The Swedish model and the Växa way of working

Healthy cows are a prerequisite for animal welfare, sustainable farms and stable economy in farming. This is also the key to keeping antibiotic resistance levels low.
For decades we have been developing what today is called “The Swedish model”, where farmers are able to keep the use of antibiotics low at the same time as their productivity stays at a high level.
The model is mainly focusing on keeping animals healthy by disease control and preventative animal health care.
In Sweden, these measures have had a positive effect on the work of eradicating many of the diseases that used to flourish. These were often treated, or even prevented with antibiotics back in the day. For example, Bovine viral Diarrhea is now non-existent in our country.
In 1986 Sweden was the first country in the world to prohibit growth promoting antibiotics.
In cases where we need to treat our animals, we tend to penicillin nowadays.
We work according to a standard that advisors in all categories use:
Simply described it looks like this:
- We look at the facts and numbers
- We observe the animals from our different perspectives
- We listen to each other - troubles, needs and discuss possible solutions
- We set goals and make a plan
- We try out the plan
- We follow-up, recap and evaluate
The list of new routines and changes, should not be too extensive. It must be manageable and realistic. Small steps are the most effective ones. Communication, commitment, and trust is also crucial for this to work. But it all adds up and development at the farm moves forward.
Healthy animals do not need antibiotics to be productive.