Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th June 2018
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Study to ‘underpin direction of sheep genetics’
"...in the post-Brexit era, we are in a very strong position to influence how best to increase efficiencies in sheep meat production."
Experts aim to maximise genetic, economic and environmental gain

A new study is set to drive the future direction of sheep genetics in the UK, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has revealed.

The project team, led by SRUC, will be comprised of industry experts and researchers who will make breeding recommendations to maximise genetic, economic and environmental gain.

Dr Joanne Conington, livestock geneticist at SRUC, said: “This study will underpin the future direction of sheep genetics in the UK.

“It is timely because in the post-Brexit era, we are in a very strong position to influence how best to increase efficiencies in sheep meat production to better meet the needs of meat processors and consumers, while also keeping a close eye on welfare, environmental footprint and sheep meat quality.”

A review will report on the latest global developments in genetic and genomic approaches, and explore how these could enhance productivity and sustainability of the UK sheep flock.

This will inform the development of breeding goals to deliver gains in maternal upland, maternal lowland and terminal production systems. The goals will be further refined through stakeholder interviews and industry workshops.

Ultimately, the team will estimate the economic impact of implementing the breeding goals.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

RCVS Knowledge appoints Veterinary Evidence editor-in-chief

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence.

A world-renowned expert in evidence-based veterinary medicine, Prof Cockcroft will lead the strategic development and editorial quality of the open-access journal. He was previously in the role from 2017-2020.

Katie Mantell, CEO of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are excited about the extensive knowledge of evidence-based veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary research that Peter brings, and we look forward to working with him over this next phase of the journal's development." 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CVS Group hit by cyber attack

CVS Group, which owns more than 450 veterinary practices in the UK, has been hit by a cyber attack.

In a statement, the group said the incident involved unauthorised external access to a limited number of its IT systems. As soon as the attack was discovered, the group took its IT systems temporarily offline, causing 'considerable operational disruption'.

It has warned that the security steps taken and ongoing plans to move its operational systems and IT infrastructure to the Cloud are likely to have an ongoing impact over a number of weeks.

Due to the risk that personal information was accessed, CVS has informed the Information Commissioner's Office. The company is working with third party consultants to investigate the incident.