MerlinVet & Numnuts at The Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services Scheme Conference
February 12, 2025
MerlinVet’s Managing Director, David Taylor, and MerlinVet-cel’s Group Business Development Manager, Jane Hutcheon, recently attended the annual Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services Scheme Conference in Inverness.
The scheme’s aim is to ‘ensure the provision of an adequate veterinary service to prevent & eradicate animal diseases for all animals kept for agricultural purposes and belonging to crofters and others of like economic status.’ The Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services
Scheme supports large animal veterinary practices in remote areas of the Scottish Highlands and Islands to provide practical veterinary cover to crofters and their animals, which is vital in the role of preventing & identifying animal disease.
Clarification on the Law in Scotland
Andrew Voas, Scottish Government Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare spoke on the updated legislation of lamb tail docking and castration. As distributors of Numnuts, the MerlinVet team were able to demonstrate to vets the advantages and ease of use of the device, thus being able to support their farmers when the time comes later in Spring. Andrew Voas reaffirmed that it is legal in Scotland to use rings for lamb marking up to 12 weeks of age provided that a local anaesthetic is used. Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) officers in attendance stated that now that there is a legal and approved means of applying local anaesthetic at the time of ringing, then farms who are ringing at over 7 days and not using local anaesthetic will be penalised.
This clarification brings significant relief to Scottish farmers and veterinarians seeking reassurance on the legality of using Numnuts. This innovative method minimises the pain and distress typically associated with traditional rubber ringing procedures. Scottish legislation allows this practice up to 3 months, ensuring adherence to animal welfare standards and providing a compassionate alternative to older methods.
Current legislation is more restrictive in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with rubber rings for castration or tail docking being prohibited on lambs older than 7 days. We are hopeful that the situation will change - please consider petitioning your local MP or NFU Representative to align the legislation across the UK.
Numnuts®
Numnuts® is a 2-in-1 device that administers an Elastrator® ring along with a pre-calibrated dose of local anaesthetic. This device makes giving fast-acting targeted pain relief for castration and tail docking of lambs easy, fast, and safe. The Numnuts® Device allows farmers and vets to provide best practice without compromising on safety and efficiency. No other device exists that allows farmers and vets to provide targeted pain relief to lambs during tail docking and castration.
View more information on Numnuts here
Order Numnuts here
Other sessions also included the eradication of sheep scab, and Glasgow Vet School gave a demonstration of their calving simulator used for vet students and farmers. Hector Low from Stornoway Vets, pictured below with Jane, won the prize raffle competition on the stand, taking home a bottle of MerlinVet-branded Caorunn Gin.
We’re particularly excited for BCVA Congress 2025 as it is taking place in our home city of Edinburgh this October! You’ll find us at Stand 36 where we’ll be showcasing our fertility equipment and running a special competition to win a bottle of MerlinVet Gin – don’t miss your chance to take part. We’ll also have some whisky to sample, so why not pop by Stand 36 for a dram and a chat? Make sure you don’t miss the Bull Semen Testing Workshop, “How to Avoid the Ball’s Up’s”, on Thursday 9th October at 14:00, which is being run by Robert Anderson with Iain McCormick and Colin Penny. At BCVA, you’ll be able to find out more about how we can support your cattle fertility work, but for a taster of some of the products we’ll be showcasing, take a look below. Find out more about BCVA Congress 2025 and book your place here . BoviLab Portable Blood Analyser BoviLab is a portable blood analyser from FarmLabo. This tabletop device brings you lab-quality results from anywhere, making blood analysis on-site quick and easy. BoviLab allows vets to support dairy farmers to improve transition management and ultimately improve overall cow health. BoviLab is designed for simultaneous testing of 6 parameters, including NEFA and BHBA, in just 7 minutes, providing highly accurate analysis on whole blood, heparin blood, or serum blood, with simple operation and automatic calibration. Product Highlights: On-farm convenience​ – perform tests without the need for a laboratory Get comprehensive blood analysis in just 7 minutes Measure six key inspection items simultaneously (including NEFA & BHBA) Designed for easy operation by anyone – simple operation, automatic calibration, low maintenance & durable Early disease detection​ – identify health issues in cattle before they escalate Protective Case and lightweight (2kg) for easy transportation Online data transmission Centrifugation is not required View BoviLab in action here Find out more and purchase here Ram E-JAC The MerlinVet E-JAC is a battery-operated self-contained electro-ejaculator designed for collecting semen from small ruminants. The E-JAC Ram Probe features: rechargeable battery with USB charger ergonomic design, suitable for all hand sizes high-low setting allowing versatility when collecting semen from different breeds, ages, and species lightweight with rubberised handle precision control on/off button & power on light protective carrier case and one year warranty specialist electrode technology the unit will operate for around 500 rams on a single charge The Ram E-JAC was developed with Lane Manufacturing, who have been setting the standard in the manufacture of large animal reproductive equipment and supplies since 1972. Find out more and purchase here Pulsator V The Pulsator V is the most advanced electronic bull ejaculator available, allowing users to collect bull semen in a safe and controlled environment. Manufactured by Lane Manufacturing & distributed by MerlinVet, features include: Improved battery and charging Smoother signal to the bull State of the art electronics Multiple, pre-programmed programs designed for specific breeds Stimuli counter The newest in bull probe technology, the two-electrode probe delivers a smoother signal to the bull and is a more durable construction than the older three-electrode probe. All two-electrode probes are weighted, gentle and efficient, while the shielding of the electrodes reduces back arching, hind limb extension & vocalisation. The nose now has additional weight, helping the probe to sit securely in the ‘sweet spot’ area. It’s also easier to clean, enhancing biosecurity and has improved water resistance. Find out more and purchase here
MerlinVet will be exhibiting at Vet Dynamics Conference 2025 at the Leonardo Hotel, Hinchley Island on 18th – 20th September 2025. This year we will be showcasing a couple of brand new services from MerlinVet, designed to enhance your practice’s revenue options. In addition to our core services of being a wholesaler, export business, and veterinary buying group, we are now offering some additional services which can help maximise your practice’s revenue. These include: Online MerlinVet Pet Shops – NEW! Expand your practice’s revenue whilst we do all the work Health Plans & Treatment Plans – Bespoke and limitless health plans and treatment plans Home Delivery: MerlinVet Direct – Home delivery of prescription products with MerlinVet Direct You can view more about these services on the MerlinVet Group website here or via our brochure .
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