GFAVS is the Glasgow Farm Animal Vet Society and is for any vet student who is interested in farm animal work and wants to learn more than is taught in lectures - regardless of farming background.
Our aim is to bring a variety of farm animal based workshops and interesting presentations to the vet school -guest speakers are always happy to answer questions and offer a great chance to make new contacts and explore the unseen parts of farm practice!
In the last few months we have hosted speakers on topics ranging from calf pneumonia management and neonatal lamb care to bovine fertility and potential career paths in mixed practice. We even have a talk coming up on Laparoscopic LDA surgeries, which may become the norm in time!
The learning isn't just reserved for the lecture halls though, in March 2021 we visited the Highland Wagyu Farm in Perthshire, the largest producer of fullblood Wagyu cattle in the UK and in November 2022 we visited Portnellan Organic Beef farm on the shores of Loch Lomond! These trips have been a great way for people of all backgrounds to see different types of beef production systems and ask questions directly to the farmers.
Every February we have a FAVS Congress - a rewarding weekend of socialising with farm animal enthusiasts from other vet schools! It consists of lectures and practicals during the day, with a dinner and dance on the Saturday night.
We are always receptive to new ideas and contacts through student or staff as we are a friendly group so feel free to share your thoughts. All our events will be promoted on our Facebook page and Instagram, along with in the GUVMA newsletter.
As a society, all we want is to spread a little of our enthusiasm for farm animal practice with the newest batch of vets. Whether you have worked around farm animals all your life, or if you don't even know what a cow looks like,we would love to show you what we have to offer!