Workshops Timetable
Workshop Area (Sponsored by Innovis) – Building 2
9.30am – 9.55am “Welfare at lamb castration and tail docking alongside the Scottish legislation on ages and acceptable methods”
Kythe Mackenzie BVSc MRCVS a Veterinary investigation officer with SRUC will give an initial overview and some data along with feedback. Hugh & Scott Fraser from Kinchyle Farm, Inverness who have been using ClipFitter™ and Jason & Vic Ballantyne, Clynelish Farm, Brora who have been using Numnuts®, as an alternative to ONLY USING rubber rings, will give their views on the products. Both products are relatively new to the market but are permitted to be used in lambs from 7 days to 3 months.
10.00am – 10.25am “Farming worms for profitable sheep”
Matthew Colston BVM&S, Cert.SHP, MRCVS, Ruminant Technical Consultant at Elanco will take a sheep’s eye view of the challenges posed by gastro-intestinal worms and how we can get better results for the sheep by shifting the focus from worming the sheep to managing the worms (which does include using wormers). Where and when to use the newer group 4 and 5 wormers (eg Zolvix) is an important consideration, as is how to avoid a high worm challenge situation to reduce the need to reach for the wormer bottle.
10.30am – 10.55am “The British Stratified Sheep Group - A proven system, for a sustainable future!”
Derek Hall, Chair of the British Stratified Sheep Group will explain how Hybrid Vigour in sheep production the most forgotten about natural growth and production efficiency enhancer. The more diverse the breeds that you cross the higher the benefits are to the subsequent generation. The stratified sheep system exploits this phenomenon to its maximum. This goes beyond “emissions” it looks at sequestration, biodiversity and the circular economy in well managed hill, upland and lowland sheep production. The principle is simple native breeds in their natural surroundings, the right sheep the right place, maximising carbon capture, making the most of grass, our most abundant and low-cost feed source. Supporting remote rural communities to survive and thrive. Offering a sustainably produced lamb that gives the consumer the peace of mind that the lamb they are buying is good for the planet, naturally produced healthy and is consistent in taste texture and eating quality.
11.00am - 11.25am “Improved Accuracy On Farm”
How do farmers participate in optimizing the genetic evaluations they are using? Quality Meat Scotland’s Dr Emma McGowan workshop presentation will take a deep dive into how one farmer made the best use of his EBVs by improving phenotype accuracy on farm and how much difference it delivered for his genetics and for his business.
11.30am – 11.55am “Finding the right genetics for the way YOU want to farm”
Join Innovis to discuss the importance of aligning to a ram breeder that selects their sheep in an equally hard environment to yours, letting the breeders do the heavy lifting and buying their improvements.
12 Noon - 12.25pm “Optimising Lamb Health with Colostrum: The Key to Stronger, Faster-Growing Lambs!”
Colostrum is more than just antibodies—it’s the fuel for survival, growth, and long-term productivity. From gut health to rumen development, the right start can make all the difference. SCCL’s consultant vet Dr Ryan Davies BVM&S MRCVS explains how colostrum management and different applications can boost lamb health, reduce losses, and maximize performance in your flock.
12.30pm – 12.55pm MSD Animal Health – Theme & Speaker TBC - Managing sheep lameness in 5 Steps
1.30pm – 1.55pm David Griffiths, Principal Research Scientist at Moredun will be talking about Louping ill a virus and transmitted by ticks and the development of a new vaccine.
2.00pm – 2.25pm Farmstrong Scotland - a rural wellbeing programme for the farming and crofting community, sharing peer-to-peer tips and advice to help those within the sector to live well, to farm and croft well.
2.30pm – 2.55pm How does your flock compare to professional athlete?”
A flock at peak performance and professional marathon runners have a lot more in common than you may think. Success of a breeding flock requires year-round management, with nutrition and performance monitoring paramount to this. In this practical session, Kirsten Williams, Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant and Lorna Shaw, Ruminant Nutritionist at SAC Consulting will discuss balancing ewe requirements throughout the year, and hints and tips of how to achieve these. And are you fuelling your athlete’s sufficiently?
3.00pm – 3.25pm Eilidh Geddes, Research Scientist at Moredun will be talking about parasite control (covering Roundworm control including sheep scab)
3.30pm – 3.55pm Dr Chris Cousens, Senior Research Scientist at Moredun - Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA).
