Staff working in SRUC's Veterinary Disease Surveillance Centres based in Ayr and Inverness have been informed of changes to the service which should ensure clients in both regions are well served.
Mike Wijnberg, managing Director of SAC Consulting, said: "We will be maintaining surveillance facilities in both Ayr and Inverness, and in light of feedback received we have tailored those services to fit best with the requirements of the client groups."
In Ayr SRUC will invest in developing the existing facilities on the Auchincruive Estate in order to co-locate both Veterinary and Consulting staff (along with some research colleagues) in newly refurbished facilities at Nellies Gate. Significant investment in the renovation and upgrading of the Nellies Gate facilities and existing vet centre should ensure they are fully fit for the new staff contingent. The work is expected to take 12 months to complete.
In Inverness SRUC will invest in a new post mortem facility for the region. Mr Wijnberg explained: "It was clear that local stakeholders felt we needed a facility in the Inverness area, so we revised our plans to ensure we could support local requirements."
The new post mortem facility is expected to be ready by the middle of 2017. The Drummondhill site will be placed on the market shortly, but the Veterinary Services team will continue to work from there until the new site is ready.
Mr Wijnberg went on: "While there will be changes on both sites with investment in new facilities, both sites remain fully operational throughout the changes and we do not envisage any interruption of the service our veterinary surveillance clients receive."
Meanwhile SRUC Research and SAC Consulting staff are in the process of moving to An Lochran, a new state-of-the-art facility on the Inverness Campus.
Market round-up
Lawrie & Symington Ltd sold 253 store heifers in Lanark on Tuesday to a top of £1200 per head and 271.9p per kg to average £839.61 and 217.5p (+10p on the fortnight), while 303 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1230 and 266.3p to level at £951.48 and 223.3p (+7.3p). Fifty-five store, B&W bullocks sold to £890 and 193.1p to average £590.67 and 149p (+18.6p).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 10 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of £1288 and 224p to average £1187.74 and 213.8p.
In the rough ring 64 beef cows averaged 128.6p and 81 dairy cows levelled at 92.8p. Three bulls averaged 128.4p.
A smaller show of 7 dairy cattle sold to £950 for a Holstein Friesian heifer and averaged £891.
Wallets Marts sold 217 prime hoggs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £84 per head and 177.5p to average £65.93 and 158.8p (-8.2p on the week), while 55 prime lambs peaked at £92 and 194.8p to level at £81.24 and 193.3p (+9.3p).
The firm also had 178 cast sheep forward that were slightly cheaper on the week with ewes selling to £85.50 for Texels, £78 for Mules and £74 for Blackfaces.
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