In 1920, a visionary group of Scottish farmers came together to work out how to cut alarmingly high rates of livestock losses. Together, they formed ADRA - the Animal Diseases Research Association. These days, it is still owned and run by farmers, but is better known as the Moredun Research Institute for animal health. Many of the vaccines and treatments now routinely used on UK sheep and cattle were developed by Moredun scientists. In its hundredth year, OnFARM's Monty is learning about the history and heritage of this little-known Scottish success story. This is the first of four OnFARM episodes to mark the Moredun's centenary 1920 - 2020.

Guests this week:

Prof Julie Fitzpatrick - Scientific Director of the Moredun Research Institute and Chief Executive of the Moredun Foundation

Mungo Guthrie - Ayrshire sheep farmer and Moredun board member

Professor Lee Innes - Moredun director of communications

Dr Lynsey Melville - early career post-doc researcher at Moredun

Dr David Smith - early career post-doc researcher at Moredun

Mentioned in this episode:

Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns

SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looking for crofters, breeders and farmers who breed native, rare, or heritage breed sheep, to supply skins for their tannery. This will mean they can hand-craft fully traceable sheep skins, and support producers by putting value back in to the sheep farming process. Find out more about joining the SkyeSkyns supplier network:

Skye Skins