Farmers can read the latest developments in on-farm work to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with the launch of Arwain DGC’s Proof of Concept Farm end of workstream booklet.
Funded by the Welsh Government, and facilitated by Mentera, the Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthficrobaidd Cyfrifol / Responsible Antimicrobial Use) programme helps vets, farmers, and horse owners in Wales to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by promoting animal health and productivity, training, the application of new technology, data gathering and analysis, and research.
Part of the award-winning Arwain DGC programme’s approach has been establishing a network of Proof of Concept (POC) farms where new technologies are trialled, and best practices are undertaken to reduce the need to use antimicrobials in livestock.
The 11 dairy, sheep, and beef farms are spread throughout Wales, and each has undertaken projects tailored to the specific needs of their farms and livestock. These include precision agriculture techniques for better animal monitoring, disease prevention, and biosecurity improvements to prevent illness on farm, therefore avoiding the need to use antibiotics.
Working with their vets and with support and advice from Arwain DGC’s technical experts, the majority of the POC farms have reported improvements in animal health and welfare, reducing antimicrobial use and crucially increasing productivity and financial returns.
AMR is classed as a ‘One Health’ problem which impacts human and animal health, and if nothing is done, by 2050, AMR could be responsible for as many as 10 million human deaths. Overuse of antibiotics in animals contributes to the rise of AMR, making it harder to treat infections.
Dewi Hughes, Arwain DGC’s programme manager, said:
“Everyone has a part to play in addressing the challenge of AMR to ensure that we have effective and available antibiotics to treat diseases effectively in the future, safeguarding the health of both people and animals.
“Through innovative technology and ‘good practice’, we have demonstrated that a significant reduction in the need for antimicrobials can be achieved, whilst also supporting productivity. Therefore, this booklet aims to provide practical examples on action taken on farm, and the results seen on these POC farms.
“Also, as part of the wider Arwain DGC project, each farm has participated in the University of Bristol environmental sampling work and trialled the Biosecurity App developed by Iechyd Da. Many of the farms’ vets are also part of the Veterinary Prescribing Champions (VPC) network, and each farm has worked with their vet to complete the Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers’ AMU calculator to record and track their use of antimicrobials.
“We hope these examples will inspire farmers and give them the confidence to explore the benefits of reducing antimicrobial use on their farms whilst also raising the standards of Welsh farm produce and addressing the AMR challenge.”
Contained in the booklet are profiles and updates on the activities and achievements at each farm. Antimicrobial usage data from the POC farms shows a reduction of between 17% and 92% – with an overall average reduction of 46%.
The POC booklet was launched during an open day at Marcross Farm in the Vale of Glamorgan, where the Evans family have been trialling an automatic footbath to reduce lameness in their dairy herd and are embarking on trialling an AI surveillance system. Since installing the automatic footbath there has been a marked improvement in herd health, and the farm’s antimicrobial usage decreased to 7.6mg/kg in 2024 – which is below the national average for UK dairy herds.
Farmer Hopkin Evans said:
“It is important to share independent research into new technologies, and since being part of the trial, we've seen a decrease in Digital Dermatitis in the milking herd and in our antimicrobial use. There has also been a decrease in labour, and the automatic footbath means the safer handling of chemicals.”
The Proof of Concept booklet is available in hard copy and on the Arwain DGC website: https://rhaglenni.mentera.cymru/arwaindgc/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/03/Proof-of-Concept-Farms-2025-Booklet.pdf
