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Submissions open for new £154k pig farming awards scheme
The winner will recieve a £154,000 grant to go towards project implementation.

New award recognises outstanding achievements in pig industry

MSD Animal Health UK is calling for submissions for its new High-Quality Pork - Precision Farming Award. A new award created to encourage innovation in the pig farming industry.

The award is aimed at pig producers who demonstrate an interest in bolstering pig farming and the health and wellbeing of animals. The winner will receive a £154,000 grant towards their project.

MSD Animal Health is asking for projects that focus on precision farming in pigs, with a demonstrated proof of concept and business model, if available. Topics of interest include herd health management, genetics and reproduction, streamlining of day-to-day activities, traceability and artificial intelligence.

The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2020. More information can be found on the MSD Animal Health website.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.