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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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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.