A new farm audit tool launched by MSD.

MSD has launched an on farm audit tool that allows vets to assess suckler herd performance, called the ‘Animal Health Suckler Herd Performance Checklist’. The audit tool also allows vets to produce action plans for farmers to optimise herd health. Five vets developed the tool because of their experiences at work, in beef production. Furthermore, they also based their evidence on economic data, industry recommendations and clinical research. Performance assessments can be conducted by the vets across five different stages of the animal’s life and periods that impact suckler herd achievement.
A vet from Howells Veterinary Services, Ellie Button, stated: : “It can be used to provide confidence to vets who are less experienced with suckler herds and allow them to have a structured evidence based approach on farm.”
Kat Baxter Smith, a MSD Livestock Veterinary Advisor, stated: : “A similar style of checklist has been available to young stock rearing units in the dairy industry for more than a year, with several vets reporting it has proved integral in their work with farmers to help reduce calf morbidity and mortality rates.”