Staff from the Moredun Institute which specialises in farming, livestock and sustainable agriculture research will be in Shetland later this month, to visit schools & meet the local farming community
Four research staff from the Institute will take part in the five-day visit from 26th to 30th August, for community engagement sessions around Shetland. The four staff – Drs Stewart Burgess, Dave Bartley, Craig Watkins and Beth Wells – have a range of research specialisms, from worm and sheep scab control methods, to equine grass sickness.
The group will visit schools at Mid-Yell, Aith, Whalsay, Brae and Sandwick, using the ‘BioBus’ – the institute’s outreach bus and mobile laboratory. During their visit they hope to educate school pupils about the latest animal research and to promote higher standards of livestock health and welfare.
The group will also be holding free interactive drop-in sessions, as below, for local farmers and crofters to learn about egg counting for anthelmintic worm resistance and view microscopic sheep scab mites, as below.
Monday 26th August 2024
- 1.15pm - 2.15pm* – Drop in Session – Mid Yell Junior High School car park (*not 3-4pm as previously advertised)
Tuesday 27th August
- 3-4pm – Drop in Session – Michaelswood car park, Aith
- 7-9pm – Public seminar on equine grass sickness and equine worm control, Islesburgh Community Centre
Wednesday 28th August
- 4-5pm – Drop in Session – Brae High School car Park
- 7-9pm – CPD workshop for local veterinary staff
Thursday 29th August
- 12 noon-1pm* – Drop in Session – by Harbison Park astroturf pitch, Whalsay (*not 1-2pm as previously advertised)
Friday 30th August
- 8am-10.30am – Drop in Session – Lerwick Marts
The visit has been organised jointly by the Shetland Animal Health Scheme and the Developing the Young Workforce (‘DYW’) Shetland teams. It is hoped that school visits will provide an opportunity for young people to explore courses of study and potential careers in agriculture, animal health science and veterinary medicine.
Lucia Malcolmson, Animal Health Research Officer with Shetland Islands Council, said “This is an exciting opportunity for young people to learn more about the Moredun Institute and hear first-hand about some of the latest agriculture and livestock research. The visiting research team are keen also to engage with the local farming and crofting community to discuss a wide variety of agricultural topics. I’d urge anyone with an interest to come along to one of the drop-in sessions.”
For more information please visit the Shetland Animal Health Scheme website