An innovative on-farm selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) service that has been adopted nationwide in New Zealand is being trialled by a Worcestershire vet practice.
Meadows Farm Vets has teamed up with Norbrook to provide the on-farm service, which they hope will significantly lower the rate of mastitis and reduce the use of antibiotics in dairy farming in the UK.
The practice director at Meadows Farm Vets, Richard Aylett, said that while many dairy farmers had adopted best practice for teat sealants and the responsible use of antimicrobials, many were still anxious.
The practice has invested in a unique, purpose-built drying-off trailer that allows up to six cows to be treated at the same time – enabling a team of four veterinary surgeons and technicians to treat up to 300 cows per day.
Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary gland and udder tissue, and is a major endemic disease in dairy cattle, occurring as an immune response to bacterial invasion of the teat canal by a variety of bacterial sources present on farms.
“Protocol changes all the time, so it can be difficult to keep up with new drying-off procedures,” Mr Aylett said. “Our service aims to ease the pressure on farmers and treats the whole herd on the same day with each cow being treated individually.
“Our team is able to treat the cows through selective dry cow therapy, applying teat sealant and advising on the use of antibiotics.
“It’s an idea that has been tested and proven in the southern hemisphere, and we hope it gathers pace as a new service for the UK market.”
Meadows Farm Vets will use NoroSeal – Norbrook’s teat sealant – and farmers will receive a copy of Norbrook’s best practice guide for on-farm mastitis control.
“We look forward to working together with Norbrook to encourage best practice in the use of selective dry cow therapy,” Mr Aylett added.
For more information visit: www.udderhealthuk.co.uk.
