DS McGregor & Partners - Farm Page

04/06/2026

𝗠𝗦𝗗 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟯𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲!

Tackling Abortion in Ewes – Know the Cause, Protect the Future 🐑
Have you had empty ewes or aborted pregnancies this season?
The MSD FlockCheck Scheme offers a valuable opportunity to get to the root of the problem — by testing for the two most common infectious causes:
🦠 Toxoplasmosis and 🦠 Enzootic Abortion (EAE).
🩸Through a simple blood sample from barren or aborted ewes, we can help determine if either of these diseases is affecting your flock.🩸
✅ Eligibility: Open to farmers with 100 or more breeding ewes.

Understanding the cause of abortion now means better prevention and planning for next season.
📞 Contact Donald S McGregor and Partners Ltd today to book your flock in See less

15/05/2026

This cute wee cow teddy was found in the car park on Monday morning in the Thurso Surgery.

We would like to reunite her with her owner, in the meantime surgery dog Todd is keeping her safe 🐄

Please share.

06/05/2026

🚨Attention Sheep Farmers🚨
The recent warm temperatures have resulted in the Caithness and Sutherland areas about to have a Nematodirus hatch.

Nematodirus worms respond to a white wormer. We stock a variety of white wormers. Please contact us to discuss.

See the SCOPS Forecast at https://www.scops.org.uk/forecasts/nematodirus-forecast/ for further information.

07/04/2026

🐑 Now in Stock 🐑

Immucol Lamb Colostrum is now available at both Thurso and Wick branches. Price is £40.30 for a 500g pack, making 20 feeds as a top up or 10 feeds as a full replacement.

Not all colostrum replacements are the same and quality matters. A ewe’s own colostrum is always best, but when that is not possible, Immucol is a reliable alternative.

Please contact us or pop in for advice.

10/03/2026

17/02/2026

Lambing season is nearly here 🐑 email your order or give us a call in advance so we can have everything ready for collection.

12/02/2026

*now fully booked*

𝗣𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴🐑

Join us for a discussion covering ewe nutrition, pregnancy toxaemia, changes to castration and tail docking legislation, plus farmer experiences of Numnuts, Clipfitter and leaving lambs entire.

Practical demos and equipment to view and try on the day.

10/02/2026

📣 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 🐑

Defra is currently running a consultation on proposed changes to lamb castration and tail docking policy. These changes could have a direct impact on day to day flock management and animal welfare on farm.

We strongly encourage farmers to take a few minutes to share their views and practical experience by completing the consultation here

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/on-farm-animal-welfare-future-farming-policy/lamb-castration-and-tail-docking/

As your local mixed veterinary practice, we believe it is essential that decisions are informed by those working with livestock every day. Your input really does matter.

06/02/2026

❄️Snow Impact Fund closes Feb 6❄️ We have been pleased to support farmers and crofters who sustained hefty damage to buildings, feed and bedding supplies etc during the recent extreme weather.
There is still time to get final applications to us but they need to reach us by Friday 6th February, the closing date.
Our thanks to all those we have spoken with over the past few weeks and for all the feedback on how valuable this support has been.
More info here: https://www.rsabi.org.uk/rsabi-launches-100000-snow-impact-fund-for-farmers/

05/02/2026

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗩𝗗 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

From 1 February 2026, new compulsory BVD testing rules will come into force for calves born to what are known as Trojan cows.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴?
Phase 6 of the BVD eradication programme will introduce mandatory BVD testing for calves born to all dams that moved on to a holding while pregnant.

Any calf born on or after 1 February 2026 must be individually tested for the presence of BVD virus:
before it is 40 days old, or
before it moves off the holding, if that happens sooner

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱?
The most cost effective way to test young calves is by tissue tagging. BVD management tags can now be used in cattle of all ages, including newborn calves. You can use either the calf’s official ear tag or a BVD management tag.

Calves should be tissue tagged as soon after birth as possible, and samples sent promptly to a BVD approved laboratory. If you do not routinely tissue tag calves, then we can blood sample calves.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗱 𝗕𝗩𝗗 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀?
While a calf from a potential Trojan cow does not yet have an individual BVD result, it will be given a BVD Not Negative status. This can affect the BVD status of the breeding herd:

If the calf remains on the holding at 41 days of age without an individual BVD Negative result, the herd will become BVD Not Negative, or remain Positive if a PI animal is already present.

If the calf moves on to another breeding holding without an individual BVD Negative result, a Negative herd will lose its BVD status 40 days after the movement. This can be avoided by testing the calf and obtaining a Negative result before the 40 day deadline.

As soon as the calf receives an individual BVD Negative status, is reported dead, or is removed from the herd, the herd status will revert to its previous status.

If you have any questions about these changes, tissue tagging, or BVD testing protocols, please get in touch with the practice and we will be happy to advise.