News

• RALS Ltd is now based near Bilsborrow, Preston.  All services will continue as normal and all current clients will be unaffected.  We look forward to meeting new clients in the locality.  Please ensure you use our correct address for all future correspondance (see Contact Us page) (16/11/13)

• Dog trialling success for Ruari & Dougal.  Valued RALS Ltd team member Ruari Martin and his dog "Dougal" made a very impressive debut to the sheepdog trialling circuit this Autumn - 2013.  On September 29th they won on their debut and were also awarded "Best run of the day".  Proving it wasn't just beginners luck, they won their next trial the following weekend and also the shield for "Most promising new handler".  Well done both!  May your success continue in readiness for gathering flocks for shearing next season! (6/10/13)

•  Wedding Bells!  Ross Anthony and Laura Jones tied the knot in Pembrokeshire, West Wales on 7th September 2013.  The sun shone and we had a wonderful time and were so pleased that all of the RALS Ltd team were able to make the long journey South to join us.  Thanks so much to everyone for their support, best wishes, cards and gifts.  And what better way for a farmer's daughter to arrive and leave the church than on the back of the tractor!! (7/9/13)

• RALS  Ltd recently carried out worm egg counts for a local livery yard, samples for 10 horses were looked at under the micrscope and whilst 2 horses had higher levels than the others, none were above the threshold level for needing worming at the present time. All owners have benefitted by saving money and the horses and environment have benefitted from not being subjected to unnecessary chemicals - everyone's a winner! (29/1/13)

All our worm egg count kits are supplied with comprehensive instructions and management tips.  Envelopes are all pre-paid making the process as easy as possible for you,  However if you are a local farmer or horse owner then we may be able to call in instead to collect the samples or you can drop them off with us.

We can also offer discounts for larger groups of horses and for those who wish to set up a programme to use our services regularly - let us take the guesswork out of worming and drenching for you and allow you to do so more objectively.

The image on the left shows an Equine Strongyle egg and air bubbles.

This image on the right also shows an Equine Strongyle egg under the microscope at x100 magnification.

The image below shows the same egg at x40 magnification.

 Cattle Lameness & Foot Trimming day - Whittakers Farm 16/1/13

RALS were pleased to be invited to give a cattle foot trimming demonstration recently in West Bradford.  The day which was organised by Holly Gammon of Myerscough Veterinary Group was attended by farmers who wished to learn more about the various contributary factors of cattle lameness and gain a greater insight into trimming.  The Bristol family kindly hosted the day and despite the wintry weather conditions we were able to continue indoors. 

 Ross Anthony is seen here with organiser Holly Gammon and host Andrew Bristol.

Among the topics discussed during the day were digital dermititis, foul and foot bathing / spraying.

Ross Anthony discussed and then demonstrated the Dutch method of foot trimming which he uses and the benefits of regular trimming, pointing out that the work of a foot trimmer is vital and should pay for itself by reducing drops in milk yield - most farmers are unaware that milk yield actually drops 4 months before lameness is actually observed.  It will also reduce veterinary and cull costs, and the labour and extra care costs involved with lame animals.

Laura Jones spoke about our Cattle Mobility Scoring service which complements the foot trimming, meaning we can provide a comprehensive hoof care package for you, whereby we can score your herd and inspect those that may need treatment and treat where necessary.

The time taken to look at the feet of cattle in the very early stages of hoof problems is far less than with long standing issues and recovery times are markedly reduced.

• We would like to thank Holly Gammon at Myerscough Veterinary Group for organising and inviting us to give a demonstration, offer guidance and answer questions at yesterdays "Cattle lameness day" kindly hosted by Mr Andrew Bristol & family at Whittakers Farm, West Bradford.  It was a most enjoyable and productive day, thanks to all those who attended.  Pictures and more above.  - (17/1/13)

• We would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year, all the best for 2013! - (31/12/12)

• NEW SERVICES OFFERED!! - Cattle Mobility Scoring & Faecal Egg Counts for sheep, cattle and horses - (29/11/12)

• The construction of the Ross Anthony Livestock Services website has been an exciting development and we are now on Facebook too (search for Ross Anthony Livestock Services and look out for our logo!) meaning that there are now even more ways to follow our progress and get in touch with us - (28/11/12)

• As well as posting news items here on this page, do please check out our Blog page for more comments and items - (27/11/12)

• We have added a Guestbook page so please do contact us with your views on the website and your feedback on RALS and its products and services - (25/11/12)

• We hope that you find the FAQ's page useful, this is a work in progress and will be added to regularly - (25/11/12)

Acknowledgements

RALS would like to thank the following people for allowing us to photograph on their premises:

• D J Holt & family, Newhurst Farm, Bolton-by-Bowland
• G Haworth, Skipton, North Yorkshire
• J E Holden & family, Lower Wood Road Farm, Summerseat
• K Midgely, Sunnyside Farm, Halifax
• P & M Anthony & family, Waun Fawr, Blaenwaun
• R & L Cowperthwaite, Stockdale Farm, Settle
• A Bristol & family, Whittakers Farm, West Bradford
• P A & P J Ormerod, Pasture House Farm, West Marton