Moredun Magazine Issue 13

Moredun ISSUE 13 | SPRING/SUMMER 2017

magazine

HRH the Princess Royal visits Moredun Vaccinating cattle against E.coli O157 Launch of SEFARI

www.moredun.org.uk

Director’s comment Photo | Jim Mackintosh

Contents In this Issue: p1-3

News

p4

Research - Leprosy in red squirrel populations

p5

Moredun Scientific/ Pentlands Science Park

p6

HRH The Princess Royal visits Moredun

p8

Out and About

p10

Vaccinating cattle against E. coli O157

p12

Focus On: SEFARI Centre for Knowledge Exchange and Impact

p13

Supporting the next generation

Welcome to the latest issue of the Moredun magazine. For those of you that have been involved with lambing and calving this spring we do hope it has been a successful season. We look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming agricultural shows and events leading towards the summer months.

This issue highlights some of our current livestock health research topics along with our outreach projects working in collaboration with others across the industry.

Firstly, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to John Campbell and Professor Lee Innes. John received a Knighthood in the New Year’s Honours for services to farming and charitable service to entrepreneurship; whilst Lee Innes was welcomed as a new Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and picked up an award at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards.

You can read more about their achievements and other announcements in the news section of this issue (pages 1-3).

Following the attention IBR has received after its appearance in a storyline for BBC Radio 4 – The Archers, we have included a short summary of the respiratory disease on page 11. Our work towards a vaccine to control E. coli O157 is discussed on page 10; whilst an interesting project on wildlife health is documented on page 4.

In order to enhance the impact of Scottish Government research, we were delighted to be involved in the launch of a new centre for knowledge exchange and impact this March.

SEFARI (Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes) will work across Moredun and five other world leading institutes to ensure that individuals, businesses, charities, communities and policy makers will benefit from easier access to scientific outputs and information. SEFARI has already helped enhance our knowledge exchange work, with Moredun staff being successful in bids for funding for new outreach projects (page 12).

Finally I would like to thank our partners and supporters across the livestock industry for all their help with our work. We do hope you enjoy this issue of our magazine and we look forward to strengthening our collaborations going forward.

Julie Fitzpatrick Scientific Director and Chief Executive

Moredun Magazine Moredun magazine is produced twice a year and is available free of charge.

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Please contact: Moredun Communications Team, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

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The Moredun Foundation is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland No. SC151865.

The Moredun Foundation is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC022515 Address: Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland, EH26 0PZ. Cover image: www.pixabay.com

NEWS

Photo | Interface

Success for Moredun’s Director of Communications

February saw much deserved honour bestowed upon Moredun’s Professor Lee Innes, who was elected as a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and awarded a Scottish Knowledge Exchange Award in the same month.

Professor Lee Innes, a renowned scientist and Moredun’s Director of Communications, receives her Scottish Knowledge Exchange Award from Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, University of Dundee & Chair of Interface Strategic Board.

Professor Innes was recognised for her

Lee’s RSE Fellowship sees her join a renowned

Lee and her team, that have captured the

and diverse group of experts whose role is to

essence of the excitement of our science and

work developing innovative knowledge

support the Society’s mission to advance

its impact on multiple communities across

exchange activities and events to help connect

learning and knowledge across all areas of

Scotland and further afield.”

scientific researchers with a broad range of

public life. With support from its members the

Drawn from across sectors that range from

different stakeholders to improve the uptake

RSE is able to take part in a host of activities

the arts, business, science and technology and

and application of new technologies. She has

such as providing independent and expert

academia, new Fellows are elected to the RSE

been instrumental in helping to grow the

advice to Government and Parliament;

each year through a rigorous five-stage

membership of the Moredun Foundation to

supporting aspiring entrepreneurs through

nomination process.

more than 12 000 members from across the

mentorship; facilitating education programmes

President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh,

livestock industry and has worked to ensure

for young people and engaging the general

Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell,

that new research findings are used effectively

public through educational events.

commented, “Each newly elected Fellow has

to improve livestock health and welfare and

been nominated on their exceptional and

farm productivity.

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Scientific

More recently, Professor Innes led a

Director and Chief Executive of Moredun, said,

extensive achievements; it is a great honour to

“We were absolutely delighted to hear that

welcome such a range of outstanding

successful bid to create a new collective

Professor Lee Innes had been elected as a

individuals to the Fellowship. In joining the RSE

(SEFARI - see page 12) which works to increase

Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. It is a

Fellowship, they will strengthen the Society’s

the impact of the research outputs from the

great personal honour and achievement for

capacity to advance excellence across all areas

world leading Scottish research institutes at

Lee, and is very well deserved. The RSE

of public life in Scotland and further afield.”

the forefront of the Scottish Government’s £250M investment in agriculture, food and

Fellowship recognises the contribution Lee has

The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards

environmental research.

scientists, policy makers, politicians, commercial companies and the public in the

Later in February, Professor Lee Innes went on

were organised by Interface, an organisation

area of livestock research and development

to receive an award for Outstanding

which helps to match businesses to world

over many years. Of particular note are the

Contribution to Knowledge Exchange at the

leading Scottish universities and research

innovative and creative events, designed by

Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards.

institutes to stimulate innovation.

made to knowledge exchange among

The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

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News

Photo | © OvertheCounter

Moredun Regional Advisor wins Farm Animal Health Advisor of the Year

Scott Brown, South of Scotland Regional Advisor, collects his Farm Animal Health Advisor of the Year award.

It was celebrations all round in November when Scott Brown, one of our South of Scotland regional advisors, was announced as Farm Animal Health Advisor of the Year at the OvertheCounter Awards.

The OvertheCounter Awards is a chance for the animal health industry to spotlight

get the recognition he deserves.

Scott works for the Dumfries based

individuals and companies who go the extra

veterinary pharmacy Murray Farmcare as a

mile – and more – for their customers

territory manager covering Midlothian and

through their knowledge, passion and

the Scottish Borders, and has been a

dedication. We are delighted for Scott to

Moredun regional advisor since 2013.

Knighthood for Moredun Foundation Board Member We were delighted to hear the news in January that Moredun Foundation board member John Campbell, founder and chairman of the Glenrath Farms empire, was awarded a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List.

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

John has been a member of the Moredun

leading egg production and marketing

Foundation Board since 2013, bringing a

companies. John also owns and farms 14,000

wealth of expertise to the position from his

hill and upland acres in the Scottish Borders

experiences in business and farming. His

and Ayrshire with his family. This well-

family-owned business, Glenrath Farms, was

deserved award honours John’s services to

established in the Scottish Borders in 1959 and

farming and charitable service to

has since grown to become one of the UK’s

entrepreneurship.

NEWS

Moredun’s Regional Advisors Workshop: Exchanging ideas and best practice In March, we welcomed our regional advisors back to Pentlands Science Park for the second Moredun Regional Advisors Workshop.

The event again provided a great opportunity for some of our new regional advisors to gain a much better understanding of life at the science coal face and of some of the challenges and opportunities facing the institute.

Likewise, it also provided our scientists with a chance to hear more about the work of our regional advisors and gain a better insight into the workings of the livestock industry in general. This two way exchange of knowledge and expertise is invaluable and is at the heart of what makes Moredun unique.

The theme of connecting and maximising awareness continued throughout the workshop as we reviewed our activities and looked at how best our regional advisor

Working hard to ensure your voice is heard

Exchanging ideas at Moredun’s Regional Advisors Workshop.

network can continue to support Moredun’s outreach programme going forward.

A successful and thoroughly enjoyable two

days were had by all and we look forward to working together to continue to deliver and improve our engagement activities.

Moredun’s science and practical outputs.

board of The Moredun Foundation allowing them to represent the views and issues of their region.

The work of our regional advisors is vital.

They act as ambassadors and help ensure Moredun’s work is accessible to all whilst helping to maintain our understanding of not just the national but also the local issues affecting the livestock industry.

Our regional advisors cover different corners of England, Scotland and Wales and

The Moredun Foundation has an established group of over 30 regional advisors from different sectors of the industry who represent their local region; keeping us up to date with livestock health issues across the UK and working with us to promote

are organised into five regional boards: South of England, North of England, South of Scotland, North of Scotland and Wales.

The chairperson from each region is appointed as a full member of the main

Bobby and Anne Lennox receive NFU Scotland Ambassador Award Moredun’s North of Scotland regional advisor, Bobby Lennox and his wife Anne, are winners of the NFU Scotland and NFU Mutual’s prestigious Ambassador Award.

Bobby and Anne, of Shantron Farm, near Luss on Loch Lomond-side were one of the farming couples to star in the BBC’s award-winning

Bobby and Anne Lennox.

‘This Farming Life’ programme, and are worthy recipients of the Ambassador Award, which recognises those who have been influential in communicating the work, challenges and value of Scottish food and farming.

The award is also recognition for the couple’s contribution to hill farming, the young farmers’ movement, education and tourism over many years.

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

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Research

Photo | Jim Wilson

Leprosy in red squirrel populations After first diagnosing leprosy in red squirrel populations in 2015, Moredun scientists are working with Helen Butler from the Wight Squirrel Project and Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust to help discover the extent of the problem on the island.

Funded by the Wight Squirrel Project, Helen visited Moredun in April to undergo work experience and training in molecular techniques used to detect the bacteria, Mycobacterium lepromatosis, which is known

to cause leprosy in red squirrels.

Helen worked with Dr Karen Stevenson and colleagues to progress her conservation work by enabling her to analyse samples from squirrels that have been found dead on the island and determine how many were infected.

By identifying the prevalence of leprosy in the red squirrel population the project will help strengthen the understanding of the health and wellbeing of one of the remaining strongholds of red squirrels in the UK and play its part in conserving this much loved native species.

Disease File:

Control of enzootic abortion in sheep Infectious abortion is one of the major flock health problems faced by sheep farmers and has a significant financial impact on production. A wide range of pathogens are capable of infecting sheep and causing abortion.

Chlamydia abortus (enzootic abortion of ewes) is one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of infectious abortion in sheep in the UK and was responsible for 42% of cases submitted to veterinary investigation centres between 2006 and 2013 (data from VIDA Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis Analysis).

Strategies for control depend upon the

bedding should be disposed of promptly

initial infection status of the animals within

by burning or burial and aborted ewes

the flock.

should be isolated until vulval discharges have cleared (about 7-10 days). Infected

In flocks free of infection

lambing pens should be cleaned, disinfected

The purchase of replacement stock is a

and, if practical, not re-used for that

common way for infection to enter the

lambing season.

flock, therefore purchase replacements from “EAE-free accredited� flocks.

Diagnosis The development and commercialisation of a Chlamydia abortus diagnostic blood-test by Moredun scientists has been a major achievement. The test allows for accurate diagnosis by detecting the presence of antibodies to C. abortus in blood samples from infected sheep.

Abortions due to C. abortus typically occur in the last few weeks of pregnancy and often the first indication that something is wrong is the appearance of a stillborn lamb two to three weeks prior to the expected lambing date.

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

Treatment In the case of an active outbreak, treatment with oxytetracycline may reduce losses. Your vet will be able to advise on the most appropriate control strategy for your flock.

Vaccination If chlamydial infection is already established in a flock or area, there are several commercially available vaccines (live

During a chlamydial abortion outbreak

attenuated and inactivated) which may help

The primary aim is to prevent the spread of

in the control of the disease. Your veterinary

infection within the flock, therefore good

surgeon will be able to advise you as to

hygiene and husbandry practice is key.

which product would be most suitable for

Abortion material and contaminated

use on your farm.

Moredun Scientific/Pentlands Science Park

Photo | Jim Mackintosh

Tools to tackle Cryptosporidium: Safeguarding livestock and human health Cryptosporidiosis, caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium, leads to production losses in livestock farming and is also a significant cause of disease and morbidity in humans.

analysed by the water company`s quality assurance laboratories to maintain the safety of treated water supplies and reduce the threat to human health.

Moredun Scientific is able to actively support this process through the provision of

At Moredun Scientific we have an established experimental Cryptosporidium challenge model which enables us to test novel and improved vaccines, therapeutics and disease control measures for our animal health company clients. There is increasing interest in the use of these models which reflects the importance of Cryptosporidium control to the livestock industry.

Cryptosporidium is also recognised worldwide as a major contaminant in drinking and recreational waters. Due to its resistance to standard water disinfection processes, the levels of Cryptosporidium oocysts are regularly

standardised Cryptosporidium test materials.

This service helps enable the testing laboratories to competently measure and enumerate Cryptosporidium oocysts in water supplies, and demonstrate the validity of their results to regulatory bodies and customers.

These standardised materials also allow the laboratories to independently assess and monitor their own analytical performance over time for a range of Cryptosporidium levels and species.

To learn more about these services please contact us: info@moredun-scientific.com

Busy period for Pentlands Science Park The early months of 2017 have been extremely busy for PSP on a number of fronts.

In January we discovered the new rating assessments for the Park properties. The average increase in rateable values was around 3.5% but we had one or two notable exceptions with proposed increases as high as 49%, 54% and even 123% for one of our smaller properties. We are not alone in experiencing some quite exceptional increases which, given economic events since the previous revaluation, are difficult to

Lenny Marshall’s retirement presentation.

comprehend. Appeals are being prepared for submission to the assessor.

Some of the projects we are working on include an upgrade of our planned maintenance software to help us deliver a more efficient service; an upgrade of the air conditioning unit to our lecture theatre; fitting out a small laboratory for one of our existing tenants; and the sterilisation and chemical clean of the sal tanks, which form a vital part of the high containment drainage system. We also

redecorated the finance office, two meeting rooms and the lecture theatre - so all are looking at their best again.

January also saw Jacqui Tomlins join us as our new Facilities Manager as successor to Lenny Marshall. Lenny has been a bit of a legend at Moredun and spent 38 years with the organisation - the final 23 as Facilities Manager at PSP. Lenny retired on 31st March and the

two month overlap which Jacqui enjoyed with him has ensured a smooth transition of duties.

Lenny will be a much missed character around the place, as will his penny farthing at reception! He was overwhelmed with gifts and good wishes on his retiral including a special presentation by the PSP Board. He has made a fantastic contribution to the Park and we wish him well in his retirement.

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

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Events Photo | Jim Mackintosh

HRH The Princess Royal visits Moredun

Photo | Jim Mackintosh

HRH The Princess Royal enjoys a tour of Moredun’s laboratories.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Moredun back in November to find out how creative design can be applied to benefit the health and welfare of livestock. This special event during Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design highlighted the important role excellent design and innovative collaboration play in producing new products, technologies and creative communication tools for the livestock industry.

The Princess Royal was joined by over 100 representatives from the livestock and Dr Valentina Busin.

agricultural industries, government and research communities to listen to case studies presented by some of Moredun’s early career

6

scientists. Dr Valentina Busin presented her

diagnostic test for sheep scab; Dr Dan Price

nematode worms and Dr Thomas Tzelos

work, in collaboration with Heriot Watt

described how the application of new protein

presented a short animated film on parasite

University, looking at how smart engineering

expression technologies have revolutionised

control and prevention of drug resistance to

has enabled the design of a rapid penside

the development of new vaccines against

show how innovative design can help to

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

Photo | Jim Mackintosh

EVENTS

L to R: Ian Duncan Millar, HRH The Princess Royal, Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Andrew Gilmour.

communicate complex scientific information in an easy to understand and informative way.

disease research collaboration.

During her visit The Princess Royal was

memory of the founding of these objectives should – over 200 years later – be awarded

delighted to present Moredun’s Scientific

to those who stand by the same convictions.

Moredun Foundation commented on the day,

Director and Chief Executive, Professor Julie

Our judging panel of previous winners and

“Moredun is delighted to welcome Her Royal

Fitzpatrick, with the prestigious and historic

Club officials took little time to recommend a

Highness The Princess Royal to our event

Royal Smithfield Club Bicentenary Trophy.

most eminent recipient, Professor Julie

Mr Ian Duncan Millar, Chairman of the

where we are showcasing the very exciting

The Royal Smithfield awards its

Fitzpatrick OBE, who has made an outstanding

new research being conducted by our early

magnificent Bicentenary Trophy to publicly

contribution through her work to help

career scientists. Their projects help highlight

recognise an individual’s significant

promote the highest standards of livestock

the benefits of applying innovative design to

contribution to the overall benefit of the

health and welfare both in the UK and

improve the health and welfare of livestock.”

British meat and livestock industry. Andrew

worldwide.”

During her visit, The Princess Royal met

Gilmour, immediate Past President of the

The award had been kept secret from

guests including a group of post-graduate

Royal Smithfield Club, gave a speech to

Professor Fitzpatrick and it was a genuine

students and early career scientists, and

introduce the award before the trophy was

surprise on the day; an occasion greatly

representatives from the farming industry, the

presented to Professor Julie Fitzpatrick by

enjoyed by all the guests at the event.

design industry, the Scottish research institutes

The Princess Royal.

and the Equine Grass Sickness Fund. A private

Andrew Gilmour said, “The Royal Smithfield

The historic trophy is a beautiful silver Armada Dish, around the rim of which are 25

tour of the laboratories followed where

Club was formed in 1798 and the objectives of

golden guineas, which represent the loan of

The Princess Royal met scientists involved in

the club are research into, and promotion of,

25 guineas made by the House of Lords

livestock disease surveillance and diagnostics,

best practice in the production of quality

Farmers Club to help the foundation of

the E.coli research group and the Johne’s

primestock. It is fitting that a trophy in

The Smithfield Club. Each of the guineas was given by a person, or company, with long

Photo | Jim Mackintosh

association with the Club; the best known being The Late Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, who was President of The Royal Smithfield Show in 1983 and from 1987 to 2001.

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick said, “I am greatly honoured to receive this historic and prestigious award from the Royal Smithfield Club and it was such an unexpected and lovely surprise. I would like to thank all my colleagues at Moredun, the staff, our board members and our foundation members for their significant contributions to promote the health and welfare of livestock. My sincere thanks go to the Royal Smithfield Club and to the livestock industry which I am very proud to be part of HRH The Princess Royal meets representatives from the farming industry.

through my role at Moredun.”

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

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Out and About Roadshow roundup Moredun’s roadshow exists to support

attending the free events throughout the UK,

the livestock industry, help promote

from Orkney in the North to Cornwall in the

livestock health and answer queries about

South. The series featured a number of

disease control.

collaborations with other organisations such as

The 2016 Moredun Livestock Health

the Cairngorms National Park Authority, NSA,

Roadshow provided an excellent opportunity

Waitrose, Dalehead, Livestock Health Scotland

for local producers and those working in

and SAC Consulting; as well as a guest spot in

livestock health to come together and discuss

the Orkney Agricultural Discussion Society’s

a number of livestock health issues at either

programme of talks.

the four on farm day events or at one of the nine traditional evening meetings.

We would like to thank all the speakers for their time and knowledge delivering the

Following on from the success of our on

excellent sessions, the host farms for their kind

farm events (Issue 12 – Autumn/Winter 2016)

permission and hospitality, and the chairman,

the evening roadshow series ran from 24th

local supporters and collaborators for all

October to 9th November and featured

helping to make these meetings such a success.

subjects including cryptosporidiosis, Johne’s

We would also like to thank QMS, HCC, Zoetis,

disease, toxoplasmosis, OPA, sheep scab, liver

Norbrook, and the Scottish Government for

and rumen fluke, worm control, lameness,

their kind sponsorship of the roadshow series

mastitis, nutrition and enzootic abortion.

and Elanco, Ritchie’s (both Arnbathie) and the

The 2016 Moredun Livestock Health

Cairngorms National Park Authority

Roadshow was an outstanding success with

(Ballindalloch) for additional sponsorship of

large numbers of farmers, vets and SQPs

the on farm events.

Edinburgh International Science Festival 2017 Moredun were delighted to take part in the Edinburgh International Science Festival in April. Disease Detectives at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was an interactive exhibition for children with hands on activities about detecting and diagnosing disease.

Our scientists garnered enthusiastic responses from budding scientists and their parents, as they guided the children through a series of interactive activities. The children helped our very own Farmer Fred to diagnose what was wrong with his flock by collecting and testing samples for bacteria, viruses and parasites. It proved to be a highly popular event with children and adults alike and received some excellent feedback.

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

Disease Detectives at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

OUT AND ABOUT

Photo | Kevin McCollum

Forthcoming Shows & Events 2017 Tuesday 16th May NSA Welsh Sheep, Brecon, Powys Thursday 18th May Beef Expo, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire Wednesday 31st May NSA Highland Sheep, Contin, Ross-shire Wednesday 7th June NSA North Sheep, Tow Law, Country Durham Thursday 8th June Scottish Beef Event, Earlston, Berwickshire Tuesday 20th June NSA Sheep South West, Nr Tiverton, Devon Thursday 22nd – Sunday 25th June Royal Highland Show, Ingliston, Nr Edinburgh

The Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh.

Hands on worm workshop

Thank you

Helping farmers change their worm control

As a registered charity The Moredun Foundation is indebted to its members and supporters for donations to help ensure that vital areas of our work can continue. Special thanks must go to the following organisations, all of whom have made donations to The Moredun Foundation in the last twelve months. Their support is greatly appreciated.

practices to reduce anthelmintic use and resistance may also benefit production efficiency.

A Scottish Environment Food and Agriculture Research Institutes (SEFARI) grant (see page 12) has enabled Moredun and SRUC to work with vets to create interactive workshops for their clients. The workshops focus on the benefits of using diagnostic faecal

Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association

worm egg counts (FWEC) and Electronic

Border Union Agricultural Society

Identification (EID) to assist in developing

Friends & family of the Late John Hepburn

sustainable worm control strategies.

Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales)

The first workshop was held in Tomintoul, in collaboration with the Crown Estate Scotland

J & JR Wilson Trust

and Speyside Veterinary Centre. The event

Norbrook

included a pop-up laboratory where farmers

Perth Ram Society

were able to analyse samples from their own

Quality Meat Scotland

sheep. A further workshop will be held on farm in Kelso with Galedin Vets, after which the

RHASS

benefits of using FWECs and EID monitoring on

Swinton Charitable Trust

production efficiency in lambs will be analysed using data from participating farmers.

Analysing samples at our pop-up lab.

Zoetis

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

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Research Will vaccinating cattle against E. coli O157 reduce the incidence of human disease?

Photo | Arvind Mahajan

An interesting project funded by Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standards Agency aims to help answer this question.

E.coli O157.

Escherichia coli O157 is an important cause of human disease resulting in severe diarrhoea and in some cases fatal renal failure as a result of specific toxins (Shiga-toxins) that the bacteria produce. First identified in the early 1980’s, it is now known that cattle are the main reservoirs of infection, where unlike humans, the bacteria cause no obvious signs of disease. People can be infected with the bacteria through direct contact with cattle faeces, or indirect contact with contaminated water, food, or the environment.

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

To reduce the incidence of disease in humans,

partners across the UK, therefore focused

considerable efforts have been made to reduce

on understanding:

shedding of E. coli O157 in cattle populations,

•

which is present in around 20% of Scottish

vary in their ability to transmit

cattle herds at any one time. Over the last decade Moredun, together with the Roslin

between cattle •

What determines a particular strain’s

•

How control measures such as vaccines

Institute and SRUC, has developed a highly effective vaccine to control E. coli O157 in cattle under experimental challenge conditions. How this vaccine will perform in the field where it will have to protect against a diverse range of different E. coli O157 strains,

Whether different strains of E. coli O157

ability to transmit between cattle may affect overall prevalence of E. coli O157 in our cattle herds A series of experiments have been

with potentially different abilities to infect

performed to determine levels of bacterial

cattle, is unknown.

shedding and transmission rates for a number

The current project, involving multiple

of naturally occurring E. coli O157 strains.

RESEARCH

These studies have shown that different strains vary considerably in their ability to transmit between cattle and have identified a particular bacterial factor which is highly important for cow-to-cow transmission. The ability of our experimental vaccine to prevent cattle being infected with a highly transmissible strain of E. coli O157 has also been tested.

We are now using mathematical models developed from our transmission and vaccination study data to predict the impact of vaccination of cattle against E. coli O157 at farm, regional and national levels. This information will critically inform further evaluation and deployment of the vaccine to control E. coli O157 in our cattle populations, with the ultimate aim of reducing the incidence Different E.coli O157 strains vary in their ability to transmit between cattle.

of human disease.

Disease File:

IBR A spotlight was shone on IBR this spring when it featured as a main plotline on BBC Radio 4 – The Archers. Our IBR Disease File aims to provide listeners and nonlisteners alike with a summary of this highly contagious respiratory disease.

region; cattle participating in shows and professional visitors not wearing protective clothing

Mode of transmission BoHV-1 is most commonly introduced following purchase of, or contact with, cattle excreting infectious virus. The virus

•

Nose-to-nose contact over fences should be minimised and double fencing with a gap of at least 3m is advised

•

Sharing of equipment, including vehicles and trailers, should be kept to a minimum and these should be cleaned and disinfected before use with IBR-negative cattle

•

Animals that have been moved from linked premises, or have strayed offfarm, should be quarantined and tested as for purchased cattle

•

All visitors should disinfect hands, clothing and equipment before coming into contact with at-risk animals, or when moving between groups of animals with different IBR status

is easily passed between animals by aerosol/nose-to-nose contact. After the first infection, the virus is never totally removed from the animal. The virus can remain dormant in what is known as a

What is IBR?

latent (hidden) infection. At times of stress,

IBR stands for Infectious Bovine

such as transport or calving, symptoms can

Rhinotracheitis, a highly-infectious viral

reappear as the virus begins to multiply

disease that causes flu-like symptoms in

again and may be re-excreted from the

cattle. Animals may present with coughing,

nose and eyes; threating the health of

fever and discharge from the nose and eyes

the herd once more.

as a result of the virus BoHV-1 - a bovine herpesvirus.

Prevention BoHV-1 vaccines are very good at

What impact does it have?

preventing clinical disease and reducing virus

Although most cattle recover from the

spread, however, they may not be able to

disease it can also cause milk drop in dairy

prevent a lifelong latent infection.

cows, fertility problems, abortion, deaths in

Biosecurity has a very important part to

young calves, and predispose cattle to other

play in reducing the likelihood of disease

respiratory diseases. As a result IBR within

getting onto the farm:

the herd can result in a severe hit to a

•

Risk factors for herds include: purchasing

farm’s profitability and, of course, concerns

cattle; large herd size; presence of dairy

for animal welfare.

cattle; high density of herds in the

Effective control depends on a good understanding of the infection process, knowledge of the disease status of your herd and implementation of a herd health plan.

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

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Focus On...

Photo | Š Mark Hamblin/2020VISION/CNPA

SEFARI Centre for Knowledge Exchange and Impact

SEFARI funding sees Moredun work closely with the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Moredun is one of the six world renowned research institutes involved in the delivery of the Strategic Research Programme (SRP), one of the largest interdisciplinary research programmes on Agriculture, Food and the Environment in the UK. Funded by the Scottish Government, the SRP brings together multidisciplinary scientific and knowledge exchange expertise from Moredun, The James Hutton Institute, Scotland’s Rural College, The Rowett Institute, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland.

This Programme delivers world leading

dealing with a changing climate; and building

institute to further develop avenues for science

resilient rural communities.

communication and knowledge exchange, and

In order to enhance the impact of this research and to improve the understanding of its importance, a new centre for knowledge

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users as possible.

Dr Beth Wells was successful in winning a

exchange and impact was launched in March.

fellowship to work with the Cairngorm

SEFARI (Scottish Environment, Food and

National Park Authority to look at how the

Agriculture Research Institutes) will work

research being conducted by the Strategic

across the six institutes to ensure that

Research Programme could be better utilised

individuals, businesses, charities, communities

by the landmanagers, gamekeepers and

and policy makers will benefit from easier

farmers working within the National Park.

access to scientific outputs and information.

SEFARI will make the links between

Dr Beth Wells and Dr Dave Bartley were successful in winning funding to look at the

researchers and information users through

use of precision farming technologies to drive

innovative events, conferences and key

production efficiency in Scottish sheep flocks.

conversations to promote and utilise research

Gastro-intestinal nematodes (GIN) infections

findings; to underpin policy making; and to

rank as one of the top three production

deliver real-world solutions for individuals,

limiting endemic diseases of livestock, but

society and business.

uptake of sustainable control

research tackling some of the major issues and challenges faced at a global scale. These include:

to ensure our research reaches as many end

strategies/recommendations and/or

Moredun attracts new funding for Knowledge Exchange

diagnostics are poor. One reason for this is

options for land use and management of our finite resources; sustainable food production;

As part of SEFARI’s knowledge exchange and

improved economics and production benefits

food and water security; combating infectious

impact activities, a number of Moredun staff

has not been sufficiently well made across the

diseases; improving human nutrition; enhancing

have been successful in competitive funding

sheep sector. The project aims to address this

health and wellbeing; mitigating against and

applications, providing an opportunity for the

issue and plans include developing interactive

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

that the link between better disease control,

FOCUS ON

Launch of SEFARI - L to R: Stephen Thomson (SRUC), Graeme Cook (SEFARI), Rosanna Cunningham (Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform), Lorna Dawson (James Hutton Institute) and Philip Skuce (Moredun).

workshops to highlight the costs and benefits associated with employing precision farming technologies (see page 9).

Professor Lee Innes was successful in winning funding to develop a National Science Education Resource for primary and secondary school pupils in Scotland to help support educational topics in environmental and land sciences, health and well-being, climate change, biodiversity, food security and infectious diseases. This project is working together with the other Scottish research institutes and the Scottish Science Education Research Centre (SSERC).

Supporting the next generation Moredun is committed to safeguarding the future of livestock health through supporting young people involved in the industry. By providing guidance and assistance to early career scientists, veterinary students, young farmers and agricultural students we hope to contribute to the development of the innovative, enthusiastic and professional young people who are the future of livestock farming in the UK. We contribute in this area in a number of different ways. Moredun staff are involved in teaching, mentoring and supervising many university students and also lecture at veterinary schools. This area of knowledge exchange also extends to working with school children and teachers about the practical applications of science and technology within the industry.

Through our regional boards we are striving to recruit more young farmers and vets to help us ensure that the challenges and opportunities for the next generation are continuously on our radar; whilst our Moredun Foundation Award Scheme has been developed to help support personal and professional development with the livestock industry.

Young Farmers and the Farm Association of Veterinary Students Moredun continued to strengthen its links with young farmers and vets in recent months by linking up to support educational events.

In February Moredun were delighted to support the Farm Association of Veterinary Students (FAVS) at their national FAVS Congress in Liverpool. FAVS aims to encourage more veterinary students to take the path of becoming a large animal vet, and provide further opportunities to those who already have it as their aim. Moredun scientists thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Congress and we look forward to building on our relationship with this excellent group going forward. Whilst March saw a Moredun representative head back to the North West of England when Lee Innes hosted an interactive workshop on beef suckler herd health planning with the Croft Young Farmers in Cheshire.

Discussing our work with agricultural students.

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2017

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