In part four of our focus on the work of COWS, RUMA has a Q&A session with the award-winning Mark Pass, who is the SQP representative on the group.
Mark has been an AMTRA Registered Animals Medicine Advisor (RAMA), also known as an SQP, for nearly 20 years and is dedicated to championing the positive role and impact RAMAs can have across the animal medicines industry. He is a former winner of the AMTRA SQP of the year award and is an Over The Counter Gold Standard SQP.
RUMA: “From an SQP perspective, how can COWS help an SQP in their role?”
Mark: “There is no doubt in my mind that COWS can play a key role in the SQP’s day-to- day job. It’s an exceptional resource and the ‘go to place’ for SQP’s to either look something up that they are unsure of or use the fact sheet resources such as the guides below, to help them either engage more with their dairy and beef farmer customers or, just give themselves as an SQP a lot more confidence, as these guides are very informative.
Furthermore, by the SQP having that extra knowledge and confidence, this can transfer to the farmer, giving them more trust in their SQP whom they will naturally see much more frequently than their vet.”
These are just some of the COWS resources Mark uses in his role as an SQP:
Control of roundworms in cattle (COWS Guide, September 2023)
Control of lungworm in cattle (COWS Guide, September 2023)
Responsible use and disposal of parasite treatments (COWS, December 2022)
integrated-240823.pdf (cattleparasites.org.uk)
RUMA: “How did you first get involved with COWS?”
Mark: “Over the years I’ve always had lots of engagement with both the COWS and SCOPS groups, through my SQP qualification and the CPD sessions that the groups were heavily involved in.
“I formed excellent relationships with the members of both these groups. However, it was in 2022 following my recent Masters research study and my thesis on lungworm in cattle through my MSc qualification in veterinary pharmacy, that vet Rob Howe a current COWS member, suggested that they approached myself about becoming an active member of the COWS group. I quickly accepted. COWS is a voluntary initiative aiming to provide the best available, evidence-based information to the beef and dairy cattle industries, and I am very excited to be part of this important industry group.”
RUMA: “How has COWS made a difference in your role as an SQP?”
Mark: “Being an SQP which is a regulated profession, brings with it important responsibilities, so I always endeavour to give the best possible advice to each customer, no matter how long it takes. I can honestly say that COWS has made a big difference in my role as an SQP just knowing that the resources are always available and easily accessible to look back on, and these continue to further enhance my knowledge. I’m so passionate about parasitology and the SQP role within the Industry and I’m regarded as a ‘trusted advisor’ by UK farmers; this has also helped me win a few national awards and COWS has certainly played a part in helping me achieve this.”
RUMA: “What would you say to encourage SQPs to make more use of COWS resources?”
Mark: “COWS provides resources that are very informative which will not only help you in your development as an SQP, but also equip you to give the best possible advice to your dairy and beef customers.
“As an R-SQP I have played a vital role, alongside vets, improving health and performance of herds and flocks alike, whilst also increasing efficiency and cost effectiveness on farm. The role involves daily commitment to providing pro-active advice and guidance to farmers. COWS has been a big part of this year-round daily commitment, by gaining knowledge or just confirming what you thought was right, is right! Anthelmintic resistance is an area of particular interest to me, which also led me to making use of the materials offered by COWS.”
RUMA: “Thanks Mark. Is there anything else you would like to add?”
Mark: “I take my role as a R-SQP (RAMA) very seriously and am acutely aware of the huge responsibilities it entails.
“I am proactive in herd/flock health planning to enhance animal welfare and increase profitability while ensuring the responsible use of medicines is key. As farm health planning has developed in more recent years, I’ve been very active in adding my SQP and parasitology advice to that of the farm vets both locally and nationally. This joined up thinking and planning is universally popular with farmers and vets alike and I believe is a shining example of co-operation between the two sides of the animal health industry. COWS has been instrumental in allowing me to achieve this.
“I’m continuing to use COWS advice in my relatively new ‘field trainer role’ at Zoetis; its giving me a real chance to spread my knowledge to a national health audience.”