Abstract
We are seeking to recruit farmers for a Scottish government-funded research project on veterinary medicines use in beef cattle, and are keen to hear from any vets that could help us.
Diseases are responsible for reductions in animal welfare and performance, and compromise the sustainability of livestock farming. It is critical that medicines are applied appropriately to ensure they have maximum efficacy; inappropriate treatment timing, dosage or choice represent unnecessary financial costs and may contribute to the evolution of drug resistance.
The impact of disease on animal performance has mainly been quantified in controlled experimental settings. We have surprisingly little information on the impacts of disease under farm conditions, where animals experience challenge with multiple pathogens and seasonal fluctuations in nutritional and reproductive states.
Veterinary treatment records are routinely collected and can provide information on both the medicines practices on farm, and the diseases that animals are affected by.
The project aims to:
▪ Provide a better understanding of veterinary medicines use in UK beef cattle and identify factors associated with variation in medicines use, such as location, seasonality and farm characteristics; and
▪ Link medicines records with abattoir data to identify associations between diseases and performance parameters, such as slaughter age and carcase parameters.
Diseases are responsible for reductions in animal welfare and performance, and compromise the sustainability of livestock farming. It is critical that medicines are applied appropriately to ensure they have maximum efficacy; inappropriate treatment timing, dosage or choice represent unnecessary financial costs and may contribute to the evolution of drug resistance.
The impact of disease on animal performance has mainly been quantified in controlled experimental settings. We have surprisingly little information on the impacts of disease under farm conditions, where animals experience challenge with multiple pathogens and seasonal fluctuations in nutritional and reproductive states.
Veterinary treatment records are routinely collected and can provide information on both the medicines practices on farm, and the diseases that animals are affected by.
The project aims to:
▪ Provide a better understanding of veterinary medicines use in UK beef cattle and identify factors associated with variation in medicines use, such as location, seasonality and farm characteristics; and
▪ Link medicines records with abattoir data to identify associations between diseases and performance parameters, such as slaughter age and carcase parameters.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Volume | 192 |
| Edition | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Print publication - 17 Mar 2023 |
Publication series
| Name | Veterinary Record |
|---|---|
| Publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| ISSN (Print) | 0042-4900 |
Keywords
- Legislation, Veterinary
- Animals
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Drugs