A Veterinary Approach to Sustainable Food and Farming

Gabrielle Young, a livestock veterinarian from Kingston, Jamaica is passionate about preventative herd health. Last year, Gabrielle completed our online course,”A Veterinary Approach to Sustainable Food and Farming”, with the support of the Commonwealth Veterinary Association (delivered in partnership with Vet Sustain), to further her knowledge and help farmers achieve their sustainability goals. This article outlines her final project, focused on integrating sustainability into farm veterinary practice.

How to support a farm animal client transition to more sustainable methods of farming?

Farm Background

The case farm is a 38-acre mixed livestock farm in Jamaica producing dairy from goats and meat from sheep. It houses 230 Dorper and Katahdin breed sheep, and 120 Nubian, Saanen, and Native ecotype goats. The goat's milk is pasteurized and sold, along with other value-added products including yoghurt and fresh soft cheese. Premium lamb is prepared into specialty cuts and sold retail.

The farm's location is relatively flat with a shallow natural water course running through the property, which only fills during significant rainfall. The land is primarily covered with African star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus) and recently established pastures of Pangola grass (Digitaria eriantha) and King Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) to add dietary diversity. Animals are supplemented with commercial grain, fed according to species:

The animals are managed in an intensive housed system due to predial larceny (agricultural theft) and attacks by stray/wild dogs. They are fed cut grass with only those recently kidded/lambed and lactating receiving additional supplementation. All animals have access to a free-choice mineral mix (sheep have a copper-free mix), as well access to an automated water system. The farm is managed by a woman who employs four people from the neighboring community.

Gabrielle examines the sustainability challenges of the farm using the Three E’s Framework - Environment, Ethics and Economics. 

Environment

After reviewing the ten-year trend for average temperatures and rainfall revealed an increase of 1.07 °C in average temperature and a 24.78mm increase in annual precipitation. These changes will impact farm management in the future. 

The farm primarily houses improved breeds of sheep and goats; Dorper and Katahdin sheep and Nubian and Saanen goats respectively. In Jamaica, Local eco-types, like the St. Elizabeth sheep and the Native goat are smaller and slower growing but have increased disease resistance and fertility. These eco-types have been largely replaced due to lower production traits, resulting in a loss of biodiversity. 

Pens and corral areas are cleaned quarterly, with manure heaped and spread on pastures. To mitigate runoff during the rainy season, the farmer was advised to stack manure on a concrete pad, to prevent leaching of excess nitrogen and phosphorus into waterways and ground water. The farmer wishes to make use of all the land and would be best suited to the land sharing continuum.

Ethics – Animals

The veterinarian assessed animals using the Five Freedoms welfare principle. They are housed and fed with chaffed grass, hay, and commercial grains if required, with fresh water available at all times. The Body Condition Score (BCS) averaged 3 for adults and 3.5 for growers (scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being emaciated and 5 being obese), indicating adequate nutrition. The animals are housed in a high-roofed building with fencing to protect them from dog attacks and have access to a fenced corral for roaming and play.  

The herd experiences sporadic outbreaks of contagious ecthyma and pink eye in young stock, and occasional cases of weight loss resulting in death. A herd health plan was developed to address these issues, including a vaccination program and integrated parasite management (IPM) using FAMACHA©. Previously the farmer managed outbreaks with topical antiseptics and antibiotics, however use of vaccines is preferred over antibiotics due to reduced mortality and antibiotic resistance.

An on-farm program was developed to train staff on IPM using the FAMACHA© card, which identifies animals needing deworming based on eyelid color. FAMACHA© is a diagnostic test to help small ruminant producers identify animals that require anthelmintic treatment, using a card that matches lower eyelid color to anemia levels, an indicator of clinical barber pole (Hemonchous contortus) worm infection. IPM also includes good nutrition, rotational grazing, and herbal leys like Sericea lespedeza, a forage high in tannins (4-15% DM) that has been scientifically proven to reduce parasite loads in sheep and goats. 

The FAMACHA© system required farmers to check animals at least once every two weeks by examining the colour of the mucous membrane of the lower eye lid. The use of the pull, push, and pop technique to expose the mucous membrane was demonstrated and farmers were allowed to participate and score animals using the FAMACHA© card. 

Animals repeatedly scoring 4 or 5 should be culled. Consistent use of FAMACHA© and IPM reduces dewormer use and builds herd resistance to Haemonchus contortus, saving money and benefiting soil biodiversity.

To increase the productivity of the pasture, a silvopastoral system was considered to incorporate trees for forage and living fences. Trees like Quick Stick, Mulberry, and Moringa can provide high-quality protein and energy, reducing reliance on commercial grains, and offer shade and enhance soil health. Mulberry trees also support biodiversity.

Ethics - People

The farm has four farm attendants that come from the community within walking distance, providing people in this rural area with employment and also contributing zero carbon emissions from commuting. They received training in IPM and FAMACHA© from the veterinarian and requested additional training in livestock management, including recognizing illness, neonatal care, and first aid. Of particular interest was identifying abnormal behaviour for early detection of illness and preventing emergencies and mortality. Training will be conducted biannually and rotated through local farms, with suppliers of animal health products also invited.

Training increases staff value, potential earnings, and job security. The veterinarian uses the ADKAR model to implement change.

• Awareness - of the need to change

• Desire - to participate and support the change

• Knowledge - on how to change and what those involved need to understand

• Ability - to implement desired skills and behaviours

• Reinforcement - to sustain the change in a meaningful way

The IPM and FAMACHA© training addressed anthelmintic resistance; local farmers had lost animals due to this issue, so they had awareness and desire to change. The FAMACHA© card provides knowledge and ability to implement change. By training the farmers in the use of the card, they were provided knowledge and ability to implement change. Training and recertification every two years were recommended to reinforce the change. An incentive program tied to reduced dewormer costs and increased productivity was also suggested.

Economics

Increasing efficiency in milk production can be achieved through artificial insemination with superior genetics, with the aim of increasing milk output from 2L per day to almost 4L per day. Training in disease management, specifically mastitis by teat disinfection and hygiene, selective dry doe therapy and milking management training can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Manure can be composted or used to create organic fertilizer using California Red Worms, generating additional revenue. Replacing chemical fertilizers with composted manure improves soil health and biodiversity, which is further improved by the reduced use of anthelmintics. Silvopastoral systems and herbal leys can reduce the need for commercial grains, reducing the costs of bought in feed. 

Summary

Following training, the group decided on a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) approach, inviting more farmers for group training. The group aims to apply for the LEAF Marque environmental assurance system and currently satisfies seven of nine Integrated Farm Management (IFM) principles. A long-term plan includes school tours to educate children on regenerative farming and the benefits of a circular economy.

This case study forms part of the assessment criteria on the VetSalus and Vet Sustain course “A Veterinary Approach to Sustainable Food and Farming”. Our May 2025 cohort is now underway, with our next cohort starting in November 2025. To find out more and to secure your place in our next cohort, please visit our dedicated learning platform https://learn.vetsalus.com/pages/a-veterinary-approach-to-sustainable-food-and-farming-may-2025