Industry drive to promote control of major diseases
The project promotes better control of BVD , Johne's disease, lameness and mastitis.
A new initiative aims to promote better control of four major diseases affecting dairy cattle - BVD, Johne's disease, lameness and mastitis.
"The project represents a progression from previous regionally based health and welfare projects, towards more co-ordinated delivery," explained Ray Keatinge, head of research and development at DairyCo, which is leading the project.
Not-for-profit organisation DairyCo will work on the campaign with Duchy College, SAC Consulting and XLVets.
The campaign will deliver technical advice to groups of farmers or one-to-one. Advice will be given to those undertaking control measures against BVD and Johne's disease, as well as farmers looking for information about what steps to take for the first time.
A number of events and vet visits will also be funded, including 90 herd health seminars, 100 DairyCo mastitis control plans and 180 farm vet visits under the DairyCo Healthy Feet Programme. On-farm veterinary advice will receive 70 per cent funding from the Regional Development Programme for England (RDPE). Some other events will be free of charge.
Sophie Throup from XLVets Training Services commented: "The new funding will help us continue to work across the industry to build on that knowledge and move forward, both in terms of educating farmers and informing BVD policies in the future."
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
