Progress on cattle welfare – but more to do
According to the 2014 annual report from the Cattle Health and Welfare Group (CHAWG), while some progress has been made in addressing key issues, the industry faces considerable challenges from changing weather and economic patterns, writes John Sumner.
CHAWG is an industry-wide group with the role of addressing relevant cattle health and welfare issues. It is responsible for prioritising, planning and co-ordinating a programme of economically focused improvements to cattle health and welfare. Funded by Eblex and DairyCo, it deliberately does not include Bovine TB in its remit as it recognises there are already a number of bTB groups/activities in place.
The report notes some definite and tangible progress in efforts to tackle lameness, mastitis, Johne's disease, BVD and mortality. The costs associated with such diseases are considerable. For example, according to DairyCo, when all costs are taken into account, an average case of lameness in a dairy cow is nearly £380.
The good news is that udder health is generally improving, but studies show that a single clinical case of mastitis costs £54 and when other costs such as lost milk yield are factored in, the cost can rise to well over £200.
The CHAWG report, which can be found on the Eblex website, provides considerable and valuable management information on the prevalence, costs and progress of a wide range of the more common diseases that affect cattle, and which have a negative effect on profitability. However, of equal concern are the evolving challenges which the industry faces.
Surveillance from around the UK indicates there have been a number of emerging health and disease threats to the industry over the last two years. It is predicted that the unusually wet weather could have adverse consequences for cattle health, including conditions helpful to the life cycle of some cattle parasites. For example, a surge in liver fluke was noted in 2013.
One of the key messages in this report is for the whole of the UK to collectively prioritise health and welfare issues and set defined targets. So whilst there is good progress to report, there is much for more for all in the industry, including cattle farmers, to do.
* John Sumner is secretary of Shropshire Chamber of Agriculture. He was a member of the original Cattle Health and Welfare Group for England out of which came the current CHAWG which covers Britain.
