Here are some useful technical documents in PDF format.

OPTIMISE YOUR MANAGEMENT - THE KEY TO PROFITABILITY
 
With pressure mounting by the day no one knows better than David Gibson, SAC's veterinary investigation officer based at Perth, that beef producers need all the advice they can get to ensure a profitable business in the next 12 months.  " Producers must optimise animal health and performance by establishing and implementing a comprehensive health plan.  Having a dedicated meeting with your vet to review your current management and animal health practices and put in place a strategy for the year ahead can be invaluable.  Industry specialists such as agricultural advisers and nutritionists can also have a positive input into the health plan process.  By addressing issues such as biosecutrity,vaccination,quarantine procedures,calving management and response to disease ouutbreaks  you can minimise health problems,improve growth rates and reduce medicine bills,thereby improving profitability.  The key is to be proactive not reactive."

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
 
BEEF PRODUCERS desparate for new ideas to get them on the road to profitability should seriously consider joining a group of like-minded farmers whilst there is still space!  That's the advice from Johnny Mackey, technical products manager with Quality Meat Scotland who said: "The greatest chance of success will be from adopting tried and tested ideas from other farmers that can be easily put into practice in your own farm business.  There are several initiatives out there, including the Monitor Farms programme, which are constantly identifying ways of making beef production more efficient and profitable.  The value of a prime beef animal is currently around £700 after deductions.  Even at that there are profitable beef farmers out there.  If you want to hear more about what they are doing, approach your nearest Monitor Farm group and take the opportunity to go and talk to them."

DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE CHANGING RATIONS
 
Beef finishers planning to switch from cereal to silage-based diets should do their homework first according to SAC beef specialist Gavin Hill.  He warned there was a real danger that producers alarmed at the increase in concentrate feed prices may simply rack up their silage use.  " Simply jumping to a silage-based system using poor quality silage may not be as cost effective as you think.  With barley and straw you know what you are feeding but silage quality is extremely variable and you need to analyse stocks carefully.  Poor quality silages still need significant levels of grain to finish cattle and it will take longer.  According to Mr Hill there is not one clear system which looks cost-effective at the moment - each system has its plusses and minuses so producers must keep their eyes open.

Looking ahead Mr Hill said producers thinking of turning more cattle out to grass next year should consider what alternative use of that acreage they could be sacrificing - such as sowing more cereals or increasing cow numbers.  He added: "An area we can improve on is maximising grass utilisation.  With better grassland management we use grass and clover varieties that can give excellent levels of performance.  If we go more to grass systems we need to fully utilise this as it is the cheapest way of putting weight on if carried out correctly.  Grass may well play a more vital role in the future."

TB - Report on the most recent Stakeholder's meeting on the handling of TB in Scotland

Scottish Parish Testing Frequencies (TB)

Johne's Disease - Handy Facts Sheet - Johne's Disease (Paratuberculosis) is a disease which is difficult to diagnose and handle in beef herds.  This fact sheet summarises the practical steps that can be taken at farm level to avoid the spread of the disease within herd.

Bluetongue - The current position regarding Bluetongue

Bluetongue Map - Europe - Indicates the most recent incidence of Bluetongue across The Netherlands, Belgium and France

BVD Control - A practical guide