Free sheep flock antibiotics calculator released

A practical tool for calculating flock-level antibiotics use has been launched for sheep farmers.

The University of Nottingham Sheep Antimicrobial Usage Calculator is an online programme aiming to measure antibiotics use to meet Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (Ruma) Alliance industry targets.

Designed by the University’s Ruminant Population Health Group, the programme shows usage in defined daily dose (DDD), defined course dose (DCD) and mg/PCU (population corrected unit).

Data is inputted for specific farms and all antibiotics registered for use in sheep can be selected in drop down menus.

The tool is designed to estimate usage using standard European Medicine Agency methodology, using a standard weight for sheep for PCU calculations.

Visit the Sheep Veterinary Society website to download the calculator.