You are in > Home > News & Events > News > SAC Plan a Busy End to January in Argyll – Programme of Events for Farmers and Crofters

SAC Plan a Busy End to January in Argyll – Programme of Events for Farmers and Crofters

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N06
Published: 12 Jan 2011

Flock of sheep in snow (opens in new window)

Staff at SAC’s Oban Office face a very busy end of January with three very different events planned for Colintraive, Bowmore and Ardrishaig. In addition to three venues there are three subjects, sheep health care, pollution awareness and a Muirburn course, postponed from before Christmas by weather problems.

According to Niall Campbell, SAC’s Senior Agricultural Consultant at the Oban Office, the weather has been a problem.

“Two of these events should have happened before Christmas but it just was not possible, given the conditions, so we have had to concertina things a bit in January. They are all important topics where regulations and techniques have changed, so it is important to get the up to date messages out there”.

The Sheep Health Care meeting, on Wednesday 26th January will be at Southall Farm, Colintraive, with lunch and further discussion at Colintraive Hotel. A major element of the day will be foot care as poor feet result in welfare issues and poor performance as well as reduced income. There will be expert advice on topics including lameness, footrot, CODD (Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis), white-line infections and general flock management.  Through the hospitality of Lorne and Joanne Sinclair and a local vet there will be practical sessions in the pens.
 
“Methods of treating feet have moved on since our father’s day“, says Niall “the latest techniques are less severe for the sheep. Likewise new information on sheep wormers and eradication of diseases like BVD in cattle will be valuable”.

On Thursday 27th January attention focuses on Islay and a Pollution awareness day at Island Farm, Bowmore, courtesy of Ian McKerrell. 

According to Niall Campbell, on an island with intensive farming, good food and a lot of environmental tourists it is important producers know about the latest regulations.
 
“We will be covering Manure and slurry spreading recommendations, on-farm pollution prevention and the disposal of sheep dip, pesticides & plastics. If ground conditions permit, there will also be a demonstration of slurry spreading through an umbilical system”.

The Royal Hotel, Ardrishaig will be the venue for discussion about muirburn on Monday 31st January.  It has been organised as a practical day where farmers are encouraged to bring along their own maps of their farm and receive individual advice on planning their own muirburn. This will be a hands-on day with moorland specialist Alistair Hamilton of SAC the main speaker. Alison Phillips, Black Grouse project officer and Helen Bibby SAC Conservation Consultant for Argyll will also be on hand to aid discussion and give individual advice.

“We hope the event is going to be Muirburn with a practical and a scientific approach”, says Niall Campbell “Fire is a good servant but a bad master”.

All the events are funded by The Scottish Government Rural Directorate and delivered by SAC as part of its. Public Good Veterinary and Advisory Services Lunch will be provided so those who wish to go should contact the Oban office (Tel 01631 563093 or email to fbsoban@sac.co.uk) to facilitate catering arrangements.

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

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

Add to Address Book | Help