Lameness in the beef industry has received little attention in the UK, despite the fact that it is a well-recognised problem in the dairy industry. The aims of this study were to (i) compare UK beef farmers' estimates of lameness prevalence to that of researchers, (ii) explore beef farmers' attitudes towards lameness, and (iii) help identify farmer reported barriers to lameness control and treatment. Beef farmers (11 finishing units and 10 suckler farms) were recruited from England and Wales. Farmers were asked to estimate their lameness prevalence, before a researcher conducted locomotion scoring using a five point scale, and a Bland Altman analysis performed. Face to face interviews were also conducted using a semi structured interview script aimed at capturing information such as current approaches and protocols as well as their views of lameness importance. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. An inductive thematic analysis was performed. All but two farmers underestimated lameness prevalence on their farms when compared to the researcher. Farmers initially underestimated lameness prevalence compared to the researchers estimates, with a mean underestimate of 7% (95% CI 5–9%). This is an important barrier to lameness detection and treatment. Thematic analysis identified four major themes: (1). Perception of lameness prevalence, (2). Technical knowledge and skills, (3). Perception of the impact of lameness, and (4). Barriers to the treatment and control of lameness. This study highlights that some approaches to lameness treatment are likely to be causing harm, despite being done with the intention to help the animal. There were four key areas of concern identified: recognition of lameness, treatment approaches, the training provided to farmers and confusion over transport and slaughter options available to farmers. This suggests an urgent need for future work to quantify and address the problem, and to provide evidence to justify the role of prevention and potentially start to break down barriers to control and treatment of lameness.

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Micromachining is a technology that miniaturizes mechanical sensors and actuators through the use of tools and materials commonly used in the integrated circuit industry. The physics of the devices formed in this way are sometimes similar and sometimes different to achieve the same functionality of current macroscopic devices, but in sizes that are hundreds or thousands of times smaller. This article will discuss a few chemical detectors being developed as examples of the application of microelectromechanical systems ͑MEMS͒ for nonoptical laboratory instruments. In this article, we will report on the development and demonstration of two approaches ͑quadrupole and magnetic Lorentz͒ to fabricate a mass filter as part of a mass spectrometer. This article is not meant as a review of the field of MEMS chemical sensors, but rather a tutorial on how miniaturization is achievable through the use of MEMS fabrication techniques for mass spectrometers.

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