Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 24th January 2024
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Antimicrobial use in dairy cows decreasing, report reveals
All 1,002 dairy herds observed had a decline in antimicrobial use.

2023 saw the largest decrease in use for the past three years.

A recent report into antimicrobial use in dairy cows has shown a decreasing trend in use, with an average of 13.7 mg/kg PCU (population correction unit) used in 2023.

It also found a decline in antimicrobial use in 1,002 contributing dairy herds.

The Kingshay Antimicrobial Focus Report has been conducted annually since 2020, and records the antimicrobial use of dairy herds across the UK. The most recent report collected data from 1,002 dairy herds in the UK, to the year ending March 2023.

The results revealed that antimicrobial use had continued to decline year on year, with the latest statistics showing an average of 13.7 mg/kg PCU. This is the most significant decrease in three years.

In 2023, 52 per cent of herds managed to reduce their total antimicrobial use by an average of 7.4 mg/kg PCU compared to the previous year. This is an improvement on the 2021-2022 comparison, when 36 per cent of herds reduced usage by 5.9 mg/kg PCU.

This year’s report also identifies a decrease in total antimicrobial usage across all herds investigated, with the lowest 25 per cent quartile reducing their usage by an average of 3.64 mg/kg PCU.

These statistics have meant that all regions are currently sitting below the 2024 target of 17.9 mg/kg PCU.

The trends appear to confirm the findings of the Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance 2022 report, which found that sales for food-producing animals have reduced by 59 per cent since 2014.

Dr Tim Potter, co-author of the report, said: “As we consider where we go from here it’s important to remember the target is not zero antimicrobial usage, antibiotics are a key medicine for the treatment of bacterial infections, and as such there will always remain a role for them in animal health,”

“Whenever we use antimicrobials, it’s important we do so in a targeted manner, and we continue with the focus on their responsible use to preserve their effectiveness for both animal and human health."

The full report can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.