A beautiful evening set the scene for an evening of fun and revelry.  By 7.15pm the stand and bar were packed with people carefully studying their form cards and feverishly trying to pick up tips.  The arrival of David Garahy meant plenty of access to very reliable(?)  tips and Michael Wade was like the Pied Piper with kinds and staff in large numbers.  Peter Kavanagh and his family (extended in every direction) was the other pharmacist there on the night.  
We had a very successful night with a buzz of activity, people clambering
up the steps at the last minute to watch yet another dog fail to deliver his promise.  There was face painting and a Silver Band., food and drink and tax free gambling for the first time in Ireland.  There was a huge crowd, a festive atmospher and the biggest betting turnover
ever recorded for a single meeting in Enniscorthy.
The prize money on the night was £10,000 and the local track was very appreciative of the support of Pharmachem.  We were indebted to Michael Wade for his help in organising the event and the tireless hospitality of Mary Nolan at the track.  We also appreciate the support of the sponsors on the night.

The Sponsors for the night included:
Pfizer Animal Health           Foran Chemicals       Interchem Ltd
Novartis Animal Health      Bob Martins              Shanagarry Products
Intervet Ltd    Michael Wade Pharmacy
 

There were calls for 
(a) simplified registration procedures. 
(b) More realistic interpretation of the technical requirements for
    marketing authorisations. 
(c) Less strict criteria for some older products which have been proven
to be safe. 
(d) MRL’s to be applicable to all food producing species and MRL to
be established for two target tissues only (rather than one for each
species).

Leptoferm H and Scourguard 3K will no longer be available as the company will not be producing the data for EU registration.  High  Numbers with Leptospirosis.  Recent data from bulk milk samples from unvaccinated UK herds show high percentages (82%) testing positive for Leptospirosis. Of those 42% showed high level of Leptospira-hardjo infection i.e. over 30%
of the herd have antibodies to the disease. In some cases the infection may be waning but infection has very serious consequences for farms. 
Schering Plough say the Irish situation would closely mirror the UK situation. 
Leptospirosis, as well as causing abortions can result in milk drop syndrome (flabby bags) where the milk becomes yellow and thick.  This self resolves within 10-14 days.  Embryo loss may also result from the disease and repeated heat after 6 weeks is typical.  Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease and therefore human health is a consideration.
Evidence from Liverpool University shows vaccination of infected herds significantly improves conception rates and reduces culling due to infertility. 
Pharmacists Advice: Vaccinate dairy cows two weeks before going out to grass.   Replacement heifers should be vaccinated before a service. All new arrivals to the farm should be vaccinated.  Sheep can be implicated so land should be kept free for a few months after sheep grazing.