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Focus On Animal Health At Castle Douglas Event (Archived Content)

SAC News Release Ref. No: 09N68
Published: 14 Oct 2009

SAC Vice Chairman Donald Biggar will use the lessons learned from his own bitter experience in dealing with cattle disease to help others when he hosts a farmers open day at Corbieton Farm, Haugh of Urr on Tuesday, 10th November. Together with leading SAC production and health experts as well as local vets they will address issues surrounding BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea) and Johne's Disease.

SAC economists calculate that losses from BVD in a 100-cow beef herd can exceed £45,000 over a ten-year period.  BVD can be eradicated and the event, near Castle Douglas, will show how to achieve this.  It is part-funded by the Scottish Government as part of its Animal Welfare Advisory Activity.

As recent sales of BVD-free stock have shown there is increasing industry awareness of the benefits of disease-free stock in both production efficiency and market returns. SAC has a proud record of work in this field by experts recognised worldwide. Donald Biggar will detail his health policy at Corbieton and the benefits seen on his unit.

Also on the agenda are sessions looking at the effect and cost of disease outbreaks, the means of disease transmission, the importance of testing, testing protocols and the benefits of a disease-free herd. The messages will concentrate on sound practical advice that can be adopted on any stock farm.

The event will start at Corbieton (DG7 3JJ) at 10.30 am where visitors can examine the beef unit on the farm.  There will be lunch at the Urr Valley Hotel in nearby Castle Douglas followed by talks from leading industry figures and a question and answer session.

Anyone needing more information should contact SAC Dumfries office (Rhidian Jones) on 01387 261172.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Mr Rhidian Jones
Sheep & Beef Consultant
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Consulting, First Floor, Hestan House, Crichton Estate
Dumfries
DG1 4TA
TelWork 01387 261172
MobileWork 0791 969 1841
Fax 01387 251789

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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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