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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.

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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...
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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.