OvertheCounter Magazine

OvertheCounter is a magazine published every two months, aimed at professional advisers in country retail and agricultural sectors. Its audience consists of AMTRA-certified Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs), veterinary nurses, veterinary clinics, buyers, wholesalers, distributors, and marketing experts.

National, Trade/B2B

English

Magazine

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#9552660

United Kingdom

#659014

Articles

Blowfly risk level rises

4 days ago | overthecounter.news | Simon King

Sheep farmers in the North of England, Western of Scotland and Northern Ireland are being warned of the risk of blowfly strike as the local Blowfly Watch risk alert has been raised to red. The free Blowfly Watch service, run in partnership with NADIS, uses a combination of factors – including soil temperature and humidity – to predict a blowfly strike risk in a 40km area.
Downland welcomes new franchisee in South Cornwall

5 days ago | overthecounter.news | Simon King

Downland has appointed a new franchisee, Carharrack Farm & Country Store. Based near Truro, Carharrack Farm & Country Store is owned by Jason and Sarah Andrew and covers the South Cornwall area. Downland chief excutive Sophie Smith said: “At Downland we are committed to providing farmers with unbiased advice and support, and we’re delighted to be welcoming Carharrack Farm & Country Store into our network.
Electronic ID for cattle mandatory in step forward for UK biosecurity

6 days ago | overthecounter.news | Simon King

Cattle identification and traceability in England will change over the next two years, in a major step forward in disease control and trade across the farming sector, Defra has announced. From Summer 2026, Defra will introduce changes to cattle identification, registration and reporting that will improve the government’s ability to respond effectively to disease. These changes will also simplify regulations and support industry to boost productivity, food security and international trade.
UK Pet Food welcomes new chair

6 days ago | overthecounter.news | Simon King

UK Pet Food has announced that its new chair is Dr Matt Elliott, scientific & regulatory affairs manager at Mars. Dr Elliott succeeds Rupert Phillips of Spectrum Brands, who stepped down from the role slightly early after a move away from pet food into the animal feed sector. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Dr Elliott brings a wealth of knowledge across product development, quality, science, and regulation.
2025 FlockCheck scheme uncovers high levels of Toxoplasma exposure across UK farms

1 week ago | overthecounter.news | Simon King

Early results from the 2025 FlockCheck diagnostic scheme, run by MSD Animal Health, have revealed that 80% of farms tested so far show exposure to the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Since opening on February 1 for toxoplasmosis testing, 198 flocks have been tested to date. The results reflect trends seen in previous years, with most participating farms recording at least one animal testing positive for the disease.
PATS 2025 to have biggest-ever Aquatic Zone

1 week ago | overthecounter.news | Simon King

Following its successful launch in 2024, the Aquatics Zone at PATS – The Pet & Aquatics Trade Show – is set to be bigger and better than ever as the exhibition moves to its new home in Hall 1 of the NEC Birmingham in September 2025. PATS will run over three days from Sunday, September 28, to Tuesday, September 30, and will bring together over 400 brands and the leading names in pet, aquatic, watergardening and reptile suppliers.
New appointment for Elanco pig and poultry team

2 weeks ago | overthecounter.news | Simon King

Elanco has expanded its pig and poultry team with the appointment of Izzy Durrant as a monogastric farm services technician. Miss Durrant, who has a degree in biology from the University of Bath, joins from the company’s pet health division, where she has worked as a territory business manager for North West England. She has been part of the team at Elanco since her third year at university when she completed a placement with the company’s pig and poultry marketing team.
Online workshop – being held today – focuses on spring parasite challenges and finishing lambs off grass | OvertheCounter

2 weeks ago | overthecounter.news | Simon King

Vets, SQPs and sheep farmers are invited to find out more about adopting a comprehensive approach to finishing lambs off grass at an online workshop next month. The Access to Knowledge (A2K) webinar, hosted by Elanco Animal Health, takes place today (Tuesday, May 20), from 2pm. Elanco ruminant technical consultant, Matt Colston, said the webinar will provide a valuable opportunity to find out more about spring parasite challenges and how they have the potential to impact finishing lambs off grass.
Over the Counter - May 2025

2 weeks ago | overthecounter.news | Simon King

The May 2025 issue is now available online! Packed full of news, features and comments, including: NEWS Welfare import report timing is good for industry BVA responds to CMA’s potential ‘remedies’ as investigation continues COMMENT AMTRA Hillary Cowley updates SQPs on the regulatory body’s latest work AHDA Bryan Lovegrove details some of the work the association is involved with NOAH Dawn Howard says the NOAH Livestock Vaccination Guideline outlines a best practice approach to vaccination in...
Entries are now open for the National SQP Awards 2025

2 weeks ago | overthecounter.news | Simon King

The National SQP Awards are back and it’s time to plan your entry ahead of the Friday, July 25 deadline. The National SQP Awards is a key feature on the sector calendar, which recognises those who have excelled in the animal health industry across the UK. This year’s National SQP Awards – which are run in association with AMTRA and AHDA and supported by NOAH – will culminate in a gala awards ceremony and lunch in London on Friday, November 7.