Antimicrobial use on dairy farms across the UK continues to drop, according to Kingshay’s latest Dairy Antimicrobial Focus Report.
The dairy consultancy’s report draws on data from 1,002 dairy herds across the UK in the year to March 2023 and shows that antimicrobial usage has declined year-on-year to an average of 13.7mg/kg PCU (population correction unit).
A larger decrease in antimicrobial use was witnessed in 2023 than in the previous three years.
52% of herds sampled reduced their total antimicrobial usage by an average of 7.4mg/kg PCU between 2022 and 2023.
This is a marked improvement on 2021-2022, where 36% of herds reduced their usage by 5.9 mg/kg PCU.
Antimicrobial usage
The report also highlights a decrease in total antimicrobial usage across all herds, with the lowest 25% quartile reducing on average by 3.64mg/kg PCU.
The trends in Kingshay’s third Dairy Antimicrobial Focus Report also confirm the findings of the Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance 2022 Report, which showed that UK antibiotic sales for food-producing animals have reduced by 59% since 2014.
According to Kingshay and Westpoint Farm Vets senior clinical director and report co-author, Dr. Tim Potter, the change highlights the determination and perseverance of farmers and vets to continue to reduce antimicrobial usage.
“As we consider where we go from here it’s important to remember the target is not zero antimicrobial usage, antibiotics are a key medicine for the treatment of bacterial infections, and there will always remain a role for them in animal health,” he said.
“Whenever we use antimicrobials, it’s important we do so in a targeted manner, and we continue with the focus on their responsible use to preserve their effectiveness for both animal and human health.”
Kingshay antimicrobial product owner Christina Ford, who co-authored the report, said:
“All regions are now sitting below the 2024 target of 17.9 mg/kg PCU, with Wales showing a marked improvement with a rate of 31% reduction in antimicrobial usage.
“The group of highest users, when analysed as a quartile, reduced their usage. This was an improvement on last year when the group had increased their total antimicrobial usage.
“This shows everyone is making significant improvements. We’re positive that higher users, due to disease outbreaks, will continue to work with their vets and advisors to help control these situations.”
