The perfect experience for Vet school applicants

Launder Farm Pre Vet experience is a 2 day, intensive practical course covering three of large animal species included in the vet school curriculum. The course design, utilising specialist tutors and small group teaching groups, allows students with little or no experience with large animals to build their confidence. By the end of the two day experience students will be confident and competent, both speaking about and performing large animal handling and husbandry practices. More information on the husbandry and handling practices included in the course can be found below.

 
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Dairy Cattle
The dairy farm experience includes:
- A tour of a 350 cow dairy farm including housing and handling facilities.
- Seminar on milk production, calf management, farmer goals and the role of vets on a dairy farm
- Discussion on hot topics (great vet school interview prep!) : Bovine TB, antimicrobial resistance, nutrition, cattle passports, moving cattle & movement restrictions.
- 1 hour milking cows
- 1 hour youngstock handling and feeding.

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Sheep
The sheep experience includes:
- Seminar on the sheep production in the UK.
- Moving sheep using different types of sheep dogs (Huntaways and Collies).
- Sheep handing- racing and sorting.
- Practical session with adult sheep: Tipping sheep and clinical exam- ageing, body condition scoring, hoof assessment, fertility assessment on tups & ewes.
- Practical sessions on lambing essentials: lambing simulator to practice correcting malpresentation, banding tails, castrating, and ear tagging.

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Pigs

The pigs experience includes:
- Tour of pig production sheds.
- Discussion on pig husbandry and disease.  
- Pig handling
- Seminar on the reproductive cycle.

Beef Cattle

The beef cattle experience includes:
- Seminar on UK beef production systems.
- Tour of a working beef farm including housing and handling facilities.
- Cattle handling practical- includes a demonstration of how to move cattle and how to use common handling systems such as a race and crush,
- Tutorial on common infectious diseases including moving tuberculosis, bovine viral diarrhoea virus and johnes disease.

Course information

  • Attendees must be aged 16+.

  • Course includes: all teaching materials, protective clothing (if required), and lunch.

  • Not included: Accommodation. Details of local accommodation can be provided upon request.

  • Dates for 2024

    3rd & 4th of August 2024