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The Farm Health Planning initiative, led by producers and vets in partnership with DEFRA, has been running successfully for some time and is already well known by farm assured producers.

Specialist poultry vet Michael Clark, of Minster Vets, is keen to get more producers developing their own health plan in order to reap the performance benefits it brings.

Mr Clark and British Poultry Council vet, Daniel Parker, will be leading interactive workshops on Farm Health Planning at this year's British Pig and Poultry Fair on the 13th and 14th May. The workshop, part of the Industry Outlook programme of forums and workshops new to the Fair this year, will run at 12.00pm on both days in the workshop theatre between halls 1 and 2.

Producers from all sectors, whether it is broiler, free range duck or seasonal turkey production, are invited to attend the interactive workshop. Mr Clark will guide producers through the thought process involved in developing a written farm health plan, from a blank sheet of paper to a completed document, and advise on how to make sure that what is on paper is effective in practice.

"We will help producers who may only just have started to think about health planning, those who are already in the process and those who have been following a plan for a while," he says. "In fact, one of the most important points about a farm health plan is that it must be regularly reviewed and kept current; ideally it should be reviewed every crop cycle, at about 41 days for broilers for example or 50 weeks for layers."

Designed to help producers manage their flock's health and performance proactively, Farm Health Planning also means that farms hold a written document which demonstrates consistently high production standards to buyers and consumers.

"Certainly, over the next couple of years, I expect that every producer will feel compelled to ensure they have their own effective health plan, driven either by the requirements of the consumer or the legislative bodies - or both," says Mr Clark.

"A farm health plan should contain procedures and records covering management of a site's housing, feed, water and medication, to name the key areas," he explains. Mr Clark is keen to emphasise that, while all health plans must include details of medication such as planned vaccination schedules and records of treatment, husbandry is always the priority.

"Maintaining a clean, stable environment for the birds and providing feed and water of consistent quality is essential. The data you should record as part of the health plan includes water consumption, mortality, eggs per day or daily growth rate," he continues. "Thorough disinfection at turnaround is also key and it is important to take swabs to make sure that the burden of microbes is reduced."

Just as important, is to include contingency planning for notifiable diseases, Mr Clark emphasises. "Producers often worry that the arrival of a notifiable disease in their area would mean drastic consequences for their business. But, by working with a vet to develop a contingency plan specific to your site, it is possible to make sure it keeps operating normally during a disease incidence. Biosecurity measures and knowledge of the key points of contact within the authorities are key points for inclusion.

"Producers need to be able to see more than just the fact that livestock looks healthy on a given day. Keeping regular records of health and performance means you have accurate information to assist with ongoing management plans and to demonstrate consistent production standards to buyers.

"Every time you review your plan, ask yourself: has the plan kept the birds healthy? Make sure the document is actually helping to achieve your health and performance targets. Remember, there is little point using a generic document - your plan must be specific to your own site and flock," he concludes.

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