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VN trip to South Africa
Plumpton College nurses study abroad

A veterinary nursing group from Plumpton College, which is based in East Sussex, travelled to South Africa in March to study and assist with animal care.

The group consisted of two lecturers from the college, which offers a wide variety of land-based courses, three qualified veterinary nurses and 11 veterinary nursing students.

During the two-week trip the group was based just outside Grahamstown, which is approximately an hour and a half away from Port Elizabeth.

As well as studying aspects of veterinary nursing, the group assisted the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

As well as helping with the care of animals residing at the centre, nurses got involved with the care of local dogs by assisting with worming, vaccinations and dipping.

According to the college, the trip was a great success for its students and is an initiative which will be repeated in the future.

For more information, visit the Plumpton College 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.