Course Overview

Livestock and Climate Change - A Veterinary Perspective is designed to equip farm veterinary professionals with knowledge on the key issues of our time – climate change and animal health and welfare, and leverage our unique role as trusted advisors to the food and farming businesses around the world. Participants will explore animal welfare, nutrition and husbandry in the context of climate change. They will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make changes in their own work, and the tools to support farming clients to meet their goals.

  • Sustainability course for livestock veterinarians and paraprofessionals

  • Equivalent to 15 Hours of CPD

  • Delivered in person in locations across the globe

  • LANTRA-accredited certification

  • NZVA accredited CPD

  • E-Learning course also available

Curriculum

During this course you will study:

Learning Objectives

  • Summarise the key societal and planetary challenges we face
  • Explain what sustainability means using a number of different definitions and perspectives
  • Name and describe some of the frameworks used by businesses and institutions to define sustainability goals, metrics and outcomes
  • Understand the importance of multiple outcomes, and the risks of pursuing single sustainability goals
  • Describe why veterinary professionals occupy a unique role for influencing the sustainability agenda and supporting progress
  • Provide practical examples of how veterinary professionals can drive change in our own operations

Learning Objectives

  • Summarise the key environmental impacts that are associated with animal agriculture
  • Understand the different metrics currently used to measure carbon emissions and how the use of these metrics may present challenges
  • Develop a broad overview of how and why we may wish to calculate these carbon metrics.
  • Understand how farming systems may be used to pursue sustainability goals and how they may impact animal health and welfare. 
  • Recognise the challenges and potential trade-offs of these systems.
  • Recognise the vital role that we as veterinary professionals have to play in supporting our clients and driving policy change towards a food system that is better for people, animals and planet
  • Describe the various methods to collect in vivo data on livestock emissions

Learning Objectives

  • Understand how and why livestock are housed and to be able to give examples of different livestock housing systems.
  • Have a broad understanding of nutrition in housed systems and to have a working knowledge of how some of these systems may affect the environment at a production level.
  • Be able to discuss the land sparing vs land sharing debate and give examples of both.
  • Understand, in brief, how feeding for improved growth rates may have trade-offs in terms of animal health and welfare.
  • Describe some of the challenges faced through emissions related to animal waste product disposal in housed systems and some of the potential solutions. 
  • Understand some of the solutions to emissions from the livestock sector with a particular emphasis on feeding strategies. 
  • Revisit the concept of efficiency vs efficacy in the way we feed our livestock and how this may relate to the environmental impact of housed animals.
  • Gain the knowledge and confidence to act as advisors in the management of housed livestock in a way that minimises negative environmental outcomes as well as supporting the wellbeing of the animals under our care.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand emission production in healthy animals
  • Understand the mechanism behind how various disease states contribute to emissions
  • Describe how climate change promotes drug resistance
  • Understand the pros and cons of selective breeding

Learning Objectives

  • Understand how grazed systems may be used to pursue sustainability goals and how they may impact animal health and welfare. 
  • Recognise the challenges and potential trade-offs of these systems.
  • Develop a practical understanding of some grazing systems that may be described as sustainable or regenerative, and to finish the course equipped with the knowledge required to support farmers through their transition towards more sustainable grazing practices.
  • Recognise the vital role that we as veterinary professionals have to play in supporting our clients and driving policy change towards a food system that is better for people, animals and planet

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the basic principles of why people behave as they do. 
  • Be able to explain some of the concepts behind behavioural change models and understand how they might be applied in different contexts. 
  • Understand how veterinary professionals may act as “change makers”. 
  • Be able to demonstrate how the principles of behavioural change may be applied in an on-farm situation. 
  • Summarise how “sustainable” and “regenerative” may be defined in the context of a veterinary business.
  • Recognise the opportunities for integration of regenerative principles within a veterinary business model.
Tanja N
Farm Vet, DK

The whole emission category was an eye opener!

The whole emission category was an eye opener, and the complexity of emissions regarding nutrition and husbandry. The course also gave me some insight into the future demands for food supply that I didn’t at all know before.

I no longer avoid the subject of sustainability!

Jack R
Farm Vet, NZ

I feel better equipped to accurately discuss livestock emissions with farmers

I feel better equipped to accurately discuss livestock emissions with farmers, and how this contributes to climate change. I can see how pasture management, nutrition and slurry management play day-to-day roles in sustainability, and how little changes can make a huge difference over time.

I have resources now at hand to be able to send through to farmers to fuel discussion and suggestions for how we can turn papers into practical implementations and interventions on farm.

Andrew D
Farm Vet, UK

A valuable tool in the armoury to be able to engage with day-to-day questions that are now arising with our farmer clients.

It provides a clear understanding and direction of the role we can play in the environmental sustainability and climate change agenda by effectively doing what we do best- advising and improving livestock management to enhance efficiency and reduce disease impacts.

It helps to clarify and define our role in terms of producing positive impacts on animal health and welfare as well as on the environment.

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Accreditation

We are proud to be supported by LANTRA who have accredited the course and will provide certification to all course completers. The course is also accredited by the New Zealand Veterinary Association. 



OPEN NOW

Registration Now Open

We are accepting registration for our UK In Person Event on 18th and 19th June 2025 at North Lakes Hotel, Penrith, Cumbria.

  • Limited Spaces
  • Accommodation and Meals Included
  • Exciting Guest Speaker
  • 15 Hours of CPD

Book Your Place Free Preview

What Participants Can Expect From The Course

Facilitated Discussion

Students will have the opportunity to interact with a community of like minded veterinary professionals

Accommodation

Accommodation and meals provided for the duration of the course, so you can focus on your training experience

LANTRA Certificate

Upon completion of the course successful students will receive a LANTRA accredited certificate

United Kingdom - 18th and 19th June 2025

North Lakes Hotel, Ullswater Road, Penrith, CA11 8QT

2 days of classroom training to be held at North Lakes Hotel, Ullswater Road, Penrith, CA11 8QT, 9am - 5pm. Meals and overnight accomodation will be provided. Delegate price £995+VAT, registration for this course will be open until 1st June 2025.
Register Now

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The course is aimed at veterinarians and those working in vet-led businesses, and whilst there are no specific requirements, all students are expected to have undertaken an undergraduate degree, technical qualification as a paraprofessional, or a relevant diploma. If you are unsure please contact us before you enrol on the course.

The course will be a 2-day in person event, with classroom based teaching alongside with group discussions and tasks. Accommodation and all meals will be provided. 

The price of our in-person training courses varies depending on location. Prices will be announced on a course by course basis.

The course will take 2 days to complete, via classroom based sessions.

You will be supported during your time on the course by our course facilitator and guest speakers. 

During the course of your training there will be tasks and quick quizzes to solidify learning. A pass rate of 80% across the course will be deemed to be a successful pass mark.

Meet our Course Facilitators

Emma Stuart

BVM&S MSc MRCVS

Emma graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2014 and spent some time working in New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland before settling in Cumbria in 2016. She now works as a farm animal veterinary surgeon at Paragon Vets in Cumbria, UK, but previously spent time working as a consultant for Promar International gaining an understanding of the factors that drive productivity and profitability on-farm. Emma has completed a Masters degree in Ruminant Nutrition, with a particular interest in feeding strategies to mitigate emissions and environmental pollution. She also works for the Advanced Breeding sector at Paragon Vets, using reproductive technologies such as in vitro production (IVP) to accelerate genetic progress in both dairy and beef herds. She is currently involved in an Innovate-Funded project looking at how IVP can be used to help breed more methane-efficient cattle.
Emma Stuart

Megan Williamson

Megan graduated from University of Liverpool with a degree in Bioveterinary Sciences in 2007 and since then has gained extensive project management experience within the Retail Display Installation industry. She joined the VetSalus and Vet Sustain team in 2022 and is responsible for delivering sustainability resources to the veterinary profession. Now based in Cumbria, UK, Megan enjoys spending time outdoors with her young children, teaching them about the natural world around us.
Megan Williamson

David Black

BVM&S DBR DVetMed FRCVS

David graduated from Edinburgh in 1986 and has worked as a vet with all species, but mostly with farm animals. He is Managing Director of Paragon, a mixed independent veterinary practice in Cumbria. He has a particular interest in cattle breeding and fertility, including advanced breeding technologies, and as well as being a holder of a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction (DBR) he also recently achieved a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVetMed) qualification in this speciality. He is recognised as an Emeritus Specialist in Cattle Health and Production by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He has been responsible for the establishment of a company called Activf-ET which delivers cattle breeding services, and especially IVF and novel associated technologies. Paragon was one of the founders of XLVets. David spent 11 years as Managing Director of that organisation before stepping down from the Board in the Summer of 2017. XLVets is a nationally distributed group of independent veterinary practices working together to achieve their aim of "Excellence in Practice”. He is Chair of the Board of the Veterinary Defence Society and Treasurer of the World Association for Buiatrics. David is co-founder of VetSalus, and is Managing Director, and most recently became a founder Director of Vet Sustain a Community Interest Company seeking to inspire and enable vet professionals and vet-led businesses to lead on all aspects of sustainability.
David Black

Meet our Course Authors

Laura Higham

BVM&S MSc MRCVS

Laura Higham is a Director of Vet Sustain and veterinary consultant in sustainable livestock production at the Food Animal Initiative (FAI), working alongside food businesses to drive sustainability in commercial supply chains, with a focus on animal welfare and responsible antibiotic use. Having previously worked in the charity sector implementing projects to support animal-based livelihoods in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, she has a deep interest in the intersect between international development and animal health and welfare, and the wider roles of vets in society. Laura is a PhD researcher in antimicrobial use and animal welfare in agriculture at The Global Academy for Agriculture and Food Security at Edinburgh University, and holds an MSc in international animal health.
Laura Higham

Sarah Krumrie

BSc BVMS MRCVS MVM

Sarah Krumrie is a veterinary public health specialist currently working as a lecturer at the University of Glasgow. She obtained a degree in microbiology and chemistry in the United States before working as a veterinary receptionist/technician, where her desire to go into clinical practice faded. She decided to continue to veterinary school at the University of Glasgow, where she discovered a passion for public health. This led to a dual masters/residency program at Glasgow, where her involvement with students and mental health in the veterinary profession grew. Sarah was a finalist in the British Veterinary Association’s Young Vet of the Year 2021 competition for her efforts to improve mental health starting at the university level. She currently lectures to veterinary students on sustainability, meat science and residues, while teaching final year students about the public health aspects of slaughterhouses and infectious disease.
Sarah Krumrie

Hannah Kenway

BSc (hons) BVSc MRCVS

Hannah Kenway is a production animal veterinary surgeon working in the South of England. After a degree in zoology, Hannah worked in marine conservation in Bermuda before graduating from Bristol Veterinary School in 1993. Since then she has worked for a number of farm animal practices in the UK and abroad and is currently the clinical farm lead for The Carisbrooke Vets on the Isle of Wight. She completed the two year Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) sheep expertise program in 2018 and currently divides her time between clinical practice, consultancy and writing for the veterinary press. With a special interest in proactive health planning and the relationship between farming practices and the environment, Hannah completed the Vet Sustain and VetSalus online sustainability course ‘A Veterinary Approach to Sustainable Food and Farming’ in 2023.
Hannah Kenway

About VetSalus

Wholesome Food From Healthy Animals

VetSalus is a business initiative developed by a committed group of international veterinarians with the primary goal of establishing a global network of veterinary specialists. The core business of VetSalus is to facilitate the placement of veterinary consultants who will provide expertise in various aspects of ‘One Health’, especially animal production and sustainable farming. VetSalus is particularly interested in providing consultancy in Animal Welfare, Antimicrobial Usage and Sustainable Animal Production Systems.
Visit the VetSalus Website