01 October 2025
Improve your farm's efficiency and animal welfare and prepare for the Sustainable Farming Scheme with five new e-learning modules from Farming Connect.
Completing Farming Connect's new online learning modules on Animal Welfare from Summer 2025 will fulfil the proficiency training requirement for the Animal Health and Welfare Universal Action for the next five years. Finishing the module before the scheme's 2026 launch is a proactive way to prepare and will free you up to focus on other priorities once the scheme is underway.
These new modules are designed to provide crucial knowledge and skills for modern farming practices, focusing on key areas of animal health and welfare that are vital for both productivity and sustainability:
• Beef cattle mobility scoring for the Sustainable Farming Scheme: This training introduces the value of mobility scoring, outlining best practices and the minimum requirements for the Sustainable Farming Scheme's Universal Action.
• Dairy mobility scoring for the Sustainable Farming Scheme: This training covers mobility scoring, explaining best practices and minimum requirements for the Sustainable Farming Scheme's Universal Action.
• Mobility scoring sheep for the Sustainable Farming Scheme: Gain a practical understanding of sheep mobility to enhance flock welfare and support your farm's sustainability goals. This also covers minimum requirements for the Sustainable Farming Scheme's Universal Action.
• Sheep body condition scoring (BCS) for the Sustainable Farming Scheme: A vital module for every sheep farmer. This course teaches you how to accurately assess body condition to optimise flock health, fertility, and feed efficiency. This also covers minimum requirements for the Sustainable Farming Scheme's Universal Action.
• Cattle body condition scoring for the Sustainable Farming Scheme: Learn the essential techniques for cattle BCS to manage nutrition, improve reproductive efficiency, and ensure the well-being of your herd. This also covers minimum requirements for the Sustainable Farming Scheme's Universal Action.
These modules are an excellent resource for anyone looking to upskill and ensure their farm is ready for the future.
‘These modules address two of the most significant sources of welfare compromise on farms in Wales, lameness and poor nutrition. The modules will help you gain a better understanding of your livestock's health and condition, and what key signs to look out for which show intervention may be necessary. Completing these modules will help you lower the risk of disease, improve the productivity of your livestock and improve welfare. It also helps demonstrate your commitment to high standards of animal health and welfare to processors in the food supply chain.’ Shared Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer.
If you're a business owner or partner and complete this training after the scheme launches in 2026, the two hours can count towards your required six hours of annual CPD. However, the learning will not count towards this requirement if you are an employee who is not a business owner, partner, or director.
All e-learning module completions will be logged on the user's 'Storfa Sgiliau' CPD record along with a Lantra Awards 'certificate of completion'.
For further information please visit the Farming Connect website https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/