Sheep Lameness

HCC is seeking tenders for co-ordination of a pilot project on sheep lameness. 44% of farmers on the Stoc+ project have lameness as an animal health priority. Lameness control advice has not altered greatly in recent years, and there is a need to ensure the key messages are taken up by the industry.The purpose of this project is to ensure that farmers are carrying out best practice and following the relevant parts of the lameness 5-point plan bespoke to individual farms. This project would look at farmers’ attitudes towards lameness and current on-farm practices, support and encourage increased recording of lameness incidence and assess what elements of the 5-point plan are being implemented before and after receiving advice. The advice will be given by a technical expert during group meetings, to be arranged by the successful tenderer and covering matters as set out below and through visits by the project co-ordinator.The initial stages of the project will consist of 4 group meetings to take place across Wales, in which Stoc+ farms from each region will be invited to attend. Prior to the meeting information will be collected on current lameness control and management policies. This will be done by a questionnaire completed during registration.The 4 group meetings will provide advice to farmers on how to implement best practice on farm and also highlight the desired outcomes from the project. It is proposed that the meetings will consist of a presentation by a lameness technical expert, followed by an open discussion with the farmers. These meetings will be followed by a farm visit or an online call from the successful tenderer which will set out a bespoke lameness plan for the farmer.Farmers will also be required to answer a questionnaire at the end of the project to assess the changes that have been implemented. The questionnaire will ask the farmers to share their knowledge and experience as a result of Stoc+ interventions, the group meetings and the farm visit/online call.The results will be disseminated to the industry to highlight the key findings and learnings from this pilot project.NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=121518.

(WA Ref:121518)Relates to the following project/programme financed by EU Community Funds: Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020.