What is Stoc+?
Working with farmers and vets to promote proactive flock and herd health management, to help Wales lead the world in animal welfare, sustainability and efficiency.
Stoc+ aims to support beef and sheep farmers in Wales to work closely with their vets on proactive animal health planning. This programme builds on the importance of animal health and welfare in improving production efficiency and sustainability.
Working on the ground with hundreds of farmers and vets, sharing the latest research and best practice
The project will bring together up to 500 flocks and herds from across Wales in order to enhance flock and herd health planning. HCC will be supported by partner organisations and vets to:
- improve farm sustainability;
- help returns and business development;
- extend already high welfare standards; and
- increase consumer confidence.
How it works
Each participating farmer will receive practical, expert advice and specialist support in planning animal health on their farm for up to 3 years. They will benefit from a tailor-made Flock and Herd Health Plan and Action Plan, with veterinary review visits, professional guidance and support from local practitioners to work towards agreed targets.
Each participating farm is assigned a dedicated Stoc+ Officer who will visit the farm and conduct the initial visit with the farmer. The project will work with the farm’s chosen vet practice and Vet.
The Stoc+ Visits
Main purpose of visit? Collect information on animal health management for the last 12 months, including vaccination and worm control information.
What happens? The Stoc+ Officer will visit the farm and run through an initial questionnaire to collect information on farm production and health issues, current animal health management as well as gather general farm data. A key objective is to work with the farmer, identify the most important health issues in the flock and/or herd that could be addressed to improve the performance of the enterprise
Who carries this out? The Stoc+ Officer who has been assigned to the individual farm.
Main purpose of the visit? Identify key health planning priorities and recommendations with the Vet and develop a tailored action plan for the farm.
What happens? This visit can be completed on-farm or at the veterinary practice. During the visit, the vet will use the information gathered during the initial visit to set priorities and recommendations for the flock or herd based on the farm’s animal health plan. Using the priorities and recommendations from the Vet a simple tailored action plan is developed for the farm after the visit. This is shared with the Vet and the farmer and is a basis for key animal health planning activities over the next year.
Who carries this out? The Stoc+ Officer and Farm Vet
Main purpose of the visit? Carry out veterinary work associated with the Stoc+ Action Plan.
What happens? The vet will visit the farm to follow up the veterinary work associated with the Stoc+ Action Plan. The vet will work with the farmer to tackle the issues highlighted during the first vet visit and offer advice and support to ensure that the tailored Stoc + Action Plan can be followed and benefit the sheep or beef enterprise.
Who carries this out? The Farm Vet
Main purpose? Review progress and assess any changes that have been introduced since the last visit.
What happens? Farmers are phoned to review the progress to date with their tailored Stoc + action plan. During the call, the farmer will discuss the priorities and recommendations and inform the officer how many have been taken up through the Stoc+ actions.
Who carries this out? The Stoc+ Officer
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