The UK is the largest lamb meat producer in Europe. However, low profitability of sheep farming sector suggests production efficiency could be improved. Although use technologies such as Electronic Identification (EID) tools allow a better flock resources, anecdotal evidence they are not widely used. aim this study was to assess uptake EID technology, and explore drivers barriers adoption related among English Welsh farmers. Farm beliefs management practices associated with technology were...

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious public health risks facing humanity. The overuse antibiotics in treatment infectious disease have been identified as sources global threat antibiotic resistance. This paper examines how farmers perceive and manage associated with antibiotics. Specifically, role habitus risk determining farmers' decisions to adopt national reduction targets set by members Responsible Use Medicines Agriculture Alliance's Targets Task Force. Semi-structured...

The aim of this study was to examine the variation in antibiotic usage between 207 commercial sheep flocks using their veterinary practice prescribing records. Mean and median prescribed mass per population corrected unit (mg/PCU) 11.38 5.95, respectively closely correlated with animal defined daily dose (ADDD) 1.47 (mean), 0.74 (median) (R 2 =0.84, P<0.001). This is low comparison suggested target (an average across all UK livestock sectors) 50 mg/PCU. In total, 80 cent occurred 39 where...

Resistance to antimicrobials is one of the biggest challenges worldwide for public health. A key strategy tackling this ensuring judicious use in human and veterinary medicine. Whilst there are many studies medicine investigating prescribing behaviour doctors, limited work understand what factors influence veterinarian behaviour. Veterinarians often prescribe sheep beef farmers contexts other than at a clinical consultation, decision-making behind has not been explored. The aim study was...

Variable selection in inferential modelling is problematic when the number of variables large relative to data points, especially multicollinearity present. A variety techniques have been described identify 'important' subsets from within a parameter space but these may produce different results which creates difficulties with inference and reproducibility. Our aim was evaluate extent variable would change depending on statistical approach whether triangulation across methods could enhance...

Sheep scab (psoroptic mange), which is endemic in the United Kingdom (UK) flock, has a significant, negative impact on sheep welfare. Nothing previously been published about distribution of Northern Ireland (NI), nor Irish farmers' knowledge and behaviours relating to disease, its treatment, prevention control. Between March June 2021 an online questionnaire disease was completed by farmers NI. Forty-four respondents out total 122 valid returns (36%) indicated that they had at least one...

Abstract Flock health planning has been advocated as part of a wider drive within livestock production for veterinarians and farmers to adopt prevention‐focused approach veterinary medicine. This has, at its core, cyclical process assessment, evaluation, action re‐assessment, is documented, least in summary, plan (HP). The HP become defining pillar farm quality assurance schemes (QASs), introduced address calls greater transparency accountability food production. There limited current...

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) causes abortions, stillbirths and fetal malformations in naïve ruminants. The impact of the initial outbreak (2011/2012) on British sheep farms has been previously investigated, with higher farmer perceived impacts increased lamb ewe mortality reported SBV-affected farms. After several years low, or no, circulation UK flock once again became vulnerable to SBV infection. Re-emergence was confirmed autumn 2016. This study reports analysis a questionnaire designed...

Blowfly strike is one of the most unpleasant yet familiar annual problems that sheep farmers need to deal with. Strike causes significant welfare for and costs in terms both time money. The development good prevention strategies an important opportunity veterinarians engage with their clients; this requires a clear understanding scope problem challenge it presents. This article explains biology blowfly, risk factors how control strike. It also considers involved managing problem.

Orf, a viral disease which causes proliferative skin lesions around the mouths of lambs and on teats ewes, has long been assumed to have production-limiting consequences. This case-control study involved collection data from naturally occurring outbreaks orf in young eight commercial farms north-east England. Measurements weight were taken scored numerical scale for 44 orf-affected lambs, matched unaffected controls within same group. Data corresponding ewes available five farms. Paired t...

The aims of this study were to estimate the incidence rate clinical mastitis (IRCM) and identify risk factors for in suckler ewes generate hypotheses future study. A postal questionnaire was sent 999 randomly selected English sheep farmers 2010 gather data on farmer reported IRCM flock management practices calendar year 2009, which 329 provided usable information. mean per 1.2/100 ewes/year (CI:1.10:1.35). 2.0, 0.9 1.3/100 flocks that lambed indoors, outdoors a combination both,...

Background: Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), caused by the gram‐positive bacteria Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis , has been present in Great Britain since 1980s and is now considered endemic. CLA to be an iceberg disease; that is, it a production‐limiting disease, characterised slow insidious onset, effects larger proportion of flock than exhibiting clinical signs at any given point time. Aim article: The disease previously reviewed In Practice (Baird 2003). this article we consider updates...

Since the reintroduction of sheep scab within UK, its prevalence has increased despite several industry-led initiatives to control and manage disease. Some studies have suggested that or policies should instead focus on specific places, such as geographically high-risk areas for scab, which could allow a more targeted approach. However, this risk been measured in set geographical areas, without reference interplay topography, host, pathogen way humans socially culturally define place,...

Stewardship of antibiotics used in livestock production has come under increasing scrutiny, from both the animal welfare point view and due to concerns that antibiotic use may pose a risk human health through selection pressure drive development resistant strains bacteria. Despite this concern, however, consumption sheep sector is currently poorly described. This study determines range quantities Northern Irish (NI) flock as well exploring drivers for their use. A mixed-methods approach was...

Abstract Background In order to improve antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), including changes in prescribing and use, an enhanced understanding is needed of the barriers that veterinary surgeons (vets) encounter institute such change. Methods A qualitative approach, using grounded theory, was followed. Interviews discussion groups, with vets farm industry stakeholders Northern Ireland (NI), were undertaken identify explore attitudes behaviours surrounding AMS, a particular emphasis on...

Background : Bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype‐3 (BTV‐3) has been circulating in the Netherlands since September 2023 and was first reported Kent UK November 2023, picked up via annual bluetongue surveillance programme. It is a highly pathogenic strain sheep with limited preventive measures once biting midge population. At time of publication there no BTV‐3 vaccine available cross‐protection from other BTV strains. There are specific antiviral medicines available, therapy focuses on nursing...

There is currently global concern over rising levels of antibiotic resistance among commensal and pathogenic bacteria in human animal populations. Unless urgent action taken by the medical veterinary professions, it thought that we will enter a postantibiotic era which bacterial diseases were readily treatable with antibiotics kill once again. Consequently, use both health industries has come under intense scrutiny. Long‐held ideas accepted behavioural norms have rightly been challenged....

Continuing Veterinary Record's series of articles discussing the state different sectors veterinary profession, Fiona Lovatt reviews role vets in sheep farming UK, arguing that they need to deliver high‐quality, cost‐effective advice secure their position industry.