Over 80 vets have signed up to the Healthy Livestock Initiative in the South West Region- have you signed up yet?

The Healthy Livestock Initiative in the South West of England has been launched. After 2 years or more in the planning phase a robust program of delivery is being rolled out accross the region. There are 5 main strands to the cattle health program.

BVD and Johnes control are proving to popular options .

The farmers are encouraged to take part in the program and recieve training and assistance with disease management. The support and guidance is provided by a HLI trained partner. Ideally this should be their own vet or advisor who has attended a training course. If this is not possible then an alternative vet or advisor will be provided to faciliate the process.

The vets are paid to deliver risk assessments, take surveillance samples and to set up surveillance, biosecurity and control plans for the respective diseases.

The HLI program is a great way to get involved with your farmers. Now is the time to get involved.

For more information on the program please contact Duchy College who are administering the program or refer to the literature which will have already been sent to your practice!

Update on Milk Processor Johne's Programs

Over 300 farmers have been educated in the risks and control options for Johnes control in 6 meetings held in the South West of England. Milk Link have been working closely with the Healthy Livestock Initiative to help deliver a comprehensive Johne's control program for their member farmers. Experienced trainers deliver the initial training for the farmers and the farmers are then able to embark on the full control program within the Healthy Livestock Initiative. This involves vets being paid to help set up Johne's risk, surveillance, biosecurity and control programs for their farmers over a series of visits. It is likely that other milk processors may follow a similar route in the South West and will choose to work together with the Healthy Livestock Program.

Outside of the South West Region a number of the milk processors will be educating their farmers in Johne's disease and the benefits of control. As part of the process they will be encouraged to undertake a 30 cow screen of high risk cows and Myhealthyherd risk assessment. This information is then used to generate a report which is sent to both vet and farmer to prompt discussion and action at farm level.

If you would like to improve your understanding of Johne's disease please contact BCVA and register an interest in the infectious disease management day course.

Contact us on

 enquiries@myhealthyherd.com
pete.orpin@myhealthyherd.com
richard.sibley@myhealthyherd.com