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New study offers ‘win win’ for farming and wildlife
“Optimum farmland composition typically depends on whether to maximise production or biodiversity. But we have shown this doesn’t have to be the case."

Increased efficiency supports both production and conservation

A new study offers a framework for British farms to produce more food, whilst also supporting wildlife.

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) joined forces with Edinburgh Napier University and the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, to design different feed rations for a model dairy herd.

The team explored how different mixtures of crops affected farmland wildlife, especially spiders and plants.

Using complex statistical models, they discovered it was possible to increase land efficiency by manipulating the crops needed to meet the dietary requirements of the herd. This freed up land which could be used for additional production or promoting biodiversity.

According to findings published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, biodiversity was greatest when the efficiency of the system was increased and spare land devoted to species-rich grassland.

Interestingly, biodiversity gains were also seen when the spare land was used for additional crop production. The largest gains were achieved when these extra crops supported different wildlife species.

Dr Patrick White, lecturer in conservation biology at Edinburgh Napier, said: “Optimum farmland composition typically depends on whether to maximise production or biodiversity. But we have shown this doesn’t have to be the case.

“Greatest ‘win-wins’ can be achieved by making productive land cover more diverse and selecting crops that complement each other in the species they support.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.