Real Welfare App Trial
UK - A member of the George Vet Practice, who works exclusively with pigs and has been using the new Real Welfare app for the last eight months.
5 September 2014
3 minute read
By: "It is not perfect but the improvements made have been noticeable’ is the verdict of vet Alex Thomsett who is trialling the new Real Welfare app.
Alex, a member of the George Vet Practice, works exclusively with pigs and has been using the app for the last eight months.
She said: "Overall I prefer to use it rather than go back to the office and type it in because it saves me time.
"It is very worthwhile. I have never used the bureau service because my handwriting is so bad! I will continue to use it and I have been trying to encourage my colleagues to use it as well."
The bureau service, which most vets are currently using, is only scheduled to continue to the end of the year, though the online portal is available and can be used.
On the subject of Real Welfare generally, Alex said: "It is now more practical. I would not say there is no resistance from producers but from my point of view I am trying to make Real Welfare assessments useful and productive."
"There are circumstances where I use it to monitor ongoing health and production issues on farm. I look at the score with the producer and use that to discuss potential management changes.
"I had a producer come to me wanting to access his scores. He was interested to see the information I collect. He was interested enough to go to the Pig Hub so he can review the scores in the future to get more use out of Real Welfare."
Alex is one of 11 vets who are currently trialling the app in both its Android and iOS forms.
"I have experienced problems with the search function and have accommodated this when trialling the app. I thought the app might be a bit faster than the portal but that does not seem to be the case. I still prefer the app though."
BPEX Project Manager Katja Stoddart said she had sought feedback from the vets who were now testing the app and the response had been very positive.
"They all seem pleased with it and are happy with the way it is working so I’m hopeful we will be able to launch it to everybody soon."
