A drop-in ‘clinic’ will be in operation at Dairy-Tech (7 February at the NAC, Stoneleigh) to help vets and farmers discuss antibiotic treatments on dairy farms and generate ideas for reducing, refining or replacing use.

The dairy sector has been charged with reducing its use of antibiotics by 20% by 2020, as well as halving use of the highest priority antibiotics. The clinic, organised by RUMA and manned throughout the day by different researchers and vets, will offer advice on a variety of topics supporting this change – from disease prevention to data recording and behaviour change on-farm.

With teat sealant use expected to rise as a result of increasing selective dry cow therapy, vet Owen Atkinson will be on hand to demonstrate the MilkSure training programme developed by the British Cattle Veterinary Association and Dairy UK.

The University of Nottingham’s new antibiotic use calculator will be put through its paces by Professor Martin Green and John Remnant, and Fraser Broadfoot from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate will discuss the targets, usage and data recording.

Tackling lameness and managing youngstock to cut antibiotic use will be the main areas covered by AHDB’s Dr Jenny Gibbons, and Dr Kristen Reyher of the University of Bristol & RUMA’s Independent Scientific Group will be talking high priority antibiotics and behaviour change.

The schedule for the specialists is:
• 9.45-10.30am; 1.45-2.30pm: Owen Atkinson, Dairy Veterinary Consultancy
• 10am-12pm: Professor Martin Green & John Remnant, University of Nottingham
• 11am-1pm: Fraser Broadfoot, Veterinary Medicines Directorate
• 12-2pm: Dr Jenny Gibbons, AHDB
• 2.30-4pm: Dr Kristen Reyher, University of Bristol & RUMA Independent Scientific Group

The drop-in antibiotics clinic will be at I71 in Hall 1, and RUMA personnel will be on hand throughout the day to discuss issues around antibiotic use as well as the #ColostrumIsGold campaign running throughout February.