Farm Health Online is a new web-based knowledge hub funded by the USA-based Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) programme, managed by the Rural Business School, providing practical advice and information on positive health and welfare planning and management to farmers, advisors, and veterinarians.

With an emphasis on sustainability and grounded in sound science, the site will contain comprehensive up-to-date guide of relevant diseases affecting cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry detailing the condition, aetiology and best practice methods of control and prevention, all presented in an accessible and user-friendly format.

In recognition of the importance of the livestock sector to the South West region, the South West Regional Development Agency has committed £12.17m of European Development Funding over five years for a SW Healthy Livestock Initiative. This represents an exciting opportunity for farmers, and those wishing to work with farmers on methods of treating or controlling of disease.

The livestock sector is important within the South West, with 25% of the national population of livestock being reared within the region. The aim of the programme is to achieve an uplift in the profitability of the South West livestock industry by improving health and welfare among farmed animals. This project is RDPE funded and is being delivered through the South West of England Regional Development Agency, with Defra as the Managing Authority.

Healthy Livestock is a Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)-funded project, developed by a range of organisations and led by the Rural Business School as part of the South West Healthy Livestock Initiative (SWHLI).

The Healthy Livestock project is focused on controlling the incidence of mastitis, lameness, BVD, Johne's disease and respiratory diseases in cattle and lameness, nutrition, breeding and parasite control in sheep, by providing up to 70% funding towards vet and adviser consultations, diagnostic tests, farmer discussion groups and a programme of training events.