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.
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

Funding boost for dairy cattle health research
The Hannah Dairy Research Foundation has awarded more than £59,000 in funding to studies focusing on dairy cattle health and welfare.

The projects will focus on mammary gland biology, mastitis and calf health and welfare.

Three research projects focusing on dairy cattle health and welfare have received more than £59,000 in funding from the Hannah Dairy Research Foundation (HDRF).

Conducted by the Moredun Research Institute, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and the University of Glasgow, the projects will concentrate on mammary gland biology, mastitis and calf health and welfare.

The HDRF is a charity that aims to help researchers develop projects that are relevant to Scottish dairy farmers.

Professor Dave Roberts, chair of the HDRF, said of the funding: “We have increased the number of research grants we funded in the last 12 months as we are receiving high-quality research proposals. Each project also has clear plans to communicate the results to the dairy industry, and reports will be available on the HDRF website.”

The successful projects are as follows:

  • the development of ruminant mammary organoids to facilitate the study of mammary gland biology in vitro
  • the fungal milk microbiome of dairy cattle and its implications on mastitis
  • identifying critical control points for colostrum contamination and Mycoplasma prevalence in first milking colostrum from Scottish dairy herds.

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

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.