Animal Health Challenge for Cattle Farmers
In suckled calf to beef benchmarked farms, veterinary and medicine costs for the top 25 percent of farms were 60 percent of those of the bottom 25 percent of the farms. This is only the direct costs of poor health. Higher levels of disease often leads to reduced animal performance. Healthy livestock are more productive, profitable and consumers want food produced from healthy animals.
Aim
To help you improve the performance and welfare of your cattle through planned health management. This should minimise disease incidence on your farm.
To help you improve the performance and welfare of your cattle through planned health management. This should minimise disease incidence on your farm.
Benefits to your business
Taking part will help you:
Taking part will help you:
- Improve the health and welfare of your livestock
- Reduce the risk of disease affecting your farm
- Reduce veterinary and medicine costs
- Improve profitability
- Grow your business
What is involved?
This challenge addresses the principal animal health issues on cattle and sheep farms. Topics covered include:
This challenge addresses the principal animal health issues on cattle and sheep farms. Topics covered include:
- Bio security
- Respiratory diseases of cattle
- Metabolic disease of cattle
- Bacterial diseases of cattle
- Reproductive diseases of cattle
Local group meetings will help you learn from others whilst also receiving support from your local Beef & Sheep Development Adviser. There will be best practice visits and advice from veterinary practitioners to demonstrate how you can make improvements on your farm. On completion, there is an opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification.
How do I find out more?
If you would like more information on any of the Challenges please contact Challenge Administration:
If you would like more information on any of the Challenges please contact Challenge Administration:
or contact your local Development Adviser.



