Biosecurity app helps Welsh farms improve animal health
© Tim Scrivener Trials of a new biosecurity app on Welsh livestock farms are helping improve animal health and drive down antibiotics use, according to farmers and vets involved in the project.
Around 30 farms and 13 veterinary practices have been using the HerdSafe app as part of the Welsh government-funded Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthficrobaidd Cyfrifol/Responsible Antimicrobial Use) programme.
The initiative aims to tackle antimicrobial resistance by supporting more informed, data-led decision-making on farm.
See also: How a scoring tool can help close gaps in pig biosecurity
Developed by Iechyd Da, in partnership with Cefn Gwlad Solutions, the app allows farmers and vets to carry out on-farm risk assessments using a phone or tablet.
Together, they identify potential biosecurity weaknesses, generate a weighted risk score, and suggest practical actions.
Prioritising changes
NFU Cymru president Abi Reader has been trialling the app on her Vale of Glamorgan farm with vet Morgan Hanks of South Wales Farm Vets.
She said it has improved how biosecurity is discussed and managed.
“The app allows you to be on location with your vet and ask questions ‘live’.
“It’s easier to both spot the areas you may not have considered risky and to discuss options to close down that risk,” she said.
Abi Reader © Mentera
“The results feel like I have better control over shutting down or reducing multiple risk factors.
“Crucially, it helps you focus on what’s achievable and effective and feel positive you’ve made a difference, as opposed to worrying about an enormous to-do list that can be overwhelming and demotivating.”
Reducing antibiotics use
Ms Reader said stronger biosecurity was also contributing to lower antibiotics use on her farm.
“Our antibiotics usage keeps falling, and we are way below the national average at 2mg/kg.
“It’s often never any one change you make, it’s an accumulation of them.
“And that’s what the app is all about: shutting off as many gaps in your health planning as you can.”
However, she stressed the tool is not “a silver bullet” for diseases such as bovine TB, but said it forms “a huge part of the picture”.
Strengthened relationships
Mr Hanks said the app had strengthened vet-farmer conversations.
“It has helped immensely with discussions, and the simple questions trigger more in-depth questions that are more specific to each farm.”
Project partners said the scoring system was key to motivating change, allowing farmers to track progress and assess the impact of improvements over time.