SAC Research

Animal Health Projects

Novel technologies for surveillance of emerging and re-emerging infections of wildlife

Study to identify the welfare costs and benefits of existing and novel on-farm culling methods of poultry

Objective 1 Systematically identify and verify readily observable responses and reflexes that are reliably associated with different states of consciousness and death in domestic fowl Objective 2 Monitor the behaviour, reflex responses and electroencephalogram of individual birds (representative species and a range of ages) during the application of techniques used to cull poultry on-farm Objective 3 Determine the effect of relevant external factors such as operator and fatigue on the efficacy and welfare consequences of on-farm culling methods Objective 4 Update guidelines on culling small numbers of poultry

The nutritional value for poultry of biofuel co-products

Determine and improve the nutritional value of wheat DDGS from bio-fuel production in the UK and develop recommendations for its use in poultry diets. The material will originate with Ensus, but it is hoped that Vivergo will participate in the provision of material when available.

Quarterly benchmarking of pig health data by individual farm units and slaughterer/processor

Improve health of Scottish pig herd

Parasite Control Climate Change PhD Studentship

PhD Studentship

Delivering knowledge exchange for control of paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease) with Scottish cattle farmers (PARABAN)

Exchange knowledge about PTB with the whole production chain. Optimise testing/control regimens for Scottish beef and dairy farms. Determine the most cost effective approach to PTB control. Deliver a legacy of best practice guidance for control of PTB in cattle.

Combined spatial and network analyses of British pig movement data

The aim of this MSc project is to develop a high-quality epidemiological dataset synthesizing existing government-held pig movement data, and then to demonstrate the added value of this new resource through simple exploratory network analyses. The creation of this dataset will provide an essential building block for future research investigating the impact that network and spatial structure have on the prevalence of disease across the pig industry. The collation of this data is labour intensive and will require substantial data management and data quality work. After processing, the data will be used to investigate whether there is co-dependency between properties of the network of pig holdings and three major pigs disease conditions (Enzootic Pneumonia-like; Pleurisy and Papular dermatitis) assessed as part of the British Pig Health Scheme (BPHS). Network analysis has yielded important findings in previous epidemiological studies that aid the efficient targeting of disease intervention strategies

To develop a cost effective and practical method to reduce E.coli O157 infection in cattle prior to slaughter

The overall project aim is to develop intervention strategies (based on an antibacterial treatment of the rectal mucosa to eliminate E. coli O157) to break the cycle of transmission of E. coli O157 in cattle systems. Specifically to: 1.Demonstrate through a 3 year field trial that an intervention strategy, based upon administration of a chlorhexidine rectal lavage, can be used to significantly reduce shedding levels of E. coli O157 and the prevalence rate in finishing cattle over the winter housing period under industry conditions. 2. Quantify rates of E. coli O157 transmission to inform and develop intervention strategies applicable to the wider industry. This objective relates to two experimental hypotheses: i. that E. coli O157 transmission within a group of cattle does not occur without direct contact between high shedding and naïve individuals. that E. coli O157 transmission within a group of cattle does not occur when experimentally colonised individuals are treated with a chlorhexidine rectal lavage to reduce or eliminate faecal shedding prior to introduction to a group of naïve individuals

Centre of Excellence Management

Management of Centre of Excellence (Secretariat)

The environmental consequences of using home-grown legumes as a protein source in pig diets

The overall aim of this proposal is to investigate the potential of using home grown legumes, such as peas and beans, in the diets of growing/finishing pigs in order to reduce the environmental burdens associated with their production. Emphasis will be placed on the consequences of legume inclusion on environmental burden (nutrient excretion and its influence on diffuse pollution from pig operations) but also on pig performance. Furthering knowledge and understanding of the nutritional value of homegrown vegetable proteins is of considerable importance and would also lead to further interest in the cultivation of new cultivars by plant breeders.