AHDB Monitor Farmer identifies new ways to reduce costs and build farm resilience

As farmers are faced with increased financial challenges, one AHDB Beef & Lamb Monitor Farmer is trialing a new way to reduce his overhead costs and labour input.

Harry Sordy, who farms in partnership with his family, is looking to implement a new worming protocol based on the latest scientific research for his flock of over 4,500 lambs, which could prove to give big savings. 

Targeted selective treatment (TST) is where animals are selected for treatment on an individual, rather than group basis, and has the potential to cut labour and medicine costs whilst also reducing the risk of anthelmintic resistance, a rising problem facing the industry. 

Harry Sordy recently joined AHDB Beef & Lamb’s Monitor Farm programme which has given him access to specialist consultants and the latest research, which has supported him through making these management changes. Harry plans to conduct a trial using TST on one group of lambs, with the aim of reducing anthelmintic use in that group by 50%, whilst maintaining growth rates. 

Farm vet, Joe Henry from Blacksheep Farm Health who is working with Harry on the trial says: “It’s important that we protect the effectiveness of the wormers we have available by reducing selection for resistance. TST can help us move away from whole group treatments without compromising performance.” 

On-farm meeting: see it for yourself! 

Harry will be hosting an on-farm meeting on Wednesday 8 June, 10:30am – 1:30pm, where you can find out more about the implementation of TST and hear about some of the other management changes being made to reduce reliance on fertiliser and build farm resilience. You can book your free place online here.

AHDB’s Farm Excellence network of Strategic Farms and Monitor Farms open up their businesses to share best practice, practical demonstrations of the latest research and networking opportunities through regional discussion groups. To find out more, visit: www.ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/beef-lamb