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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

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA survey investigates sheep worrying

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has launched its latest survey to better understand the severity of sheep worrying in the UK.

The survey will be open until Friday, 21 February 2025. UK sheep farmers are invited to share their experiences of sheep worrying by dogs and its impact on the industry.

NSA has been gathering information about sheep worrying for over 10 years as part of its campaign to raise awareness of incidents and produce new ways of educating the public.

Sheep worrying, often caused by dogs being loose near fields, can result in physical injury, miscarriage and death of animals affected.

The results of the survey will be shared with interested parties, including the UK press, before spring and ahead of lambing season next year.

For more information, or to complete the survey, visit NSA's website.