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National Farm Animal Veterinary Society Congress inspires future farm vets

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Veterinary students from across the UK have visited for the National Farm Animal Veterinary Society (FAVS) Congress 2025. 

A group for students from around the UK and Ireland, the aim to encourage more veterinary students to pursue a career in farm animal practice, providing additional opportunities, trips, talks, and information about life as a large animal vet. 

Since 2012, their annual congress has been held at different universities across the UK. This year, the Harper & Keele FAVS committee organised and hosted the event. 

More than 100 students attended the three-day congress, with activities taking place at the Veterinary Education Centre and Future Farm located on ÎÞÂ붯»­’s campus. Several guest speakers delivered a programme of talks with topics including sustainable sheep production, dairy fertility, and what to expect as a newly graduated farm vet.  

Attendees got hands-on experience during a series of workshops and practical streams, including calving simulations and suturing, a nutrition walk and talk, and the opportunity to try calf lung scanning.  

The event culminated in a discussion around bovine TB, with a panel of industry experts including Emily Ashford and David Christensen, whose farms have both been impacted by TB, and three vets with extensive experience in the management of infectious diseases, Sarah Tomlinson, Dick Sibley, and James Russell, offering a range of views on the management of TB.  

President of HK FAVS and third-year HKVS student, Reuben Taylor, said: “One of the highlights of the event was the bovine TB discussion. The panel explored how we can deal with the problems associated with a TB outbreak, the pressure it places on all involved, and the impact on mental health – which is one of the reasons we chose to support the Yellow Wellies charity campaign over the course of the weekend. 

“For me, the main takeaway was that whilst we can’t solve TB in a one-hour discussion, we can stay curious, stay open-minded, and collectively try to find a solution that works for all, from farmer to vet, to the TB Advisory Service and DEFRA.” 

Professor Philip Robinson, Deputy Head of Harper & Keele Veterinary School, said: “It was wonderful to welcome veterinary students with a keen interest in production animal medicine from multiple schools to this event, and a real privilege for us to host for the first time. The HKFAVS Committee invested a lot of time and effort into organising the event, and given the feedback, that hard work has really paid off! There was such a great atmosphere during the congress, and my belief is that this event will prove to be inspirational and even career-defining for those who participated.” 

HKFAVS committee chose to raise funds for the who encourage the farming community to stop and think about how they are looking after their physical and mental wellbeing through the Yellow Wellies and Mind your Head campaigns. Over the course of the weekend, they raised over £1,100 for the charity. 

Reuben’s interest in farm animal veterinary work was sparked when his family unexpectedly came to own several sheep. With no previous farming experience Reuben took charge of a 50-acre farm, growing the herd to 30 cows and 100 sheep. Reuben said: “Before this, I had been thinking about studying medicine, but the farm provided me with a front row seat into the world of farm vets, and I realised that this career would combine my passion for medicine and farming.” 

“This experience inspired me to learn as much as I can about the industry, and I joined FAVS to help inspire others who may not have previously thought about a farm animal veterinary career.”