A West Dorset vet has been named 'Farm Educator of the Year' and recognised for her dedication.

Emily Gascoigne of Synergy Farm Health in Evershot, near Dorchester, received the Ceva Animal Welfare Award, which celebrates a remarkable individual who dedicates their lives to research and education on improving farm animal welfare.

Emily is a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Sheep Health and Production and is known for going the extra mile to share her knowledge with local farmers as well as other vets.

As a practising sheep vet, she is actively involved in research and she also leads some student teaching as well as steering sheep farmer training at Synergy Farm Health.

Emily said: "I'm delighted to be named Farm Educator of the Year. Training is a huge part of my role that I really enjoy, and it's wonderful to gain this award to celebrate that."

Emily is keen to use training to help local farmers improve animal welfare and boost business productivity as well.

She added: "In the farm animal context, investing in people and constantly upskilling people is the real way we have a positive impact on animal welfare.

"In my work as a sheep vet, I'm passionate about communicating how animal welfare, productivity and profitability are intimately linked. Essentially, by making a healthier and happier flock, you'll end up with a healthier sheep business and probably a happier farmer as well."

One topic upon which Emily provides training to support farming clients is the loss of newborn lambs.

"This is a threat to both animal welfare and productivity, so it's in everyone's interests to address," she said. "To help with this I provide training to teach farmers how to perform their own neonatal lamb post-mortems. This helps farmers understand the issues they're facing and take appropriate actions to reduce lamb mortality. Ultimately this will improve welfare and deliver business benefits as well."

Synergy provides ongoing education on how to improve farm animal health, welfare and production. Informative courses and workshops are available for farmers, as well as a range of discussion groups and a dairy apprenticeship programme. Synergy Farm Health also provides training for vets as well.

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