@srucvets.bsky.social
As part of SRUC, we work with vets and industry to provide disease surveillance, diagnostic & laboratory services, livestock health schemes, health planning & Vet CPD. We combine a practical approach with scientific expertise for farm and companion animals
Improving herd health boosts productivity and reduces emissions.
Tackling diseases like BVD and Johne’s, improving fertility, and testing bulls can increase calf output and lower the carbon footprint of beef production.
Johne’s disease can quietly impact herd productivity — but it can be tackled.
At Easter Howgate Farm, a structured control plan through the Premium Cattle Health Scheme helped reduce infection levels to under 3% and improve herd performance.
Read the case study 👇
buff.ly/uLRu0hA
This practical CPD course covers the key endo- and ectoparasites affecting cattle and sheep, including PGE, lungworm, coccidiosis, liver fluke and sheep scab.
Enhance your on-farm impact — book your place now buff.ly/mSryaxI
🎥 Catch up on our BVD Phase 6 webinar!
Make sure you're clued up on Scotland’s progress, what Phase 6 means for vets, the challenges ahead, and how other countries compare — all with SRUC’s Helen Carty.
👉 Watch the recording: buff.ly/MZmjkNk
#BVD #ScotVet #ScotGov #SRUC #CattleHealth
Woodburn Farm is showing what high‑health sheep farming looks like.
MV‑accredited through PSGHS and routinely screening for Johne’s, OPA, CLA, EAE, toxo - plus targeted worming to cut resistance.
A closed, resilient, low‑lameness Poll Dorset flock backed by strong genetics and strong biosecurity.
🚨 Abortion in Ewes (Scotland 2025/26)
EAE and toxo still top causes of abortion, but Schmallenberg is on the rise again. If you see more than a few abortions, keep the lamb + placenta and call your vet quickly. Early action protects the rest of your flock. 🐑🔍
Gareth Mulligan (Afon Vets & Chair of Iechyd Da) chats with Alison Braddock, SRUC Veterinary Services about the upcoming Welsh Sustainability in Farming Scheme, opportunities for vets in the Animal Health Improvement Cycle & the Premium Cattle Health Scheme 👉 tinyurl.com/33tfkmvz @vets.bsky.social
📢 Action Required ⚠️
If you’re affected by the Biobest Laboratory closure, you must complete and return your Closure Declaration to transfer records and protect your herd status under SRUC’s Premium Cattle Health Scheme.
⏳ Deadline: Friday 27th February
Full details: www.cattlehealth.co.uk
Colostrum failures are strongly linked to dystocia and poor suck reflex.
Unassisted ≠ easy — 78% of unassisted calves with a weak reflex didn’t feed in 4 hrs.
Score both at birth and intervene early to prevent FPT.
#Calving #CalfHealth #FarmVet #SRUC #PCHS
🐑 Sheep farmers—your voice matters!
The Lamb Castration Consultation is open now. Share your on‑farm experience and help shape future policy.
🗓️ Closes 9 March
🔗 Link below to take part: buff.ly/4W52ZyP
🐝 New episode!
Alison Braddock chats with SRUC Bee Advisor Lorraine Johnston about hive life, the secret world of bees, and why these tiny pollinators are vital to our food systems.
Plus: tips for supporting bees + upcoming FAS pollinator conferences.
Listen: buff.ly/qPyWUxh
Events: buff.ly/rQBYXEp
Calling all farm vets! Feed your curiosity and sign up to our 'On the Hoof' Podcasts for farm vets in practice 🐑🐄 👉 tinyurl.com/5cnar2ju Visit our website to keep up to date with our Blogs & Disease Surveillance Reports too! #VetCPD #farmvets @srucnews.bsky.social @vets.bsky.social
At Beef Expo, beef farmers can speak directly with our expert vets, SAC consultants, livestock researchers & Agrecalc specialists, all in one place.
Join our practical panels with industry experts and take home advice you can use on farm.
#BeefExpo #BovineHealthHub #BeefFarming #SRUC
Free Vet CPD Live Webinar
🗓 4th March 2026
⏰ 7:00pm
🐄 Keeping Calves Capable: Investigative techniques and strategies for influencing calf health in beef suckling & rearing units
Register here: buff.ly/oW8TmUD
#SRUC #ScotGov #ScotVet #CalfHealth #Beeffarming #FarmVet #VET CPD
Colostrum quality varies more than many farmers realise.
A study of 64 flocks found:
76% of samples >26.5% Brix
Huge variation between flocks
Only 9 flocks consistently high quality
Improve colostrum:
Feed well in late pregnancy (enough space)
High‑protein silage
Monitor udders
Brix test
Gareth Mulligan, Director of Afon Vets in South Wales and Chairman of Iechyd Da, speaks with Alison Braddock from SRUC about the Welsh Government’s new Sustainability in Farming Scheme, launching this March.
A valuable update for farm vets. Have a listen player.captivate.fm/episode/d5ce...
This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re shining a spotlight on the women working across our veterinary investigation, laboratory and post mortem support teams.
From diagnosing disease to supporting animal welfare and public health, their expertise make a difference every day.
Behind every investigation, test result and diagnosis is a team of dedicated scientists and veterinary professionals.
This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re celebrating the women across our services who use their skills and knowledge to support animal health and welfare.
🩺 Free In-Person CPD for Vets – Dumfries
Join us for the next SRUC Veterinary Services Bitesize CPD session featuring guest speaker Alan Murphy (APHA).
Topic: Toxicological Tales
📅 24th February
⏰ 7:30pm
📍 Holiday Inn, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4UQ
RSVP by emailing OnTheHoof@sruc.ac.uk
HiHealth Herdcare members affected by the Biobest Laboratories closure can transfer their membership to the SRUC Premium Cattle Health Scheme with minimal disruption.
⚠️If your herd is due to test within the next month, please contact us as a matter of urgency so we can support you and avoid delays.
A new survey is now open to gather views from everyone working across the ruminant industry. Your feedback will help identify what data is available, where the challenges lie, and how we can support farmers and vets.
🔗 Take part here: bit.ly/Ruminant-Roa...
New Silage Results Highlight Energy Shortfall for Winter 2025/26
Forage testing is essential
Rations may need extra supplementation
Metabolic profiling to prevent issues before they appear
Low-energy forage can impact colostrum, neonatal survival, growth rates, fertility, and metabolic disease risk
🌱 Suckler & Sheep Nutrition in Late Pregnancy and Lactation🌱
Spring often brings a wave of herd and flock health challenges — from poor body condition and slow calvings to weak lambs and neonatal disease.
📅 Monday 16th February
🕧 19:00
👉 Free to attend – register now via the link buff.ly/9vQaBR0
🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF BIOBEST LABORATORIES 🚨
SRUC’s PCHS is working closely with Biobest to support members who wish to transfer and continue their herd health accreditation with as little disruption as possible.
Visit www.cattlhealth.co.uk
A pleasure to host NFU Next Generation delegates at our Pentlands Science Park labs!
From our high‑throughput robotics to our microbiology surveillance work, the group got an inside look at how we handle 600k+ samples a year and support animal health nationwide.
Hear from SRUC's Lorraine Johnston with expertise in honeybee health, pests, diseases & pollination.
Learn how pollinators support biodiversity & food production, and get practical tips to help them thrive.
27 Feb 2026 SRUC Barony Campus
🔗 buff.ly/HN1N40T
With lambing underway for many, here are some tips:
🌾 Pre‑Lambing Nutrition
💉 Vaccinations
🍼 Colostrum is Key
🧤 Hygiene Matters
🌡️ Keep Them Warm
🚑 Monitor & Get Help Early
Being proactive with nutrition, hygiene, and health planning, you can reduce losses and set your flock up for a productive year.
Ewe’ve got this. Less than a week of January left. Keep plodding on! 💚
Pic credit: Matt Webb
Land, Legacy and Leadership is the theme for the 2026 Farm Advisory Service Women in Ag conference in Edinburgh on 11th Feb. We are booked already 🥳 - details at www.fas.scot/events/event/women-in-agriculture-conference-2026/
Langstone Mill, near Ross-on-Wye, has been family-run for over 60 years. Now managed by two generations, the farm runs 70 acres of pasture and a pedigree Charollais flock established in 1983.
🔗 Read the full article on our Health Schemes Members' Blog buff.ly/AzaP1Nn
#SRUC #PSGHS #MaediVisna