Dairy Cattle

Snapshot

• New metrics to measure antibiotic use on-farm were confirmed in 2018.
• While the sector set a target of reducing use by 20% from an estimated baseline of 26.2 mg/kg in 2016 to 21 mg/kg in 2020, as detailed in the 2016 Targets Task Force report, lack of data meant this could not be measured.
• Recognising the significant issues with data collection, work was undertaken in the cattle and sheep sectors to explore what a similar industry tool to the electronic-Medicine Book for pigs could look like for their respective industries. Following an initial pilot project with cattle in 2018, a second phase of work on a Medicines Hub was commissioned, this time for both cattle and sheep data. The aim is to capture: national sector level reporting of antibiotic use in line with ESVAC methodology; farm level data for identification of trends in how antibiotics are being used and to facilitate benchmarking within and between farms. The Medicine Hub is being launched by AHDB in January 2021.
• However, the sector also aimed to halve HP CIA use between 2016 and 2020, reduce use of intra-mammary dry cow products by 20% and lactating cow products by 10% 2015-2020, all of which were achieved by 2019.
• For more detail on the dairy sector targets which have been achieved, and new targets including national data collection, please refer to the Targets Task Force Report 2020
• For case studies, inspiration and technical tools to help farmers and vets reduce, replace or refine antibiotic use, visit the Ideas Hub.

News Updates

New antibiotic targets released for the UK livestock sectors

23 Nov 2020

New Mycoplasma vaccine halves calf mortality

26 Aug 2020

How a farmer is using minimal antibiotics in his dairy herd

21 Jul 2020

Dairy metrics to measure on-farm antibiotic use released by CHAWG

15 Dec 2018

New report shows progress towards achieving farm antibiotic targets

18 Nov 2018

Use of vaccines in cattle increases as antibiotics fall – new AHDB report

18 Nov 2018

RUMA confirms position on ‘antibiotic-free’ labelling

08 Oct 2018

Rapid diagnostic test for mastitis under development

08 Oct 2018

Campaign aims to remind prescribers and farmers that #VaccinesWork

11 Sep 2018

RUMA publishes position on feeding waste milk to calves

01 Aug 2018

Interim report gives picture of progress towards farming’s antibiotic targets

27 Jul 2018

UK farming triple winner at Public Health England’s Antibiotic Guardian awards

28 Jun 2018

Livestock farmers urged to use correct injection sites

13 Jun 2018

Food report from pressure groups misleads on antibiotics

19 Apr 2018

#ColostrumIsGold campaign aims to slash antibiotic use

29 Jan 2018

Initiatives

Dairy metrics to measure on-farm antibiotic use released by CHAWG

Dec 2018

Use of vaccines in cattle increases as antibiotics fall – new AHDB report

Nov 2018

Campaign aims to remind prescribers and farmers that #VaccinesWork

Sep 2018

#ColostrumIsGold campaign aims to slash antibiotic use

Jan 2018

Dairy sector launches new Dairy Antimicrobial Stewardship Group

Aug 2017

British Cattle Vets position statement on use on antibiotics in dairy & beef sectors – BCVA

Aug 2017

Dairy Pro professional training and development register for dairy farmers and operators

Jul 2017

MilkSure – antibiotic use in the dairy sector

Jul 2017

Research programme at University of Nottingham

Jul 2017

AMR Force project from University of Bristol

Jul 2017

Useful Organisations