AMTRA-qualified RAMAs support farmers by offering advice and prescribing preventative medications and treatments, including for sustainable worm control.

In the first episode of the new season of the Wynnstay Agri-Hub Podcast, I was joined by Sarah Brooks, who facilitates AMTRA training and supports our team of 200 qualified RAMAs, and Chris from the Cardigan store. Together, we delved into how farmers can get the right advice on medicines, and the support we can offer and highlighted some seasonal challenges.

Listen: Wynnstay Agri-Hub Podcast

The Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA) is a not-for-profit organisation which manages the registration of Registered Animal Medicine Advisors (RAMAs).

AMTRA qualified RAMAs have passed written and oral assessments which enable them to advise farmers on medicine choice for their effective use. Their role contributes to farmers managing their livestock’s health, welfare and profitability.

AMTRA RAMAs are also required to engage with ongoing learning, by completing continuing professional development (CPD) activities each year which enables them to stay up to date with new developments. 

Increasingly, sheep, beef and dairy customers are approaching in-store RAMAs for advice on preventative treatments, such as parasite control. The issues faced vary from season-to-season. In autumn and early winter we will typically be offering advice on liver fluke and scab.

Eight Wynnstay stores can now offer faecal egg count (FEC) testing on-site. Farmers can come to in-store RAMAs to access the FEC service, which helps them identify if they have worms present. When used as part of a faecal egg count reduction test, this also helps farmers understand if they have resistance to any wormer groups on their farm. RAMAs can also use this to prescribe the correct type and dose of wormers.  

In addition to using FEC, the Sustainable Control Of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group has a number of tools available to help farmers responsibly manage the use of anthelmintics to prevent resistance building up on-farms. Weighing animals correctly to ensure accurate dosing, calibrating guns to avoid underdosing, rotating wormer groups and providing quarantine doses to any incoming animals are all vital areas us RAMAs should be discussing with our farmers.  

SCOPs have recently updated their quarantine dosing guidance. It is now recommended that farmers use closantel based flukicide rather than triclabendazole. Check the SCOPS website or speak to a RAMA in store to learn more about this. 

SCOPS also has a new code of practice surrounding sheep dipping to ensure that scab is treated effectively. This should be done by plunge dip only, rather than showers or jetters. Many farmers are reliant on mobile dippers, which are also subject to the regulations, including bulk storage of dips no longer being permissible, so mobile dippers need to obtain a prescription for each farm they visit.

Listen to the first episode of the Wynnstay Agri-Hub Podcast, season two, to find out more about how AMTRA qualified RAMAs can support your farm business. Alternatively, come and speak to one of our team in-store.  

Wynnstay stores that offer a FECPAK service are Thame, Ruthin, Cardigan, Welshpool, Llanrwst and Sarn. Find your nearest store here.