Case Studies
Explore practical case studies that share real farmer experiences of improving livestock and crop health using low-input, holistic, and natural approaches.
These case studies are farmer led and researcher reviewed, and are designed to help others benefit from what has worked on farm and in practice.
Whether you’re looking for ways to reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals and antibiotics without compromising welfare, or for nature-friendly approaches to parasite and disease prevention, we hope you will feel inspired.
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Can a Nosode Stop Orf Outbreaks? A Sheep Farmer’s Experience
Farm: Organic Mixed Farm, Coastal East Devon | Flock: 100 ewes, 160 lambs
Trial Period: 2018 | Conducted by: Nic Westlake, Sheep Farmer
A Soil Association certified organic farm repeatedly hit by Orf outbreaks trialled a homeopathic, nosode-based strategy to stop the disease in its tracks. The approach focused on early response and prevention, without the use of antibiotics or vaccines.
The approach:
- Homeopathic Borax and Nitric Acid used to treat skin lesions
- Orf Nosode used preventatively across the flock
- No conventional drugs or vaccines administered
- Aimed at halting spread and reducing duration of symptoms
The results speak for themselves:
- Orf outbreaks resolved in 5 days (typical duration: 6 weeks)
- No disruption to lamb growth or productivity
- £468/year saved on avoided vaccines
- Zero outbreaks since 2018 (ongoing to 2025)
Farmer verdict:
“I was amazed – the spread of Orf stopped in its tracks as soon as I used the Nosode.”
Read the full case study with details of the approach and long-term outcomes.
Can Preventative Homeopathy Reduce Antibiotics & Boost Herd Health? This Dairy Trial Shows Positive Outcomes.
Farm: Conventional Dairy Farm, Devon | Herd: 120 Friesians
Trial Period: Aug 2022 – Jul 2023 | Conducted by: Pammy Riggs, WHAg Livestock Health Advisor
A conventional dairy farm tested WHAg’s Whole Health System of Proactive Prevention using homeopathy throughout a full farm year. The focus: supporting herd immunity before stressful events like heatwaves, calving, weaning, or first service (mating).
The approach:
- Homeopathic remedies delivered to groups via water or milk
- Timed to match known stress events
- Part of WHAg’s “AMBER level” – where stress undermines resilience
The results speak for themselves:
- 24% fewer vet interventions (antibiotics & milk fever)
- 47% less antibiotics for masitis
- 80% drop in milk fever
- 284L more milk per cow → ~£10,000 added income
- 284L13% rise in first-service conception rates
- Lower somatic cell counts across the board
- 11 ‘problem cows’ all calved, cleansed, and lactated without issues
Farmer verdict:
Fully committed to continuing with the trial.
"We don’t know if it works, but there are a lot of coincidences if it doesn’t!."
A Veterinary Case Using Homeopathy for a Mastitis and Abscess in a Dairy Cow, Following Failure of Antibiotics
This case shows a positive outcome following the use of homeopathic remedies prescribed by a veterinary surgeon for an udder abscess and concomitant mastitis which failed to respond to antibiotics.
Background:
A dairy cow in an organic herd in her 4th lactation had mastitis with ulceration in one quarter. The cow was in good condition otherwise and due to calve within 6 weeks. Conventional veterinary treatment with antibiotics had failed to effect a cure, the implications were that the cow would have to be culled for welfare reasons meaning loss of cow and calf.
As a last resort, the case was referred to a homeopathic veterinary surgeon.
Outcome:
Following treatment with the homeopathic remedy Arsenicum, plus others, the cow went on to deliver a healthy calf and return to the milking herd.
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