As demand for sustainable and holistic agricultural practices grows, many dairy farmers are exploring complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) to support herd health.
A recent study from the University of Bristol has revealed that open discussions about CAM could improve farmer-veterinarian relationships, reduce antibiotic use, and enhance herd management.
This study provides valuable insight into how British dairy farmers perceive and utilize CAM, and introduces a variety of treatments and approaches.
What are complementary and alternative medicines?
Complementary and alternative medicines include treatment and practices that are outside traditional veterinary care.
These include herbal remedies, homeopathy, environmental enrichment, and a variety of natural remedies aimed at supporting animal health.
Unlike mainstream veterinary medicine, which relies on scientific evidence and clinical trials, CAMs often focus on holistic and natural healing approaches.
While some farmers integrate CAM into their flock management strategies, veterinary organizations such as the Royal Veterinary Surgeons (RCV) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) are still cautious, advocating for evidence-based practice.
How dairy farmers see cams
This study found that farmers have different interpretations of CAM. Some view herbal treatments and topical breast creams like uddermint® as cams, while others view this as standard care.
Additionally, distant healing, observation-based techniques, and food-based treatments were also mentioned.
The diversity of CAM use emphasizes the need for clearer definitions and better communication between farmers and veterinarians.
A holistic approach to herd health
For many farmers, CAM represents more than an alternative to traditional medicine. It coincides with the broader philosophy of overall agriculture.
Farmers using CAM often prioritize natural remedies to support the animal’s innate healing abilities. This approach often intersects organic farming and production systems that limit the use of antibiotics.
By incorporating CAM, some farmers aim to minimize pharmaceutical interventions while maintaining animal welfare.
The link between CAM and organic farming
Organic dairy farms and farms operating during production without antibiotic (PWAB) contracts are more likely to explore CAMs due to restrictions on antibiotic use.
Farmers in these systems are looking for alternative methods to prevent and treat diseases and consult a variety of advisors, including veterinarians who specialize in CAMs.
However, due to limited scientific evidence supporting many CAM practices, the challenge remains in balancing alternative treatments with proven veterinary methods.
Strengthen the relationship between farmers and veterans
Encouraging open discussions about CAM could enhance trust and collaboration between farmers and veterinarians.
Understanding why farmers rely on alternative treatments can help veterinarians provide better guidance to integrate safe and effective practices into herd management.
This dialogue could ultimately contribute to reducing antibiotic use and improving overall herd health.
Dr. Kayley Crouch, the lead author of PhD research at the University of Bristol, added:
“It is important for veterinarians and advisors to acknowledge and discuss that farmers are using and investigating herd health management approaches. A more open discussion surrounding the use of specific CAM practices and products on dairy farms will support better collaboration between dairy farms, veterinarians and other advisors supporting animal health.
“This allows for further research, working towards farm-specific, collaborative herd health plans, and acknowledging the goals and values of the farmers themselves. Further research in this field will help them gain a wider range of opinions and practices.
“Debate about CAM in the veterinary literature often focuses on homeopathy, but this does not acknowledge widely used products such as breast creams/oils, as well as broad approaches such as animal observation and environmental enrichment.
“This study suggests that it may be useful to use the term CAM more widely to refer to specific products and practices by name, rather than using the term CAM more widely, to avoid a negative association with the term CAM.
“It is also important to acknowledge the potentially positive impact of these products and practices, for example, if we support a reduction in antibiotic use.
“Studies should be conducted on how CAM practices contribute to one health approach to reduced antibiotic resistance and how they affect animal housing, management, and interactions to identify potential positive practices.”
Progress with cams in dairy farming
Although discussions on complementary and alternative medicines continue, its role in dairy agriculture cannot be denied.
With increasing interest in natural and holistic approaches, further research and collaboration between farmers and veterinarians is important in determining the best ways to integrate complementary and alternative medicines into responsible herd health management.
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