Organisations from across the farming industry have launched the Calf Health campaign to raise awareness of proactive health planning.
The cattle antibiotics group, consisting of the NFU, Red Tractor, Farmers’ Union of Wales and others, have launched the new cross-industry initiative to improve calf health.
The campaign, which will be running until 26 October, covers all parts of the beef and dairy calf production systems and will focus on three areas: identification and appropriate treatment, review planning and disease prevention.
The group has worked, with support from Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), to produce the campaign.
The group was established following the RUMA Targets Task Force report launched in October 2017. It has worked on a strategy and have formulated an action plan to encourage the responsible use of antibiotics in cattle.
Member of the antibiotics group and NFU dairy board vice chairman, Paul Tompkins said calf health is of "utmost importance" to beef and dairy farmers.
“Undertaking a proactive approach to health planning is key to minimising any threats of disease,” Mr Tompkins said.
“Rearing calves can pose many challenges – from colostrum management to the transition from unit to unit – so it is important to think ahead and have a strategy in place to be able to successfully deal with and prevent ill health.
He added: “It is fantastic to see so many cross-industry organisations come together in support of this campaign and provide an initiative that will benefit farmers, their businesses and their animals.”
Tim Potter, member of the antibiotics group and veterinary surgeon and consultant, said: “Taking simple proactive steps to maximise health can ensure calf welfare and performance while helping to reduce the need for antibiotic use on farm.”
The cattle antibiotics group, which covers both beef and dairy, includes the NFU, NFU Scotland, Ulster Farmers’ Union, Farmers’ Union of Wales, AHDB, British Cattle Veterinary Association, Red Tractor, Livestock Auctioneers Association, Dairy UK, and National Office of Animal Health.
