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AWF invites research proposals
Grant process opens for sheep, cattle and horse research

The Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) is calling for research proposals as it opens up its grant process for the Norman Hayward Fund.

The fund provides grants for research on the disease and welfare of cattle, horses and sheep. Over the past six years it has awarded more than £1million to veterinary research projects across the UK, ranging from £42,000 to £159,000 on individual projects.

Tiffany Hemming, AWF chairman, said: "AWF is keen to support research that we can see will make a practical difference to animal welfare in a relatively short time period.

"We also pay particular attention to applicants' communication plans. We want to be clear how the key messages from our research will be disseminated to the target audience – this is critical to achieving practical improvements in animal welfare."

The application process takes part in two stages and is open to both academic and practice-based researchers.

First, applicants must submit a Project Overview Form, which gives a brief outline of the nature and scope of the project. These will then be assessed by trustees, who will decide which applicants may submit a full grant application.

The closing date for applications is September 27. For further information about the grants or to apply, visit the AWF website.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.