British Cattle Veterinary Association - BCVA

02/06/2026

This is your invitation to apply to be a steward at the British Cattle Veterinary Association’s Congress, taking place 15th - 17th October, at the Telford International Centre.

As a steward you will arrive at 15:00 on the Wednesday (14 Oct), get free hotel accommodation, free registration and your meals provided.

You will help with all aspects of running this world-class event – from setting-up and supporting the registration desk, to looking after speakers and exhibitors. Plus, you will have time to attend some lectures by working on a rota with your fellow stewards.

We need around 16 stewards and encourage applications from those students from UK universities who are considering a career in farm animal veterinary medicine. It’s a great opportunity to network and make connections with experienced farm vets and even potential employers.

If you are interested, please apply soon – these places are quickly snapped up.
Email [email protected] by 30 June 2026 with the completed application form.

29/05/2026

Congratulations to BCVA Board Member who is a finalist for the BVA One Health and Sustainability Award.

Presented in memory of BVA Past President Dr. Simon Doherty, a champion of sustainability and One Health, this award celebrates veterinary-led initiatives that have driven increased awareness and action on these key issues.

Rob is BCVA'S Sustainability Lead and has dedicated his career to championing regenerative farming. This is recognition of everything he's working toward.

26/05/2026

Medicines Bitesize - Online Workshops with Jude Roberts

These are 6 separate but complementary courses. You are encouraged to book on all 6 but this is not essential.

Courses will run from 2pm to 4pm.

Mastitis (3rd June) – lactating cow treatment: intramammaries – options, for how long, how often. Use of NSAIDs, use of systemic antibiotics and other alternative approaches

Mastitis (10th June) - dry cow treatments: dry cow antibiotics, selective dry cow therapy and use of internal teat sealants

BRD (1st July) – choosing an antibiotic, justification of a category C product, when does second line become first line, metaphylaxis

Scouring animal (8th July) – calves and cows what can be given, when may antibiotics be appropriate, use of NSAIDs

Fertility (16th September) - treatment options available: including hormones - choice and how to use, synchronisation and treatment of fertility disorders

The sick cow (23rd September) – treatment regime without a diagnosis, on label versus cascade, “miscellaneous” products that may be in the dispensary

Book online
https://www.bcva.org.uk/cpd/medicines-bitesize-online-workshops

26/05/2026

As farm vets we will work in all weathers, come rain or shine, and in the longer term, it is predicted that a consequence of climate change will mean we will experience increasingly warm summers in the future. So, how prepared are we as vets to cope with the challenges that heat and farm work present?

Whilst of course we must always maintain biosecurity on and between farms, there are some acceptable and feasible alternatives to heavy wellies and waterproofs on hot days:

Suitable PPE – things to think about ...

Rubber boots that are easy to clean.

All protective clothing must cover any normal clothing completely, be clean or arrival, suitable for cleansing and disinfecting or can be removed and sealed in a bag prior to leaving the premises.

Protective clothing can be any of the following: Waterproofs (trousers and jacket), a paper disposable suit, or a boiler suit (this should only be worn on one premise and returned to the practice for laundering before reuse). Providing that there is somewhere suitable to change on the farm, it may be cooler to wear minimal clothing underneath an outer disposable paper or boiler suit, which can then be removed and sealed in a plastic bag before leaving the farm.

Tactics for working in high temperatures ...

Start the test as early in the day as possible so neither yourself or the cattle are moving in the heat of the day and cattle can be gathered in early morning.

Carry plenty of water and electrolytes - freezing bottles of water the night before can mean they stay cooler for longer. Orange segments are easy to carry and provide hydration. Take short, frequent breaks.

Small, battery-operated, hand-held fans offer some relief.

Sunhats and high factor sun cream are essential for protection.

Impact on cattle...

See our website for more information.
https://www.bcva.org.uk/content/beat-heat

21/05/2026

BCVA Congress 2027 will be held jointly with the European College of Bovine Health Management and the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland as the European Buiatrics Congress in Belfast – 20-22 October.

This is a great chance to combine world-class bovine CPD with the opportunity to meet and learn from colleagues from across Europe – all in one place.

More details to follow.

Watch this space.

13/05/2026

SYVAZUL VACCINE FOR BTV-8

Syvazul BTV 8 for sheep and cattle is now in stock and available for immediate use across England, Scotland and Wales. Virbac has indicated that the vaccine can be used during pregnancy and lactation and carries a zero‑day withdrawal period, supporting uninterrupted farm productivity.

Bluetongue Serotype 8 was detected in the South‑West of England towards the end of last year’s vector season and has since been confirmed in the South‑East, including East Sussex. Vaccines are available for BTV-3 and are in good supply, but it is important to understand that they offer no cross-protection against BTV-8 or other serotype.

Vaccination against Bluetongue – both BTV-3 and BTV-8 – remains the most effective tool for reducing clinical signs and lowering viral load within a herd or flock.

07/05/2026

Do you have a question needing an answer? Send in your questions ahead of Wednesday’s webinar, 5-6pm where we will hear the latest on the situation.

 
Submit questions in advance via: https://forms.office.com/e/dEpjrQE5bS

Book via: https://ahdb.org.uk/events/bluetongue-virus-update-13-may

07/05/2026