CHECS is rolling out a new UK-wide TB Entry Level Membership over the coming months, focusing on biosecurity ‘basics’ to help farmers reduce the risk of TB breakdowns in their herds. Bovine TB has a devastating impact on farmers and their cattle. It is the UK’s most challenging animal health and welfare issue, costing farms…

Changes to Johne’s disease testing protocols which may affect subsequent herd Risk Levels have been announced by CHECS, which sets industry standards for cattle disease control across UK and Ireland. CHECS has confirmed the rule changes are aimed at increasing consistency and confidence in Johne’s disease test results. The changes will come into effect from…

Following on from the statement below which was issued by CHECS on the 8th April 2020, at the onset of Covid-19 in the UK and the nationwide lockdown when many farms were unable to undertake herd testing: “CHECS therefore advises that health status will be suspended when testing becomes overdue, but it can be reinstated…

A survey of 240 veterinary surgeons and advisers across the UK has overwhelmingly pinpointed lameness as the top health and welfare challenge facing cattle farmers and vets, with infectious disease second and lack of investment third. The online survey was carried out in June by CHECS, which sets standards for infectious disease control and quality…

Many thanks to the vets, advisers and SQPs who completed our survey. We received 240 responses and are delighted to announce the winners of the four £50 Amazon gift vouchers, as drawn from the hat, are: Philip Thomas; Joanne Brewin; Alasdair Carswell; Katie Arrowsmith.

We’re looking for the views of cattle vets and advisers on cattle health and disease control in the UK. Our short survey takes just 10-15 minutes to complete, and will be valuable in helping us improve services and advice. You have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win one of four £50 Amazon gift vouchers if…

A 30% increase in cattle health scheme membership in the UK is being driven by dairy and commercial beef farmers as part of efforts to have healthier herds and combat costly diseases, suggests a new study. A survey of almost 1,000 members of cattle health schemes licensed by CHECS, the body which sets biosecurity standards…

Download our new survey of cattle Health Scheme members here…

Thanks to all the health scheme members who participated in the CHeCS survey we ran throughout December. We had a total of 984 responses and look forward to releasing the results in the new year. We offered £50 shopping vouchers to four respondents drawn from the hat, and can announce that these winners were: Prue…

Leading Welsh dairy farmer Abi Reader has been appointed the new chair of Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHECS), the technical organisation that sets the specifications for health schemes involved in the control or eradication of endemic cattle disease in the UK. CHECS, which bases its standards on farm biosecurity measures, herd vet declarations, and quality…