Royal Welsh Show 2014: Online tool to make sheep health planning easier

MSD Animal Health has been showcasing its new flock health-planning tool at this weeks’ Royal Welsh Show.

Expertis LivestockPro is an easy-to-use online application that features an interactive calendar to help sheep farmers plan treatments for the year ahead.

The electronic planner was designed following a survey of 250 sheep farmers that showed only one-quarter of respondents actually had a flock health plan in place.

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Key features of the application include:

• Alerts that can be set up to remind producers of forthcoming vaccinations so they won’t forget secondary doses

• A feature that keeps track of vaccine stock levels on the farm and reminds users to order supplies before they’re needed

• Best practice guidance on vaccine administration, with expert-led video tutorials and leaflets advising farmers on correct dosage rates

• A facility that records key information required for medicine records, therefore reducing time and bureaucracy

Speaking to Farmers Weekly at the show, MSD’s Marcus Sanders said it would help “bridge a gap” between vets and animal health advisers to help farmers plan better.

The plan can be tailored to a farm’s individual needs and further treatments, such as for parasites, can be scheduled during the year.

Mr Sanders said the programme should improve sheep health and best practice across the industry.

He added: “Shepherds will no longer have to rely on memory or written records to schedule animal health treatments.

“Embracing the digital system will certainly save time and money, and ultimately reduce livestock losses from key sheep diseases.”

The planner will be available from November this year and is free to use. To register your interest visit www.livestockpro.co.uk