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Insch Event Focus on Managment and Disease Control – SAC Farm Open Day

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N95
Published: 15 Nov 2010

Aberdeenshire beef producers head to Insch on Tuesday 23rd November for a specialist farm open day, organised by SAC. The event will look at management and disease control in beef herds and will be of particular interest to those breeding calves reared and suckled by their mothers for the first part of their lives.

Hosting the event on behalf of SAC is well known farmer George Davidson, who has a herd of 150 of his own suckler cows. His Inschfield Farm is 900 acres in size. The herd and farm will form the basis of discussions on the winter management of both suckler cows and calves, once they have been weaned from their mothers.

A key element of the day will be sessions on two threats to cattle health, BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea) and Johne’s Disease. As well as being a major welfare issue these diseases can be costly and affect production efficiency. With the recent Scottish Government announcement on BVD eradication in Scotland this meeting is very timely and will address concerns that farmers may have.

According to SAC Animal Health Schemes Manager Ian Pritchard,

“The cost of BVD in a herd can be as much as £45,000 over a ten year period and any moves to stay clear of the disease benefits the animals, the farmer and the industry. Many local herds are already accredited free of BVD with significant proportion of those involved in our own SAC Premium Cattle Health Scheme”. 

The event at Inschfield starts at 11.00 am with a farm walk and presentations. It moves for lunch to the nearby Carriages Hotel followed by further presentations from SAC experts, the local Donview Vet practice, NFU Scotland and commercial company Norvite.

The event is part funded by the Scottish Government as part of its Animal Welfare Advisory Activity. For catering purposes it is necessary to phone and book your place.  Contact SAC Thainstone on 01467 625385.

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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