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Hartpury announces new head of animal and agriculture
Dr Wanda McCormick.

Dr Wanda McCormick to lead team of programme leaders and lecturers.

Hartpury University has announced the appointment of Dr Wanda McCormick as its new head of animal and agriculture.

Dr McCormick joins the institution after more than a decade working in animal welfare. She will head up a team of programme leaders and lecturers, with all research activity informing not only current industry practice but also the curriculum.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr McCormick said: “Having gained university status only relatively recently, in 2018, Hartpury is at a really exciting point in its development and I can see huge potential for us to become leaders in animal and agriculture.

“I have been lucky enough to supervise several students to successfully complete their PhDs as well as helping early-career researchers in other ways. I hope that my experience in these aspects will mean that we can grow an amazing portfolio of research alongside our excellent teaching."

She added: “It is brilliant for me to be in at the start working with an amazing team, plus who wouldn’t want to work somewhere with such an amazing animal collection – you can never see too many llamas, guinea pigs or cows!” 

Dr McCormick's passion for animal welfare began when she was a small child, caring for a menagerie of insects - including boxes of woodlice and snails!  Since then, she has gained a master’s degree in biological sciences and a doctorate in physiology, as well as occupying senior academic roles at other UK universities. 

Highlighting the importance of ensuring students are ready to move into the world of employment, Dr McCormick said: “Working with industry will allow us to further grow the employability of our graduates through their involvement in research that matters and enhanced work placement opportunities.

"Ultimately, they are studying with us as a way of improving their future lives so the more we can do to help them secure their dream jobs the better."

Image (C) Hartpury University.

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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.