UK Dairy Farms Achieve Significant Reduction in Antibiotic Use

According to the Kingshay Antimicrobial Focus Report, UK dairy farmers have successfully reduced antimicrobial use ahead of the targets set by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) in November. The report analyzed data from 967 dairy herds across 136 veterinary practices, showing a decrease in average antimicrobial use to 12.2 mg/kg PCU in 2025, down from 12.7 mg/kg in 2024 and 15.7 mg/kg in 2020.

The targets set by RUMA, which are effective from 2025 to 2029, include a 10% year-on-year reduction in calf oral antibiotic use, alongside reductions in lactating and dry cow tube use. These targets have already been met, with calf oral antibiotic use dropping by 24% between 2024 and 2025 to 1.05 mg/kg PCU.

Emma Puddy, a co-author of the report, highlighted the substantial decrease in the use of injectable highest priority critically important antimicrobials, which have fallen by 98.3% over seven years to 0.005 mg/kg PCU. Despite this progress, regional differences remain significant, with the lowest average antimicrobial use recorded in the south and southeast of England at 10.4 mg/kg PCU, compared to 14.9 mg/kg PCU in the north.

The report also notes that more than half of the herds moved between usage quartiles year-on-year, indicating rapid changes in response to health challenges. Michael Head, a Kingshay consultant, emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring and effective vaccination strategies to sustain these reductions and minimize reliance on antibiotics.

As the industry moves forward with the new targets in place through 2029, continued focus on herd-level practices, particularly in regions with higher antibiotic use, will be essential for maintaining progress.