For over 50 years, Thrums Veterinary Group in Kirriemuir has been a cornerstone of the Angus and East Perthshire communities. They’re a well-established, mixed veterinary practice with over 70 skilled team members, providing quality care for both beloved pets and essential farm animals. What’s really impressive is their dedication to improving productivity and profitability for local farmers, especially through advanced breeding technologies.

Thrums had a big ambition to become the market leaders in cattle breeding services in the area. This would add a whole new dimension to the services they offer and help their business grow even further. There’s a lot of pressure on the cattle industry these days to reduce its carbon footprint, and there’s also a growing demand for specific genetic traits that help achieve this. By using cutting-edge technology, cattle farmers can breed their best genetics faster and more efficiently. Currently, there’s only one other site in Scotland offering this service.

To make this ambition a reality, Thrums applied for Angus Council’s SME Start & Grow Grant. This crucial funding allowed them to purchase a Draminski Scanner and OPU scanner probe – a huge leap forward in expanding their advanced cattle breeding services. They collaborated with a leading veterinary clinic to make sure their team had all the necessary skills and knowledge to offer this advanced reproductive service with confidence.

Andrew Littlejohn, Advanced Breeding Lead Vet at Thrums Veterinary Group said: “We are extremely grateful for the financial support provided through the Angus Business Grant. The scanner will play a central role in the continued growth and success of this service in the months and years ahead.”

This innovative service is now being rolled out to Thrums’ existing cattle breeding clients and will also be available to farmers beyond their immediate client base. Being the most northerly provider of this specialised service puts Thrums in a unique position to support livestock breeders right across the region. They’re incredibly excited to offer this cutting-edge clinical service, which will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to genetic advancement in cattle breeding throughout the North East of Scotland.

The Angus Council SME Start & Grow Business Grants were funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Grants were delivered by Angus Council’s Invest in Angus team, supported by Business Gateway.