Last week I attended a very well run national One Health event. It was a call to action on the challenge of antibiotic resistance. The Irish farmers Journal, Xlvets Ireland and Virtual Vet, are already taking action on this key issue through Project Engage.

It is great to see the early results from this project driven by the vets and farmers involved. All on-farm antibiotic usage has been measured for the last three years. We have targeted areas for reduction and, through regular vet visits, we are improving animal health.

On the dairy farm of John Cummins, they identified managing calcium for next spring as a priority

Most importantly, the farmers understand more about antibiotic usage on their farms.

Vet Ger Cusack of Comeragh Vets and his clients have been championing the project since inception. On the dairy farm of John Cummins, they identified managing calcium for next spring as a priority. This is based on silage analysis and previous challenges.

They also worked hard on selective dry cow therapy, with even more emphasis placed on hygiene.

John has moved away from his use of critically important antibiotics (CIAs), which are used in frontline human medicine, to amoxicillin at drying off.

They have also engaged in selective dry cow therapy

Vet John Healy of Glasslyn and his client Barry Walsh also have made a move away from CIAs at drying off.

They have also engaged in selective dry cow therapy. However, following strep agalactiae (bacteria) being identified in cultures, they decided to go back to blanket therapy this year. They have also walked through winter housing and are making small adjustments.

The next visit will be focused on preparing for spring. John and his clients have really begun to think differently about antibiotics.

They are all finding it exciting to look at the positive impacts of reducing antibiotic use.

Riverview vet John Salmon also completed several visits. Mastitis was identified as a key use of antibiotics on one farm.

They changed some treatments but also focused on areas to reduce the risk of mastitis.

One of the farms has also been dealing with a lot of calf pneumonia over the last few years. Their attention now turns to reviewing calf health, housing and a vaccine strategy.

All the visits consisted of a range of diagnostic testing which is influencing decision-making around dosing and vaccination. It is very early days, but some points to note are:

  • All farms after measuring are using low amounts of antibiotics per kg.
  • All the dairy farms have now considered or are starting selective dry cow therapy.
  • The farmers have really got to understand why we need to remove CIAs from treatments.
  • The vets are really embracing the proactive approach by being on-farm ahead of risk times.
  • Positive professional relationships are developing, with the vets and farmers working closely as a team.