Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthficrobaidd Cyfrifol / Responsible Antimicrobial Use) is an award-winning Welsh Government-funded programme led by Mentera, dedicated to preventing antibiotic resistance in animals and the environment by supporting farmers and vets through data-driven decisions, innovative technologies, and best practices.
The annual awards celebrate the achievements of livestock veterinarians and livestock farmers in reducing the need for antibiotics and taking steps to improve animal health.
In addition to awards for Livestock Vet and Livestock Farmer, this year's awards featured a new Livestock Veterinary Practice category – made in recognition of the work being done by veterinary practice teams to collaborate with clients to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
Dewi Hughes, Arwain DGC's programme manager, said,
We received nominations from across Wales, and it was great to see the range of action being taken at veterinary practice and farm level from new protocols and data analysis to monitoring and the use of novel technology.
"Wales' success in tackling AMR and promoting responsible use would not be possible without the involvement and support of farmers and vets. They are at the frontline of efforts to reduce the need for antibiotics while improving livestock health and productivity – and it is only right that their achievements receive public recognition.
AMR is a 'One Health' concern, and the work being done by farmers in Wales has been recognised as making a significant impact on safeguarding antibiotic efficacy for future generations.
Arwain DGC itself recently received two major awards at the Antibiotic Guardian 2024/25 Shared Learning & Awards, recognising its achievements in combating antimicrobial resistance.
The 2025 Arwain DGC Vet & Farmer Award Winners
Livestock Vet Award: Jane Anscombe, Farm First Vets
Among the first Veterinary Prescribing Champions, Abergavenny vet Jane Anscombe has worked diligently to raise her practice’s prescribing and dispensing standards. She has also played an active role in the VPC network, being part of the team that created the clinical guidelines for the VPC programme.
Jane initiated the reorganisation of Farm First Vets’ pharmacy, categorising antibiotics into their respective classes. This reorganisation has been maintained and modified continually since and has helped all staff understand the relative importance of each class of antibiotic. She undertakes regular staff training and runs a Mastering Medicine Course. She has also been instrumental in analysing the different classes of medicine sales year on year to try to benchmark usage.
The practice’s EU declaration visits have been adapted to include a medicines review for the farm. Under Jane’s direction, the practice has subscribed to the VetImpress data analysis system. Jane has been instrumental in Farm First Vets’ work in monitoring and benchmarking sales of different classes of medicine.
Jane also instigated the presence of a vet on the reception roster to oversee the prescribing and dispensing of drugs, which has significantly improved the practice’s prescribing and dispensing standards. The move has also been welcomed by farmers, who appreciate having a qualified staff member to discuss any disease issues they may have, leading to a more responsible use of veterinary medicines by clients.
Livestock Farmer: Tony Watkins
Abergavenny beef farmer Tony Watkins has taken a very proactive approach to reducing antibiotic use, resulting in an exceptional 92% reduction at Upper House Farm.
The conditions in which animals are housed can significantly impact their productivity, health, welfare, and the farm’s carbon footprint.
As part of the Wales-wide network of Arwain DGC Proof of Concept farms, Tony and his family took the opportunity to access expert advice and undertake improvements to the farm’s livestock buildings to increase air quality and airflow.
Good ventilation is essential to prevent respiratory - and other - diseases, as pathogens do not survive for long once the animal exhales. Additionally, the Watkins family has been inspired to trial additional shed monitoring equipment, enabling them to make better-informed decisions to safeguard animal health when housed, reduce pathogen exposure, enhance welfare, and reduce disease incidence.
Livestock Veterinary Practice: Wern Vets Cyf
North Wales veterinary practice, Wern Vets Cyf, routinely uses a range of testing methods to reduce AMR selection pressures. Tests carried out by the practice include Mastatest – an automated mastitis diagnostic tool – culture and sensitivity swabbing and cytology to look for evidence of bacterial infection before prescribing antibiotics, allowing the right drug choice to be selected.
All staff undergo in-house practice training and have access to resources that emphasise the importance of antibiotic classification and when it is appropriate to use or prescribe these drugs.
The display of AMR/drug classification posters reinforces antibiotic information and advice. Additionally, standard operating procedures are in place – such as utilising culture and sensitivity tests on populations of lambs suffering from symptoms of watery mouth disease before antibiotic selection.