Beyond the Clinic – a podcast by and for vet professionals
Rachel Forster and Paul Horwood reflect on the significant reduction in antibiotic usage in farming over recent decades. Rachel discusses her work with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group, which focused on improving management practices to reduce reliance on antibiotics without compromising lamb health. She describes how education and consistent communication within farm vet teams were key.
Rachel highlights the importance of minimizing the use of High-Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HPCIA). She shares results from the IVC Evidensia audit, noting a significant decrease in category C antibiotic use.
Looking ahead, they discuss reducing antibiotic use in mastitis and drying-off periods and emphasise the role of vaccination and other preventative measures. Rachel underscores the importance of ongoing communication, education, and support for farmers to continue this progress.
Rachel Forster:
Rachel qualified from RVC in 1997. She joined Market Vets, a mixed practice in North Devon, now part of the IVC Evidensia group. Her current role is as a senior farm vet with a strong interest in the education and training of both clients and vets within her practice and our Graduate Academy.
Rachel is a member of the Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group (SAGG) and in 2023 was awarded the RCVS Knowledge Award for antimicrobial stewardship.
Paul Horwood:
Paul has had a varied career so far, initially an Officer in the military, Paul left and trained as a vet, but kept his links with the military, returning to the front line in Afghanistan in 2012 with the Grenadier Guards.
Paul is currently the Group Veterinary advisor for farm at IVC Evidensia. He qualified from Royal Veterinary College in 2000, and after an internship, joined Westpoint Farm Vets, becoming partner, owner and director along the way, as it grew to 25 practices across the UK.
Paul has a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction from Liverpool University. He's a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer for Vetlife, a member of the BVA council, mental health first aider, and the founder of VetYou, a financial advice platform for the veterinary profession.
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Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast Clinic do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.
Links:
The Medicines Hub: https://ahdb.org.uk/medicine-hub
Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA): https://www.ruma.org.uk
Vet IMPRESS: https://www.vetimpress.com
Published paper on the 2021/22 lambing and caesarean audit: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/knowledge-award-quality-improvement-2023-champion-ovine/