A UK research consortium has been awarded funding from the government’s Transforming Food Production Challenge Fund through Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency to develop new tools to encourage the adoption of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies in UK sheep flocks.
A successful two-year study led by Moredun scientists with partners from Edinburgh University and Food Standards Scotland (FSS), together with incredible support from the deer industry, has resulted in the publication of a report which addresses knowledge gaps and leads to a better understanding
An interdisciplinary team from the UK and Brazil have been awarded a grant worth over half a million pounds to help determine how disease caused by one of the most common parasitic infections in the world progresses in warm blooded animals, and how it is transmitted in food.
Animal Agri-Tech start-up Senesino has won the opportunity to work with the UK’s leading retailer, Tesco, and its supply chain partners, after the Tesco Agri T-Jam was run for a third year in partnership with the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit.
A collaboration between scientists in Scotland and The Netherlands has found that a lack of ‘social distancing’ between sheep is almost exclusively responsible for the spread of the virus that causes the chronic viral disease maedi-visna. The study provides an important s
An EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership PhD studentship has been awarded to Moredun to investigate ways to optimise parasite control in hill and upland sheep.
Following an expert review and comprehensive update, the new 2020 on-line version of the SCOPS Internal Parasite Technical Manual for Vets and Advisers went live on Monday 28th September.
We’re looking for UK sheep farmers to participate in the UK’s largest survey of ‘joint ill’ in lambs funded by the University of Liverpool, AHDB Beef and Lamb, and in collaboration with The Moredun Research Institute.
A new diagnostic technique has been developed by Scottish scientists to help in the early detection of sheep scab, marking a significant development towards improved monitoring and control of the parasite.
A grant worth almost half a million pounds has been awarded to the Moredun Research Institute to develop a novel way of studying poultry red mites which greatly reduces the number of hens required.
Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS)
The Moredun Foundation, the governing body of Moredun Research Institute, was delighted to award two honorary fellowships to David Danson and David Smith at its AGM held on Thursday 3rd of September in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Moredun Group.
The summer fluke forecast has been published by the National Animal Diseases Information Service (NADIS).
It predicts high risk in north western Scotland and moderate risk across the rest of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the west of England.
The Moredun Foundation (TMF) and The Equine Grass Sickness Fund (EGSF) have joined forces to launch an innovative three year Fellowship to breathe fresh thinking and multi-disciplinary approaches into Equine Grass Sickness (EGS) research.
Moredun, with partners from the Equine Grass Sickness Fund (EGSF), the Royal (Dick) School for Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, University of Liverpool, the British Horse Society and World Horse Welfare have produced a comprehensive booklet, Equine Grass Sickness: A research
The parasite Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic pathogen that can be spread between animals and humans causing disease.
Launched in January 2020, OnFARM showcases rural enterprise, community, creativity, charity, history and much more.
Moredun Research Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) are working together to support the NHS by providing extra capacity for vital testing of samples within their laboratory facilities at Pentlands Science Park in Midlothian.
Parasite infections are an economic, health and welfare concern in all livestock systems and many are endemic in UK flocks and herds.
Members can view our recent 'Iceberg diseases' webinar via our member's portal
Moredun researchers Dr Lynsey Melville, Dr Dave Bartley and Dr Giles Innocent have been carrying out work supported by the Animal and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) on the control and biology of Nematodirus battus: a gut roundworm which annually threatens the health and welfare o
Dr Francesca Nunn of the Moredun Research Institute has been awarded the International 3Rs Prize by the National Centre Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).
Jonathan Shepherd has been appointed to the board of Moredun Scientific as a non-executive director bringing extensive experience of the aquaculture industry to the company.
Scottish research institutes are sharing educational activities and resources for teachers, parents and learners to use during the coronavirus pandemic.
The following is a joint press release from Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS)
Research underpinning the commercialised blood test for diagnosing small redworm (cyathostomin) infections in horses has been published in the International Journal of Parasitology1.
A disease in calves caused by the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, has been shown to result in significant longer term weight loss and appreciable economic impact for farmers, highlighting the importance of developing a vaccine.
The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group has warned sheep farmers to be increasingly vigilant as the risk from a number of parasite species increases across the UK.
We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation. Our teams are working with strict social distancing measures in place to ensure we can maintain a full complement of staff as far as possible.
SRUC is doing everything that can be done to ensure continuity of the health scheme
A statement from George Caldow, Head of SRUC Veterinary Services, on SRUC’s Premium Sheep and Goat Health Scheme.
Patron of The Moredun Foundation, HRH The Princess Royal (Princess Anne), has sent a letter of support and appreciation to each of her patronages across the UK, as further restrictions due to Covid-19 come into play.
Following the latest UK Government instructions issued on 23rd March 2020, the following changes apply across the Moredun Group:
MOREDUN RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Following the latest UK Government instructions issued on 23rd March 2020, access to the Moredun Research Institute is now restricted.
An exciting partnership has been launched between Moredun and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) to tackle the problem of louping ill, an often fatal tick-borne virus to which sheep and red grouse are particularly susceptible.
Professor Julie Fitzpatrick (Scientific Director, Moredun Research Institute; Chief Executive, The Moredun Foundation) talks to the BBC Radio Scotland's "Out of Doors" team about 100 years of promoting livestock health and welfare through research and education.
A team of Scottish and international aquaculture experts is developing a pioneering oral vaccine for sea lice, helping the industry to tackle one of the biggest threats to the health and welfare of farmed Atlantic salmon.
Improving pig and poultry production was the focus of a new event that took place near Edinburgh on 16 January 2020.
Biotangents have occupied 3,200 sq. ft of laboratory and office space in the west wing of Douglas House, relocating operations from within the Moredun Research Institute.
After years of initial planning and preliminary studies, a unique nationwide field trial for a vaccine for the prevention of Equine Grass Sickness (EGS) has been completed.
Our latest disease news sheet "Bovine Neosporosis" is now available to view on the Member's Portal.
Scientists in the Aquaculture Research Group at Moredun have received funding for two collaborative research projects funded by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre.
Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal attended a special event held today (Monday 21st October) at Pentlands Science Park to celebrate Moredun’s commitment to the contribution of livestock to food production, biodiversity and the environment.
The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) groups are urging sheep and cattle farmers to monitor for liver fluke this autumn.
We will be at Aquaculture Europe in Berlin from October 7th – 19th to showcase our Aquaculture testing services which support developments in fish health, welfare, nutrition and disease control.
We hope to see you there.
Moredun Research Institute has signed an agreement with Roslin Technologies, Scotland’s Rural College and the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh, to fund the commercial development of an E. coli O157:H7 vaccine for cattle to prevent life-threatening illnesses in humans.
It is well established that weakened immune systems in old age affect people’s health and fitness, but a study suggests that it is also an issue for wild animals.
Over 100 farmers gathered at Connachan on Wednesday 28th August for the Moredun, National Sheep Association (NSA) and MSD Animal Health national hill sheep event, kindly hosted by Mary McCall Smith and Scott MacAulay.
The Moredun Foundation, the governing body of Moredun Research Institute, was delighted to award an Honorary Fellowship to Sheila Voas at its AGM on Thursday 5th September 2019.
The following article was written by Ekta Patel, Communications Manager for the International Livestock Research Institute, and can be found on their news page (see link to the right.)
Despite the threat from nematodirus being lower in spring 2019 than the two previous years, the SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast has once again proven itself to be a vital tool for farmers, vets and SQPs.
A highly informative and interesting farm event drew the crowds at Ruthven Farm, Tomintoul.
We will be at Aqua Nor in Trondheim, Norway this week to showcase our Aquaculture testing service which supports developments in fish health, welfare and nutrition.
The blood test has been developed by Prof Jacqui Matthews’ group at the Moredun Research Institute (MRI), the main funder being The Horse Trust.
Use of the two newer wormer groups (4-AD orange and 5-SI purple) has doubled in the two years since they became available through SQPs at merchants, but sheep farmers could still harness their potential more.
Pentlands Science Park Apprentice Engineer, Marcel came 5th in the Heating & Ventilation Welding Category at the BESA Scotland Apprentice Awards 2019 which were held at the Scottish Parliament on 20th June.
The Pentlands Science Park was developed as the new home for the Moredun Research Institute and is home to 20 tenant companies including Moredun Scientific.
The Pancreas Disease Trination initiative was established in 2005 with the aims to integrate and focus the activities of academia and industry from Norway, Ireland, Scotland and more recently other salmon farming regions.
Scientists at Moredun are currently developing a rapid, point of care diagnostic blood test for sheep scab infestation. Moredun has now entered into a collaboration with Global DX (a developer of point of care veterinary diagnostic tests) to complete the development and validation of the test.
New research published by scientists at the Moredun Research Institute and the Universities of Stirling, Lancaster and Edinburgh shows that, for at least one population, the link between offspring and infections can have deadly consequences.
The SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast at www.scops.org.uk/nematodirus is showing many areas of the UK now at ‘high’ or ‘very high’ risk levels for lambs that are six weeks old.
We are pleased to announce that an inspection by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority earlier this month confirmed that Moredun Scientific’s operations are compliant with the principles and guidelines of good manufacturing practice in relation to contract quality control services.
A new centre for animal disease surveillance and research was opened today (21 March 2019) by Mairi Gougeon MSP, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment.
We are pleased to announce that the latest edition of our Animal Health Newsletter is now available at the link below:
Animal Health Newsletter – Winter Edition
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:
A project undertaken by the Moredun Research Institute and the University of Edinburgh into harmful E. coli O157 bacteria in Scotland’s wild deer has established that the bacteria has a low prevalence in deer of less than 0.3 per cent.
In December the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) appointed Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE as the first female Chairperson of its Independent Scientific Panel (SISP).
Moredun Research Institute (MRI) and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have set out plans for their new strategic partnership to benefit Scotland’s livestock and farming industries.
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.
Researchers at the Moredun Research Institute have led an international team to publish the genome of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae.
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.
Livestock are a very important part of the agricultural economy of Tanzania and support the livelihoods of many families by contributing to the national food supply and food security and the provision of draught power and manure to support crop production. Tanzania has around 21 million cattle,
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.
Moredun Scientific has been awarded funding through the Eurostars-2 program to collaborate with Swedish based Intervacc to support the further development of Intervacc`s innovative vaccine to protect piglets against infection caused by the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus suis.
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.
Scientists at Moredun are working on a collaborative project to develop a new vaccine to protect livestock against foot and mouth disease (FMD).
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.
Moredun Scientific is celebrating 30 years of providing contract research and testing services to the global animal health and biopharmaceutical industries.
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.
A recent publication shows the results of a study treating experimentally induced bovine respiratory disease in calves with a new combined therapeutic product.
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.
We are delighted to announce that Fight the Fluke, the latest addition to our hugely popular animation series, will be launched at the National Sheep Association Sheep Event next week (18th July).
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.
A collaborative study between Moredun and the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has identified the first case of resistance to monepantel (trade name Zolvix®) in the UK.
“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 5th June.
We are pleased to announce that the latest edition of our Animal Health Newsletter is now available at the link below:
Animal Health Newsletter – Spring Edition
We will attend this conference in Barcelona (9th-11th May), the programme includes sessions on porcine viral and bacterial diseases. We hope to see you there.
The Moredun Foundation Equine Grass Sickness Fund (EGSF) was launched in 1988 by Moredun and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies to provide a research hub dedicated to improving treatment, finding the cause and developing means of preventing this devastating disease.
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.
The prediction by the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS) for a high risk of liver fluke disease this winter have been borne out by incidences recorded over recent months.
Researchers from Moredun joined colleagues from institutes across Europe to discuss a coordinated approach in tackling anthelmintic resistance in ruminants.
The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group has launched a new website today (Thursday 1st March) to provide a one-stop-shop for practical information on controlling sheep parasites.
Moredun Scientific has developed and validated a new experimental model of infection for Pasteurella multocida in pigs.
A Moredun Research Institute board member and leading environmental scientist is set to take up a key role at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).
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.
The Moredun Foundation is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the 2018 Moredun Foundation Award Scheme.
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.
The Moredun Research Institute has successfully obtained new research funding from the Horse Trust to complete the development of a blood based test for the detection of cyathostomins (small redworms) in horses.
This month SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) have released its latest update on liver fluke.
Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal attended a special event held today (Tuesday 21st November) at Pentlands Science Park to celebrate Moredun’s rich heritage and unique partnership with the farming industry.
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.
Members of Moredun's Senior Management Team will be swapping their officewear for their sleeping bags to take part in the world's largest charity sleep out event on 9th December.
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.
Dr Alasdair Nisbet, has been successful in obtaining new research funding from the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) to evaluate a new technique that would greatly reduce the number of hens used in the efficacy testing of vaccines.
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.
Moredun and the Farmers Network recently joined forces on farm in Cumbria to produce a very informative and interesting livestock production event.
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.
Following the success of the War of the Worms, Moredun were delighted to join forces once again with animator Selina Wagner (Blobina Animations) to create another engaging short film. Battle of the Bugs highlights the key biosecurity messages that are a critically important part of disease prevention and control.
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.
Biobest and Moredun are celebrating the ‘coming of age’ of their collaboration to provide rabies serology testing for the international movement of pet cats and dogs.
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.
Moredun is a partner in VetBioNet which aims to reinforce the cooperation between Europe’s leading high-containment research infrastructures to advance research on epizootic and zoonotic diseases and to promote technological developments.
Cryptosporidium is one of the most important infectious scour causes in young calves and can be very difficult to get rid of.
Businesses, charities, communities and policy-makers will benefit from easier access to environmental and agricultural research carried out in Scotland, thanks to a collective launched today.
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.
Professor Lee Innes, a renowned scientist and Moredun’s Director of Communications, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
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.
Moredun’s Director of Communications, Professor Lee Innes, has been shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution to Knowledge Exchange at the prestigious Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2017.
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.
Congratulations to Moredun Foundation Board member, John Campbell, founder and chairman of the Glenrath Farms empire, who has been knighted in the New Year Honours List for his services to farming and charitable service to entrepreneurship.
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.
Recent research by Moredun scientists and colleagues has provided new opportunities for the development of diagnostic tests for ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA).
The Moredun Foundation is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the 2017 Moredun Foundation Award Scheme.
Scientists and vets at Moredun Research Institute and Biobest Laboratories Ltd have developed and evaluated a diagnostic test on nasal swabs from thin ewes that could be used to screen flocks for Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma (OPA).
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.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Moredun Foundation today to find out how creative design has been applied to benefit the health and welfare of livestock in a special event to help celebrate Scotland’s year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.
November has seen Moredun Research Institute 'renamed' the Moustache Research Institute all in aid of raising awareness of men’s health.
In response to increasing reports of anthelmintic (wormer) resistance in many of our common gastro-intestinal worms affecting the health and welfare of livestock and horses, Moredun has teamed up with animator Selina Wagner (Blobina Animations) to create an engaging and entertaining short film highlighting the important elements involved in the development and spread of anthelmintic resistance.
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.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Graeme Cook as the new Director for the Centre of Knowledge Exchange and Impact (CKEI) with effect from 12th of September 2016.
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.
The Moredun Research Institute are now an academic partner of the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) which aims to stimulate the growth of the Industrial Biotechnology (IB) industry in Scotland.
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 and The Crown Estate Scotland Portfolio have extended their collaboration to produce Biosecurity information in a clear and concise format aimed to encourage livestock farmers to encompass a proactive approach to disease prevention and control.
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.
Ana Herrero, a PhD student at the Moredun Research Institute and the University of Stirling, was crowned the winning of the Young Scientist Award at the 10th Aquaculture UK Conference in Aviemore last week (25th May).
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.
Congratulations to Moredun Foundation Vice-Chairman Professor Randolph Richards who isthe recipient of this year’s Queen’s Medal, the highest honour that the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) can bestow upon a veterinary surgeon.
The Scottish Government is investing £48M in 2016-2017 for strategic scientific research in the area of rural affairs, food and the environment.
The first case of Nematodirosis causing deaths and scouring in lambs has been confirmed in the Hereford area this week. The lambs were about 4 weeks of age and grazing high risk pasture with south facing slopes.
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.
Moredun was in attendance at the SRUC – SEPA Biennial Conference in Edinburgh this week (1-2nd March 2016) to discuss the environmental, land management and animal health challenges facing the future of our farming systems.
Scottish grey seal pups are found to be infected with forms of Salmonella bacteria, similar to those isolated from livestock and humans, according to a new study.
The Moredun Foundation is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the 2016 Moredun Foundation Award Scheme.
Moredun is very proud to announce that Professor Willie Donachie, former Managing Director of Moredun Scientific and past Deputy Director of Moredun Research Institute, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours for services to animal and veterinary biosciences.