News
New app could help farmers worm fewer lambs
A new farm trial is testing whether sheep farmers can worm fewer lambs without compromising growth, welfare or flock performance.
The two-season project is evaluating SmartWorm, a decision-support app that combines EID data, lamb growth rates, weather, grazing conditions and farmer observations to identify which individual animals actually need treatment.
The trial includes regular veterinary oversight, routine worm egg counts and laboratory support from the Moredun Research Institute, which is carrying out parasite monitoring and resistance testing.
Source: FarmingUK
Funding announced to support Scotland’s animal health, aquaculture and agritech sector
The Scottish Government has announced £150,000 funding to support the future development of Scotland’s animal health, aquaculture and agritech sector. The announcement was made at the Royal Highland Show and coincides with the publication of a new report setting out opportunities to strengthen Scotland’s position in animal health, aquaculture and agritech. The funding is expected to support high-value jobs, particularly in rural and coastal communities, while driving export growth, inward investment and productivity.
International Centre set to transform global animal welfare education
SRUC is set to take a bold new step on the global stage with plans to launch an International Centre for Animal Welfare Science and Education within its School of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences.
The Centre builds on SRUC’s world-leading expertise in animal behaviour and welfare and brings established global partnerships, deep in-house expertise and a strong commitment to capacity building in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
Moredun opens upgraded High Security Unit to support research to protect animal and public health
Moredun Research Institute has opened its upgraded High Security Unit (HSU) following a major programme of refurbishment and sustainability works, strengthening Scotland’s role in protecting animal and public health.
The upgraded facility was officially opened by MP for Midlothian, Kirsty McNeill, marking the completion of works designed to secure the long-term future of one of the UK’s high-containment research facilities.
Advancing microbiological testing with Moredun Scientific
Midlothian Science Zone Business Forum took place on Tuesday 9th December 2025 at Pentlands Science Park, for a presentation and introduction to Moredun Scientific Ltd, to hear more about the company’s biosafety and microbiological testing services.
HRH The Princess Royal visits Moredun Research Institute to learn about emerging livestock diseases linked to climate change
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the Moredun Research Institute on Thursday 30th October 2025 to learn about emerging livestock disease challenges linked to climate change and to meet researchers working to protect animal health in Scotland.
The visit coincided with an event on Livestock Infectious Diseases in a Changing Climate, exploring how changing weather patterns and shifting ecosystems are bringing new disease threats to UK livestock farming.
Moredun welcomes Dr Valentina Busin as new Head of Virus Surveillance Unit
The Moredun Group is delighted to welcome back another familiar face, Dr Valentina Busin has returned to Moredun as Head of Virus Surveillance Unit (VSU).
Valentina is a farm animal veterinarian, specialising in small ruminant medicine and management. After graduating in 2007 from the University of Turin, Italy, she moved to Scotland and spent few years in mixed and farm animal practice, before following her passion for sheep and goats and obtaining the Diploma for the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management in 2014.
MI:RNA secures funding for AI tool to diagnose osteoarthritis earlier in dogs
Veterinary diagnostics company, MI:RNA, has secured funding from Scottish Enterprise to support its research and development project to create a simple, non-invasive test that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a type of biological marker (an indicator of biological conditions), called microRNA, to help diagnose diseases to offer more accurate, accessible, and cost-effective methods of early detection of OA in dogs.
AI tools show promise for veterinary diagnosis
AI tools can support vets in diagnosing disease, research has shown.
A computer model has been trained to recognise a common disease in dogs with an encouraging success rate, underscoring its potential as a veterinary tool.
The approach supports the use of AI for relatively straightforward tasks, to allow vets to concentrate on more complex tasks, according to the team behind the study.
TV Supervet charity backs new human-canine cancer research plan
Scientists in Scotland are leading new work on an aggressive cancer that behaves almost identically across species.
A new study, whose backers hope could herald major advances in cancer treatment for dogs and humans, is being launched today (17 September).
Source: Vet Times