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Sheep and goat project heads to France
The workshop held in Saint Affique was attended by more than 70 reserachers, lecturers and farmers.

More than 70 delegates gathered in Saint Affrique to learn about the use of innovative on-farm technologies.

A multi-national project to bolster the uptake of digital technologies in sheep and goat farming has held its first in-person workshop in France.

The Sm@RT (Small Ruminant Technologies) project is being organised by Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) in collaboration with the Moredun Research Institute. Previously, two workshops had been held online, but this was the first time the event had taken place in a live setting. 

The workshop, held in Saint Affrique in July, was attended by more than 70 researchers, lecturers, farmers and advisors from seven different countries.

During the event, delegates visited two sheep farms where they could see and learn about the use of 14 small ruminant innovative technologies. Among them included virtual and connected fences, automatic feeders, individual feed bins and shed sensors for temperature, humidity and Co2. 

The second day saw the delegates share examples of the innovative technologies being used in their countries, such as water consumption in one trough, automatic weighing and a hay drying machine. 

“It was great to be able to see each other for the first time,” commented Claire Morgan-Davies, Sm@RT coordinator from SRUC. “The group dynamic was fantastic and the organisation by the French partners flawless. 

"It was nice to see delegates exchanging ideas and seeing for themselves the wide range of innovative technologies available to the sheep and goat sectors.” 

The next workshop is scheduled for Spring 2023 in Norway. 

Image (C) SRUC.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."