August 21, 2020

Orkney livestock group forges partnership with Moredun Research Institute

The Orkney Livestock Association (OLA) in Scotland has partnered with Moredun Research Institute to give its members access to the latter's research outputs, knowledge, skills and expertise, which are targeted to improve animal health and welfare and increase the sustainable efficiency of livestock production.

The partnership will also give OLA members access to the Moredun members' area, which is stacked with a wealth of livestock health information including the full range of technical newssheets, as well as promote working together on joint events and initiatives.

Under the partnership, OLA members will likewise be eligible to apply for the annual Moredun Foundation Award Scheme and be able to contact Moredun directly to get further advice on particular disease issues.

Moredun celebrates its 100th foundation anniversary this year, and its research outputs have made a major impact both in the UK and globally, due in large part to the unique relationship Moredun has with the farming community and the emphasis it puts on effective knowledge exchange with livestock producers.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Beth Wells of Moredun said: "… [W]e have been fortunate to meet many of Orkney's livestock farmers, who are well known for their high-quality beef production and we are delighted to be developing a closer working collaboration with OLA, which will be of huge benefit to both of our organisations".

Willie Stewart of OLA, meanwhile, described the Moredun Research Institute as a world leader in the development of livestock vaccines, animal-disease tests and control plans. "I believe that OLA representing the cattle industry in Orkney can have a strong association with Moredun in the future".

Moredun currently has over 12,000 members from the farming, veterinary and animal health community, and farmers sit on Moredun's governing boards. Orkney is represented at Moredun by well-known retired vet Willie Stewart, who is the chair of Moredun's North of Scotland Regional Advisors Board. He informs Moredun of the particular disease problems challenging Orkney livestock.

OLA is a farmer-led organisation that aims to improve the health of Orkney's cattle herds. It was officially launched in February 2001 with a programme to eradicate bovine viral diarrhea; a Johne's disease eradication scheme followed in November 2008. OLA is a sub-group of HiHealth Herdcare, which is a national cattle health scheme.