Calving Simulator first for festival! 

For the first time at the Smallholder Festival, cattle keepers will be able to hone their calving skills with experts from SRUC Veterinary Services, University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine and a lifelike Calving Simulator. The Festival is the only place in Scotland that this experience is currently available to smallholders

Join Caroline Robinson, an SRUC Vet, and Jayne Orr from University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine to practice evaluating your cow, and then learn how to either gently and effectively assist a calving, or how to feel for the signs that you should be making a prompt call to the vet. Featuring an almost UnHerd-of public appearance by Cow No? and Deja Moo, two life sized, partial fibreglass cow models with an anatomically correct pelvis, inflatable air bags to mimic abdominal organs, a vinyl uterus and a life sized fully articulated model calf!

Festival visitors must pre-book a 45 minute session by coming along to the sign-up session in the SRUC Theatre in the Main Hall from 9.30am – 10am, or after this time if any places are left, they can enquire or book throughout the morning at the SRUC Trade Stand in the Trade hall by speaking to Caroline and colleagues. Numbers per session are unfortunately limited to 6 per session, on a first-come, first-served basis. Sessions will run at 10am, 11am and 1.30pm.

Jayne Orr graduated from Glasgow University Veterinary School in 2005. She spent 8 years working in private practice as a farm animal vet in the UK and New Zealand before returning to the University of Glasgow as a farm animal lecturer. She recently completed a Master’s degree which investigated the use of simulation to teach veterinary students how to calve cows.

Caroline Robinson has worked for SRUC Veterinary Services as a Veterinary Investigation Officer since 2011, following 5 years in mixed practice. She has always had a keen interest in facilitating and providing animal health and welfare information to smallholders, and has enthusiastically supported the Festival since its inception.