Prof Alastair Macrae
Personal Chair of Farm Animal Health and Production
Contact details
- Tel: 0131 651 7474
- Fax: 0131 651 7473
- Email: A.I.Macrae@ed.ac.uk
- Web: University of Edinburgh Research Explorer Profile
- Web: Google Scholar Profile
Address
- Street
-
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute
Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian - City
- Post code
- EH25 9RG
Availability
Willingness to take Ph.D. students: Yes
Background
I am a Senior Lecturer in Farm Animal Health and Production, and Head of the Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service (DHHPS) at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh. I am also Director of Farm Animal Veterinary Services, with overall daily management responsibility for the Farm Animal Practice as well as the DHHPS. I am Head of the Farm Animal section at the RDSVS
The DHHPS was started at the University in 1977 in conjunction with Dalgety Animal Feeds, and continues to provide independant consultancy advice to dairy, beef and sheep farms on all aspects of health and productivity with the aim of preventing disease and maximising farm profitability. The DHHPS undertakes metabolic profile blood testing on approximately 9,000 dairy cows each year, and also provides a herd health recording service monitoring trends in culling and disease in UK dairy herds.
I am also involved in teaching undergraduate veterinary students in all years of the BVM&S course at Edinburgh, as well as agriculture students at SRUC. My main research interests include cattle and sheep nutrition and its effects on productivity and disease, as well as the welfare of the dairy cow and her calf around calving. I hold further veterinary postgraduate qualifications including the RCVS Certificate in Sheep Health and Production, and RCVS Diploma in Cattle Health and Production.
Area of Expertise
Research expertise - Dairy and Beef Cattle, Sheet, Nutrition, Disease
Clinical Expertise and Specialisation
I hold the RCVS Diploma in Cattle Health and Production, and RCVS Certificate in Sheep Health and Production. My main clinical areas of focus include ruminant nutrition, disease prevention and control, and the economic costs of disease on dairy, beef and sheep farms.
Qualifications
Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
April 2016 Diplomate of the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management (Non-practising)
July 2015 Diplomate of the European College of Bovine Health Management
July 2012 Diploma in Cattle Health and Production, RCVS
Sept 2006 Certificate in Cattle Health and Production, RCVS
July 2002 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in molecular virology from the University of Edinburgh.
Sept 1998 Certificate in Sheep Health and Production, RCVS
July 1995 Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (with distinction) from the University of Edinburgh
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Edinburgh Pathogenesis of gammaherpesvirus infection Bachelors in Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, University of Edinburgh
Professional Qualifications
Diploma in Cattle Health and Production, DCHP Certificate in Cattle Health and Production, CertCHP Certificate in Sheep Health and Production, CertSHP2016Diplomate of the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management, DipECSRHM (Non-practising)2015Diplomate of the European College of Bovine Health Management, DipECBHM
Responsibilities & affiliations
Farm Animal Practice / DHHPS, UG teaching staff, PG teaching admin, Student support
Production Animal
Farm Animal Practice/DHHPS, Farm Animal Hospital
School
UG Teaching Staff, Admissions, Pre-Clinical Teaching, Farm Animal Teaching
Other Administrative Roles
• Head of Farm Animal Section
• Director of Farm Animal Veterinary Services
• Course Organiser for ICC Farm Animal Course in 4th year BVM&S
• Personal Tutor for BVM&S undergraduate students
One day teaching on clinical dairy cow nutrition and metabolic profiles to Royal Veterinary College elective students in Final Year (2008 - 2015).
• Exam Board Chair for PGT Course MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare
• External Examiner for BVMSI and II Animal Husbandry Course at Glasgow University Veterinary School (2009 - 2014)
• External Examiner for Final Year at University of Nottingham (2015 - present)
• Teach on SRUC Year 3 Agriculture Course on "Advanced Livestock Management Issues"
Postgraduate teaching
I have taught on a large number of veterinary Continuing Professional Development courses, including:
• Modular Course in preparation for the Certificate in Sheep Health and Production. 2003/04, 2005/06, 2006/07. 3 or 5 modules, each consisting of 2 days. University of Edinburgh.
• MRCVS examination – preparation course. April 2004, 2005, 2006. University of Edinburgh
• Veterinary Role in Nutrition and Fertility Management in Dairy Cows. 2004, 2005, 2006. University of Edinburgh.
• Improve CPD Course. 2007, 2009. Dairy Cow Nutrition.
• BCVA Advanced Practitioner Beef & Bull Course 2014, Youngstock Course 2014
• Harper Adams University PGT Course on Ruminant Nutrition (2015 - 2017)
Principal supervision of Resident in Farm Animal Health and Production (Cattle), and co-supervision of Resident in Farm Animal Health and Production (Sheep)
Involved in numerous talks/lectures for farmers and nutritional advisors on topics including dairy cow and sheep nutrition, mastitis control, herd health, lameness control and sheep management. Recipient of grant through Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service of £10,000 from Barham Benevolent Foundation
I am involved in the following committees at the RDSVS, University of Edinburgh:
- Admissions Committee
- Clinical Skills Committee
- Farm Teaching Group
- Clinical Training Scholarship Committee
I am currently the Honorary Treasurer of the RDVC RFC and a Trustee of the James Grant Speed Trust.
Postgraduate teaching
GEP
The Animal Body; Animal Health, Welfare & Food Safety; Professional & Clinical Skills GEP
Year 1
Animal Health, Welfare & Food Safety 1
Year 2
Animal Health, Welfare & Food Safety 2; Professional & Clinical Skills 2
Year 4
Farm Animal; Veterinary Public Health
Year 5
Final Year Rotations; Student Selected Component 2
Research summary
Monitoring of farm animal health including the links between nutrition, health and productivity in cattle and sheep.