Archive

Moredun Scientific has developed and validated sequential models of porcine respiratory disease to mimic respiratory disease more consistent with field type infections for use in efficacy testing of veterinary medicinal products.

The models involve the following veterinary pathogens:

In December the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) appointed Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE as the first female Chairperson of its Independent Scientific Panel (SISP).

Plans are underway to launch a new service in 2019 supporting the development and commercialisation of products which impact on the health and welfare of farmed fish.

Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standards Agency have published the report of a four year research project which provides important new evidence on E. coli O157 - a bacterium carried by cattle which can cause serious illness when it enters the food chain. 

Official statistics for Scotland indicate that the rural workforce is predominantly male (around 74 per cent) and across Scotland there is a deficit of young people entering land based careers. 

Poldean Farm near Moffat, run by the Davidson family, was the venue this week for a very well attended and successful farm event run by Moredun and the Crown Estate Scotland.

Moredun scientists joined fellow researchers from across 30 countries at the second COMBAR Working Group meeting to present research results and to discuss a coordinated approach towards solutions for anthelmintic resistance.

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE has been awarded the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) most prestigious scientific award at BVA Members’ Day in York (20 September) for her outstanding contribution to UK and global livestock health and welfare in a career spanning three decades.

The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) groups are urging sheep and cattle farmers to not be complacent about liver fluke this autumn.

Following the two most recent outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Czech Republic and Hungary the Scottish Government has produced two videos directed to pig producers and pet pig owners.

“Doing nothing is not an option”  was the unanimous opinion of the farmers, vets and sheep health experts participating at a workshop to discuss the way forward to control OPA  held at Moredun on Tuesday 5^th June.

We will attend this conference in Barcelona (9th-11^th May), the programme includes sessions on porcine viral and bacterial diseases. We hope to see you there.

Moredun Scientific will be present at this event in Amsterdam later this month.

The Viral Safety and Raw Materials conference gathers viral safety experts and the focus will be on virus detection, viral removal and regulatory know-how.

Researchers from Moredun joined colleagues from institutes across Europe to discuss a coordinated approach in tackling anthelmintic resistance in ruminants.

Moredun Scientific has developed and validated a new experimental model of infection for Pasteurella multocida in pigs.

Moredun have invested in new pig accommodation to meet the growing demand from Moredun Scientific’s clients for studies to test the efficacy of new and improved porcine vaccines and therapeutic drugs.

A new, purpose built, dairy facility has been added to the Moredun Bioservices animal facilities. The facility extends the available capacity for studies to test novel and enhanced vaccines and therapeutic products in lactating dairy cattle.

This month SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) have released its latest update on liver fluke.

Moredun Research Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have announced a new strategic partnership they describe as ‘game-changing’ in advancing livestock health, welfare production and resilience in support of Scottish and global rural development, food security and food safety.

The rising threat of the fatal and infectious lung disease (ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma [OPA], commonly known as Jaagsiekte) is increasing in reach and severity, which has led both the National Farmers’ Union and Livestock Health Scotland to issue advice aimed at cutting these rises.

It is well known that liming can improve forage production but the wider effects of liming are poorly understood. A liming research project underway at the Game & Wildlife Scottish Demonstration Farm (GWSDF) Auchnerran now incorporates studies being run by Moredun Research Institute.

The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) has recently announced it's new presidential team which sees Moredun's Professor Julie Fitzpatrick appointed as vice president alongside the society's new president, Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw Bt QC.

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick the Scientific Director of the Moredun Research Institute and Chief Executive of the Moredun Group,  also holds a Chair in Food Security in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow.

Many congratulations to President of the Moredun Foundation, Dr John Cameron CBE,  who has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of St Andrews for his contributions to agriculture, transport and education.

Cryptosporidium is one of the most important infectious scour causes in young calves and can be very difficult to get rid of.

Moredun organised a workshop for farmers this week (Wednesday 8th March) to demonstrate the links between better disease control and improved economic return both in terms of production costs and return on sale.

Congratulations to Professor Lee Innes, Moredun’s Director of Communications, who received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Knowledge Exchange at the prestigious Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards.

Huge congratulations to Scott Brown, one of our South of Scotland Regional Advisors, who was recently awarded Farm Animal Health Advisor of the Year at the OvertheCounter Awards.

Moredun are delighted to announce that Downland, a UK wide network of independently owned agricultural retailers who specialise in the dairy, beef and sheep sectors, have joined up with Moredun as Associate Members.

The Moredun Foundation is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the 2017 Moredun Foundation Award Scheme. 

The Royal Smithfield awards its Bicentenary Trophy to publicly recognise an individual’s significant contribution to the overall benefit of the British meat and livestock industry.

Farmers are warned to be proactive with liver fluke management this autumn to ensure no adverse effects to cattle performance are seen, given the high liver fluke risk this year.   

John Mackinnon has been appointed as the new chairman of Moredun Scientific. He will succeed Dr Peter Wells who has been chairman of the Moredun Scientific board of directors for the past eight years and is retiring from the post.

Scientists from the University of Glasgow and the Moredun Research Institute have published data from a comprehensive analysis of the changes that occur in milk during mastitis caused by a bacterial infection of the udder. 

Moredun has teamed up with an animator to create an engaging and entertaining short film highlighting the important elements involved in the development and spread of anthelmintic resistance.

Scientists at Moredun are currently developing a novel diagnostic blood test for the assessment of encysted small strongyle larval burdens in horses. The diagnostic test detects antibodies to larval cyathostomins encysted in the gut wall of infected horses.

The Scottish Government is investing £48M in 2016-2017 for strategic scientific research in the area of rural affairs, food and the environment.

Moredun scientisits recently set researchers at the School of Textiles & Design a particularly tricky challenge: how to develop a ‘bovine bum bag’ to ensure the hygienic collection of faeces from livestock.