292 – How Does Reviewing the Evidence Change Veterinary Surgeons Beliefs Regarding the Treatment of Ovine Footrot – A Quantitative and Qualitative Study (Research paper – Higgins – 2013)

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292 Research paper – Higgins – 2013 – How Does Reviewing the Evidence Change Veterinary Surgeons Beliefs Regarding the Treatment of Ovine Footrot_ A Quantitative and Qualitative Study

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals Other
Species targeted: Sheep;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
The aims of this research were to see how veterinary surgeons’ beliefs regarding effectiveness of two treatments for footrot changed following a review of the evidence. There was considerable variety in veterinary surgeons’ beliefs before they listened to a review of the evidence. After hearing the evidence, seven participants quantifiably changed their beliefs. The results suggest that a substantial amount of the variation in beliefs related to differences in veterinary surgeons’ knowledge of the evidence. Two key findings from the qualitative data were: (i) veterinary surgeons believed that farmers are unlikely to actively seek advice on lameness, suggesting a proactive veterinary approach is required (ii) more attention could be given to improving the way in which veterinary advice is delivered to farmers. In summary this study has revealed that the evidence that currently exists can change veterinary opinion and improved transfer of research knowledge into veterinary practice is needed.

Where to find the original material: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0064175; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064175
Country: UK

291 – Looking after the individual to reduce disease in the flock – A binomial mixed effects model investigating the impact of individual sheep management (Research paper – Green – 2007)

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291 Research paper – Green – 2007 – Looking after the individual to reduce disease int he flock_ A binomial mixed effects model investigating the impact of individual sheep management of in

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals Euthanasia/culling; Breeding for disease resistance or robustness
Species targeted: Sheep;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
A total of 160 ewes on one farm in England were studied for 18 months. Cases of footrot and interdigital dermatitis in individually identified sheep and treatment and flock control measures were recorded. In this one flock, cases of footrot and interdigital dermatitis were linked and associated with trimming of feet. They were also negatively associated with the use of antibiotics and topical antibiotic sprays in either the first +/- second 2-week period. These results suggest 1) that ‘footrot and interdigital dermatitis are infectious diseases that can be controlled, in part, through the use of antibiotics, which acts to reduce the infectious period of diseased sheep’ and 2) that ‘routine trimming of diseased and healthy feet increase disease, through environmental contamination +/- through increased susceptibility of sheep with recently trimmed feet’.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587706002078; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2006.09.005
Country: UK

290 – The Five Point Plan – A successful tool for reducing lameness in sheep (Research paper – Clements – 2014)

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290 Research paper – Clements – 2014 – The Five Point Plan_ a successful tool for reducing lameness in sheep

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals Euthanasia/culling; AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Sheep;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Lameness constitutes a major animal welfare and economic challenge across the sheep sector, costing an estimated £24 million to the UK industry. The high volume of antibiotic currently used to tackle the estimated 9 million lameness cases that occur annually in the UK is also concerning. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an achievable farm-level solution, the Five Point Plan, to reduce lameness levels to FAWC targets. The Five Point Plan has five action points that support the animal in three different ways: building resilience, reducing disease challenge and establishing immunity. It was then implemented on a UK sheep farm over a four-year study period (2009–2013). Lameness prevalence across the study flock was measured monthly by a single observer using a simple 6-point locomotion score. The results show that lameness reduction is achievable within a relatively short time scale but does require long-term commitment in order to sustain success.

Where to find the original material: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263294503_The_’Five_Point_Plan’_A_successful_tool_for_reducing_lameness_in_sheep; https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.102161
Country: UK

242 Exploring Attitudes and Beliefs towards Implementing Cattle Disease Prevention and control measures (Research report – Brennan, 2016)

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242 Research report – Brennan – 2016 – Exploring Attitudes and Beliefs towards Implementing Cattle Disease Prevention and control measures

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \Internal biosecurity; People; Precision Livestock Farming & Early detection
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Further understanding of why dairy farmers do not engage in disease prevention and control strategies (biosecurity) is required. Using semi-structured interviews informed by a health psychology approach with 25 dairy farmers, a number of barriers, such as disease testing inaccuracies, types of disease transmission, perceived lack of risk and effectiveness of measures, were identified. Motivators included being advised to undertake measures by veterinarians, and the increased threat and severity of the disease in focus. These results suggest there is an advantage to farm advisors and herd health professionals understanding and working with the beliefs of individual dairy farmers to target appropriate communication and advice strategies relating to biosecurity recommendations.

Where to find the original material: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/6/10/61; http://doi.org/10.3390/ani6100061
Country: UK;

225 Developing integrated livestock breeding and management strategies to improve animal health product quality and performance in European organic and low input milk (Industry Innovation)

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225 Industry Innovation – Developing integrated livestock breeding and management strategies to improve animal health product quality and performance in European organic and low input milk

In Significant Impact Groups: Breeding for disease resistance or robustness \ Housing and welfare
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Sheep;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
LowInputBreeds integrated breeding and management to improve animal health, product quality and performance in organic and low input milk, meat and eggs. Four technical sub-projects (SP) were evaluated for ethical, economic and environmental impact in a 5th SP, which also covered training and dissemination, including our website which lists contacts and bi-annual newsletters. By developing and integrating (a) genotypes selected for performance, robustness and product quality traits, and (b) management innovations to improve ‘low input’ systems the project made a significant contribution towards regionally-adapted breeding strategies, compatible with sustainable production, high product quality and organic principles.

Where to find the original material: https://cordis.europa.eu/docs/results/222/222623/final1-lib-publishable-summary-pdf.pdf;
Country: UK

221 Key actors in driving behavioural change in relation to on-farm biosecurity – A Northern Ireland perspective (Research paper – Lahuerta-Marin, 2018)

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221 Research paper – Lahuerta-Marin – 2018 – Key actors in driving behavioural change in relation to on-farm biosecurity_ a Northern Ireland perspective

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \Internal biosecurity; People
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep; Other;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
Agriculture and farming are valued contributors to local economy in Northern Ireland (NI). There is limited knowledge about farmers’ behaviours and attitudes towards disease biosecurity measures. As part of a larger project, a scenario-based workshop with key stakeholders was organised by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)-NI in December 2015. Participants were asked to discuss and give their opinions about a series of questions across four key areas in a semi-structured approach with an external facilitator. The discussion showed that training in biosecurity for farmers is important and necessary. Training was recommended to be provided by veterinary surgeons, preferably via a face-to-face format. The discussion addressing disease disclosure proved particularly challenging between those who were prospective buyers of cattle, and those who sold cattle. This workshop provided a unique and invaluable insight into key issues regarding farm level biosecurity activities.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6001042/; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-018-0125-1
Country: UK

215 SHAWG – Industry guidance document for veterinary surgeons and farmers on responsible use of antibiotics in sheep by The Sheep Health and Welfare Group SHAWG (Tools & Checklists)

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215 ToolsChecklists – SHAWG – Industry guidance document for veterinary surgeons and farmers on responsible use of antibiotics in sheep by The Sheep Health and Welfare Group SHAWG

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Sheep;
Age:
Summary:
The SHAWG guidance document has been written to outline the key steps in ensuring veterinary surgeons and farmers work together to review and achieve responsible use of antibiotics within the sheep flock. Examination of antibiotic use in the sheep sector, identified the following three areas of concern with regards to prescribing practices for sheep. In some cases these involved whole flock prophylactic treatment for these three specific disease management areas: control of infectious lameness, prevention of enzootic abortion and treatment of lambs against neonatal bacterial infections. The primary recommendations are that, in order to replace, refine and reduce antibiotics in these target areas, vets and sheep farmers should work to plan ahead, prevent disease and protect their flocks.

Where to find the original material: http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Responsible-AMU-guidance-for-sheep_Version-1.0_June-2019.pdf;
Country: United Kingdom;

181 UK Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance and Sales Surveillance (VARSS) Report 2018 by Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) (Industry Innovation)

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181 Industry Innovation – UK Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance and Sales Surveillance (VARSS) Report 2018 by Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance; Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep; Other;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
In the UK, pharmaceutical companies have reported the quantity of authorised veterinary antibiotics sold throughout the country to the VMD since 1993; this has been a statutory requirement since 2005. Sales of veterinary antibiotics for use in food-producing animals, adjusted for animal population, were 29.5 mg/kg; a 3 mg/kg (9%) and 33mg/kg (53%) decrease since 2017 and 2014 respectively. Sales of highest priority critically important antibiotics (HP-CIAs) in food-producing animals dropped by a further 0.4 tonnes (18%) from an already low level in 2017; a drop of 3.1 tonnes (66%) since 2014. Overall, tetracyclines remain the most sold antibiotic class (38%), followed by beta-lactams (27%) and trimethoprim/sulphonamides (10%). Sales of HP-CIAs in all animal species represent a small proportion (0.7%) of the overall antibiotic sales.

Where to find the original material: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/842678/PCDOCS-_1705145-v1-UK-VARSS_2018_Report__2019__FINAL_v2.pdf;
Country: UK

179 Mastitis pattern analysis tool by University of Nottingham and QMMS (Tools & Checklists)

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179 ToolsChecklists – Mastitis pattern analysis tool by University of Nottingham and QMMS

Precision Livestock Farming & Early detection \ Big data
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age:
Summary:
This Excel spreadsheet-based tool identifies problem areas and potential risks to udder health and gives farmers and vets a way of tracking progress in the herd. The tool will analyse data from your individual herd and produces a report on the pattern of mastitis on your farm. It will also identify the predominant mastitis infection pattern present on your farm. The tool allows you to input data from bulk milk tank readings, somatic cell count data and mastitis records to calculate what sorts of mastitis you have in your herd and what measures can be taken to control mastitis outbreaks and reduce your mastitis rate. This will allow farmers and vets to work together to assess and prioritise key management areas and potentially detect emerging problems. Milk recording herds are at an advantage as cow SCC information is readily available.

Where to find the original material: http://dairy.ahdb.org.uk/mastitis-pattern-tool/#.Xuu6tuco_IU;
Country: United Kingdom;

178 University of Nottingham dairy calf milk replacer calculator by University of Nottingham (Tools & Checklists)

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178 ToolsChecklists – University of Nottingham dairy calf milk replacer calculator by University of Nottingham

AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age:
Summary:
This Excel spreadsheet-based calculator works out the approximate energy requirements for a pre weaned dairy heifer and the amount of energy provided by milk replacer. Nutritional specifications of the milk replacer will be required including the amount and concentration of milk replacer used. All you need to do is enter the required information in the yellow highlighted squares and it will do the calculations for you. There is also additional functions for cold days and for different growth rates.

Where to find the original material: https://dairy.ahdb.org.uk/resources-library/technical-information/health-welfare/calf-milk-replacer-energy-calculator/#.Xuu4M-co_IU ;
Country: United Kingdom;