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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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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.