livestock offset the rapidly rising costs. But it’s important to consider the implications. We know that parasitic worm burdens for example, are associated with significant costs which could hit producers’ pockets further down the line,” says Mr Marsh. To help producers continue to implement robust worming programmes, he explains that Elanco, who has manufactured Flubenvet™ for over 20 years, is offering the product at a more cost-effective price following a review of their supply structure. “We want to support egg producers in keeping up their routine worming programmes so that they can continue to achieve optimum levels of bird growth, performance and production efficiency, while balancing financial returns.” Due to the large number of different species of worms and the way that laying hens are housed, Mr Marsh explains that the risk of these damaging parasites is inevitable. “Free range birds are at constant risk of developing an infestation, as they can ingest the parasite from faeces inside and outside the shed. Worm eggs are very resistant and can survive on the ground for up to one year and so now they’re back on the ranges they could be exposed to new challenges,” he explains. Mr Marsh encourages producers to work alongside their vet to review the worm challenges present on their farm and implement a worming programme accordingly. “There’s a number of different species that can be problematic and it’s important that the worming programme takes this into consideration. The ideal solution is to use a wormer that tackles all species at all stages to give a full spectrum of control,” he adds. To find out more about how a preventive programme could support flock health and protect your profits, please contact ElancoUK@elanco. com or call 01256 353131.
The
VET
The Greening of Sustainable Envy
By Andy Cant Northvet Veterinary Group I now get a monthly email from our veterinary wholesaler to tell me how many trees they have planted to offset the carbon impact of packaging and delivering my drug order. Really? Apparently so and it makes everything sustainable. The cynic in me thinks what a lot of nonsense but then again maybe I’m being a laggard on the adoption curve of going out of your way to show what your business is doing to embrace sustainable values. Sustainability of any business is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability to meet the needs of the future. Where do you start? Luckily in the veterinary profession a group called Vet Sustain has teamed up with other veterinary associations to give guidance falling into four categories. 1. Business Resources – using energy saving devices and renewable
energy, less disposables – we use lots, syringes, drapes (I wondered why we’ve kept those old glass and metal syringes from years ago, and cloth drapes – back to the future!). We’ve started emailing out invoices rather than posting to save on paper 2. Business Operation – minimise anaesthetic gases (Nitrous Oxide we no longer use), promoting animal welfare and supporting welfare friendly agriculture (I would like to think we’ve always been doing that!) Reducing business travel (tricky for an ambulatory vet practice) We’ve not yet made the jump to electric vehicles but that may not be far off. 3. Responsible Medicine use – again something I would like to think we have been onto for some years now. But perhaps one that
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brings the above definition of sustainability into focus. Irresponsible use now = no useable medicines in the future. 4. Empower the team – don’t forget your people! Health and wellbeing. With 50% of vets leaving the profession after 6yrs we have a bit of catch up to do here So, what are you doing in your business to embrace the new thinking and to shout about it? Sustainable animal agriculture must be environmentally, ethically and economically acceptable to us all, consumers, producers and wider society. As demand for food gets greater, we must take care not to compromise animal welfare over human need and animal welfare, in itself, must be seen as a key sustainability objective. So, let’s do it well and make the rest of the world greener with envy.
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