of Tom Mitchell. This year, we supported The Farming Community Network and . These charities play an important role in supporting the farming communities and families we work with.

We had a wonderful evening with a great quiz (even if it was a little Devon biased, thanks Paul Uglow from Norbrook, who provided us with it) which for the first time in the history of the quiz was won by the team made up mainly of CCFV employees and their partners. Safe to say, credit goes to the partners as the vets are notoriously bad at general knowledge, tending to know more about farm veterinary than anything else! The food was excellent, and the pudding spread as legendary as ever.

Thank you all for your generous support. Through ticket sales, the silent auction and the raffle, we were able to raise £3337.50, which we hope VetPartners will boost for us.

A massive thank you to everyone that donated to the event, we really couldn't do this without you!

We are looking forward to continuing this tradition for Christmas 2026!

25/12/2025

24/12/2025

🎄 Remember to get any medicine orders sorted today before Christmas!

🎅 Please see our office hours below for the festive period. If you need us over Christmas, please call the on call vet on 01455 710935.

18/12/2025

🎉 Congratulations Mel! 🎉

We are incredibly proud to announce that our very deserving, Senior Vet, Mel Julian has been awarded the prestigious accolade of Vet of The Year 2025. This is across all practices and businesses within the VetPartners family, across all species.


Mel received her award at the recent VetPartners Annual Congress held in Manchester where she was treated to a video montage of messages from colleagues who had nominated her. She received the award for her unparalleled dedication to her role and the practice, supporting colleagues and clients. Mel has stepped up to leadership with grace during times when the leadership team has been stretched. Amongst all of this, Mel completed her certificate and planned her own wedding!


Please join us in wishing Mel many congratulations on her award and a big thank you for all that she does for the clients and colleagues at Cross Counties Farm Vets!

11/12/2025

❄ Cold stress - in camelids 🦙

Unsurprisingly, Camelids are quite cold-tolerant thanks to their dense fibre coats.
But – just like cattle and sheep – wet fibre, wind, or poor condition can dramatically raise their lower critical temperature (the temperature at which they start using extra energy to stay warm).

These values vary with fleece length, body condition, age, wind chill and wetness:
🦙 Alpacas
Full fleece: around -10°C
Recently shorn / short fleece: +10°C to +15°C
Crias (young alpacas): +10°C to +20°C, depending on age & coat

🦙 Llamas
Full fleece: around -10°C to -15°C
Shorn / short fibre: +5°C to +10°C
Cria llamas: similar to alpacas, generally +10°C to +20°C

A wet fleece can raise LCT by 10–20°C, meaning an alpaca that copes with -10°C may struggle at +5°C if soaked and exposed. Some food for thought through the winter.

09/12/2025

❄️ Cold stress ❄️

🌡 We’re now seeing some lower critical temperature (LCT) limits being breached so this is your annual reminder!

What is it?
The LCT is the temperature below which livestock must use extra energy just to stay warm. Feeding protocols need to be adjusted to counteract any impacts.

More energy burned =
⬆ higher feed demand
⬇ reduced growth rates
⬇ lower milk yield
⬆ higher disease risk (especially pneumonia)

In general, these are the LCT’s for livestock, though these vary with coat condition, age, and wind chill:

🐄 Adult cattle (dry coat): ~0°C
🐄 Adult cattle (wet coat): +10°C
🐄 Calves

03/12/2025

🌨 Frozen water trough hacks 🌨

What are the best water trough hacks to prevent them from freezing? We know there are a couple of tips out there but we’re interested to know what has worked for you.

Couple of options:
🔴 Floating ball
🌊 Floating a plastic bottle of salted water - salt water has a higher freezing temp, so helps keep a hole open - make sure the salt can’t get in the water!
🧣 Insulating your tanks - there’s been success with straw and even foam mats, the type you get camping
💧 Reducing capacity and flow - so the water constantly trickles in

It’s a frustrating problem to have, but a key one to solve for grazing livestock.

02/12/2025

🎄Our annual charity quiz is on Friday 5th December, and this year it is in aid of The Farming Community Network and Macmillan Cancer Support. 💚

💳 We still have a few tickets left if you would like to join us for a fun filled evening.

🎁 We know some of you cannot join us on the night but would still like to support the event. Please find a list of items available on the silent auction below. We also have a large number of fantastic raffle prizes.

📞 If you would like to place a bid, or purchase raffle tickets, please contact the office on 01455 710935 or [email protected], or pop in. For further information on any of the auction items, please speak to Lauren.

24/11/2025

Worming at Housing 🐂

As cattle come indoors, it’s the perfect time to review your parasite control plan. Worming at housing helps reduce gut and lungworm burdens, supporting growth rates and winter health.

Speak to your vet about choosing the right product and for a quote (or ask us for our latest price list):

✅ Treat effectively.
✅ Dose accurately.
✅ Keep stock healthy this winter.

18/11/2025

Oxidative Stress 🐄

We want to quickly highlight the signs of oxidative stress in dairy cows, as it’s something we often come across, especially in transition cows which won’t come as much of a surprise to you.

Oxidative stress happens when the cow’s natural defences can no longer keep up with the amount of “free radicals” produced. When free radical production overwhelms the cow’s natural defences, damage can occur at cellular level.

Prolonged stress caused by poor diet, management, heat, high milk production, infection etc can lead to:
🐮 Reduced yield
🐮 Ketosis and other metabolic disorders
🐮 Impaired immunity
🐮 Fertility issues

Vitamin and mineral supplementation can help reduce oxidative stress, especially in systems where it’s hard to change the root cause. It’s not for you to “stress” about but always good to keep in mind should you have poor performance - there’s always something to investigate.

Just a little background and food for thought for you all.

11/11/2025

Remembrance Day

As we pause to remember the courage and sacrifice of those who served, we also honour the farmers and agricultural workers who fought their own battle here at home.

During times of war, food production became a matter of national survival. Fields were tended by families missing loved ones, young people took on the work of entire crews, and communities rallied to ensure no one went hungry.

From ration books to victory gardens, the farming community’s resilience fed both soldiers abroad and families at home — sustaining hope in the hardest of times.

Today, we remember not only those on the front lines, but those who kept the home front alive.

05/11/2025

Bonfire Night 🔥

Remember Remember …

We’re all custodians of nature, so please check bonfires before lighting them in
case wildlife such as hedgehogs have taken shelter amongst the wood. Disturb
the pile by lifting sections gently (if possible) and light from one side which gives anything the chance to escape. 🦔