We must continue to push for new ways to reduce the environmental impact of sheep farming. Our products are helping in this area. Lower use of Anthelmintics will increase microbial activity, particularly dung beetle populations on farm, the presence of which increases nutrient cycling, and improves grass growth. By breeding the most efficient animals with the lowest drug input requirements, we will lower the methane emissions associated with lamb production.

Society requires more efforts in this area. The Cotter Crate delivers safer and lower stress handling for the sheep, SmartWorm identify parasitism in individual lambs automatically so those who need treat get it for healthier animals. Automed ensures animals get the right amount, and are not over/underdosed. These all help towards improving the welfare of the sheep but more must be done.

Society at large requires agriculture to reduce Antimicrobial use, which is predicted to cause more deaths than cancer by 2050. The Cotter Crate facilitates farmers to uptake vaccination of young lambs which significantly reduces antibiotic use. SmartWorm reduces Anthelmintic use (Anthelmintics are a subset of Antimicrobials) by 40-50% whist maintaining production. Automed further reduces drug use by 20% via weight based dosing. We are continuing to innovate hard to reduce the use of more commonly used drugs in sheep farming.

Farmers put food on our plates, and are entitled to have food put on theirs. Our products improve farm profitability via more efficient handling, lower medicine bills and auto identification of the most profitable and carbon efficient stock, who have a lower days to slaughter and reduced drench requirement to achieve slaughter weights. In particular, cutting Anthelmintic use in half is critical to maintain drug efficacy. Sheep farmers can’t survive economically without Anthelmintic drugs being available to them, so SmartWorm is ensuring the continuity of existence of profitable sheep farms globally. 

We must continue investing in R&D to support a future where sheep farming thrives as a sustainable, enjoyable, and rewarding option in agriculture for the next generation. Further streamlining farm operations, improving animal welfare, and helping deliver the industry's environmental and economic sustainability is key to this. Our vision is a world where sheep farmers are empowered with the tools and technologies they need to lead profitable, fulfilling lives with a gentle footprint on the environment.