PROGRAMME - British Society of Animal Science

Healthy Food from Healthy Animals 

The UK’s Premier 

Animal Science Conference 

Organised by the 

British Society of Animal Science, 

BBSRC Animal Science Forum, 

World Poultry Science Association (UK Branch), 

and the Association for Veterinary Teaching and Research Work 

PROGRAMME 

University of Nottingham, UK 

24-25 April 2012 

Including BSAS/AVTRW summaries that do not appear in the proceedings 

WPSA programme at the back 

Animal Science Forum

ANNUAL CONFERENCE - 24 - 25 April 2012 HEALTHY FOOD FROM HEALTHY ANIMALS 

Room B52(450) LT3 (300) (LT2 (200) A25(120) A24 (60) A26(60) 

Monday 23 April 2012 

Student Programme 

14:00 - 17:30 


Tuesday 24 April 2012 


09:00 - 10:00 


SESSION 1 

10:30 - 12:30 

Linking Animal Systems and 

Systems Biology (10:30-12:00) 

The Lynne Dawson Session, WPSA Original Communications 

Meat Quality (10:30- (10:30-11:30) Advances in Humane 

12:15) 

Killing (11:30-12:45) 

Pig Health and Disease (10:30-12:10) Welcome Vet Research 

Papers (10:30-12:00) 

Ch: Prof Steve Bishop Ch: Dr Peter Kennedy Ch: Dr Mick Bailey Ch:Prof Peter Clegg 

12:30 -13:30 Lunch 

SESSION 2 

AVTRW Lecture (13:30-14:00) Can 

WPSA Short orals to posters (13:45- Beef/Pigs/Feeds/ others 13:30-13:58 

13:30 - 14:00 

we sustain welfare standards in a 

15:00) 

HIGHLIGHTS 

food hungry world - Professor 

Natalie Waran Ch: Tim King 

Ch: Dr Mike Coffey 

SESSION 3 

14:00-15:30 

15:30- 16:00 Tea/Coffee 

SESSION 4 

16:00-17:00 

Animal Behaviour and Welfare 

(14:00-15:20) 

Ch:Prof Natalie Waran 

Climate Change and Environment 

(16:00-17:55) 

Pigs 1 (14:00-15:30) 

Ch: Dr Paul Toplis 

Cattle: Dairy/Beef (16:00- 

17:50) 

WPSA Tea and poster viewing (15:00- 

16:00) 

WPSA Original communications 

(16:00-17:00) 

Ruminants/Sheep/Goats 

14:00-14:33 HIGHLIGHTS 

Ch: Dr Sam Hoste 

Pigs 2 (16:00-17.25) Diagnostics, 16:00-16:45 

Ch: Prof Nigel Scollan Ch: Dr Sinclair Mayne Ch: Prof Colin Whittemore Ch: Dr Matt Denwood 

17:00 - 17:15 short break 

17:15 - 18:15 WPSA Gordon Memorial Lecture 

(17:15-18:15) 

18:30 - 19:30 RCVS Debate AGM BSAS 18:30 -19:30 

20:00 Conference Dinner 

Wednesday 25 April 2012 AA Breakfast 

08:15 - 09:00 AGM AVTRW 

SESSION 5 

Hammond Lecture BSAS (09:00- 

09:00 - 10:00 

10:00) 

Role of animal-derived foods in an 

obseogenic society - Mike Gibney 

Ch: Ian Givens 

10:00 - 10:30 Tea/Coffee 

SESSION 6 

Presidents session healthy food INDUSTRY DAY 

WPSA Original Communications Equine Breeding, Breeds and Sports Livestock Genetics/Genomics One Health, 

10:30 - 12:30 

from health animals (10:30-12:30) Using Research to Solve (10:45-12:00) 

Horse Utilisation (10:30-12:25) 

(10:30-12:25) 

Epidemology 

Ch: Prof Ian Givens 

Industry problems 

Ch:Dr Mina Davies Morel 

Ch: Dr Eileen Wall 

(10:30-12:15) 

10:30-11:30 

WPSA AGM 12:00-12:30 

Ch: Dr Michael Marsden 

Advanced Training 

Partnerships - a vision 

(11:30-12:30) 

Ch:Dr Sam Hoste 

Ch: Dr Alison Mather 

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch Networking lunch - to identify potential employees and collaborators - Exchange Building 

Dairy and Feed 12:30-13:06 

HIGHLIGHTS 

Ch: Dr Ryan Law 

SESSION 7 

Complementary applied, strategic How the consumer is Poultry Nutrition - Production (13:30- Equine Movement and Behaviour (13:30- Forage/Feed stuffs nutritive Companion Animals 

13:30 - 15:00 

and basic research to improve impacting on running 14:40) 

15:00) 

value (13:30-14:40) 

(13:30-14:55) 

neonatal survival (13:30-15:10) businesses (13:30-15:10) Ch:Dr Abdul Chaudhry 

Ch: Dr Debbie Nash 

Ch: Dr Alistair Carson 

Ch: Dr Malcolm Cobb 

Ch:Dr Cheryl Ashworth 

joint session WPSA/BSAS 

Ch:Dr Peter Williams 

15:00-15:30 Tea/Coffee 

SESSION 8 

Dairy (15:30-17:00) Methods/Feeds/Fish (15:30- 

Equine Nutrition (15:30-16:40) 

15:30 - 17:00 

16:11) HIGHLIGHTS 

Ch: Jennifer Flockhart Ch: Dr Peter Rowlinson 

Ch: Dr David Thomas 

AVTRW Sessions (open to 

BSAS/ASF) 

WPSA Sessions BSAS/ASF/AVTRW submitted 

sessions 

BSAS/ASF/AVTRW invited sessions (may 

also include submitted) 

Sheep (15:30-16:50) 

Ch:Dr Tim Keady 

Ruminant Health and 

Disease (15:30-17:05) 

Ch: Tim King 

Open to BSAS/ASF/AVTRW/WPSA BSAS Highlights (open to 

BSAS/AVTRW/ASF) 

Poster viewing 

BSAS/AVTRW 

Foyer Business 

School South 

WPSA 

Foyer Exchange 

Building

STUDENT MONDAY/TUESDAY 

PROGRAMME 2012 

BUSINESS SCHOOL SOUTH 

JUBILEE CAMPUS, NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY 

MONDAY 23 APRIL 2012 13:30-17:30 

WORKSHOP 1 

ROOM A025 BUSINESS SCHOOL SOUTH 

13:30 Registration/coffee 

13:55 Welcome 

14:00 Abstract submission, ‘how to get into a conference’ 

Nigel Scollan, Aberystwyth University 

14:30 Writing for the media 

Caroline Stocks, agricultural journalist and BSAS Director of Communications 

15:15 Break 

15:30 Managing your supervisor 

Jamie Newbold, Aberystwyth University 

16:00 Funding - writing quality applications 

Eileen Wall, SAC 

16:30 Break 

16:45 How to get the best out of your conference (summarizing information) 

Sam Hoste, Quantech Solutions (UK) Ltd 

17:15 BSAS Scholarships 

Gbenga Adeleye, Universty of Newcastle and Jill Mackay, SAC 

19:00 Dinner in the Atrium 

19:45 Informal evening in bar from 19:45 with Quiz 20:00 and introducing Treasure hunt - socialize and network 

TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2012 09:00-10:00 

WORKSHOP 2 

ROOM A025 BUSINESS SCHOOL SOUTH 

09:00 Careers Panel discussion – a forum to ask questions about your career 

Mike Wilkinson - University of Nottingham, Caroline Stocks - agricultural journalist, 

Peter Williams - AB Agri Ltd, Grant Walling - JSR Genetics, Mike Coffey - SAC 

Conference begins…..

BSAS AVTRW PROGRAMME 

09:00 Registration Open - Exchange Foyer 

10:00 Tea/Coffee 

BUSINESS SCHOOL SOUTH - TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2012 

LINKING ANIMAL SYSTEMS AND SYSTEMS BIOLOGY (B52) 

Chair: Prof Steve Bishop 

10:30-12:00 

10:30 185 Progress towards improving neonatal lamb survival and reproductive effi ciency in Australia 

F Brien, South Australian Research & Development Institute 

11:00 184 Integrating QTL mapping, gene-expression and next-generation sequencing to unravel a QTL 

affecting meat quality in chicken 

D J de Koning, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 

11:30 186 Using systems biology to understand feather patterns in poultry 

D Headon, Roslin Institute 

12:30 Lunch - Atrium 

AVTRW LECTURE (B52) 

Chair: Tim King 

13:30-14:00 

13:30 187 One Health - One Welfare: Can we sustain welfare standards in a food hungry world 

N Waran, University of Edinburgh 

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE (B52) 

Chair: Prof Natalie Waran 

14:00-15:20 

14:00 1 The effect of herbage allowance on day-time preference of dairy cows to be indoors or at pasture 

P R Motupalli, S M Rutter, E Bleach, L Sinclair 

14:10 2 The behaviour of continuously housed cows given free choice to access an outside environment 

D J Humphries 

14:20 3 What do handling temperament tests tell us about home pen activity in beef steers? 

J MacKay, S Turner, J J Hyslop, M Haskell 

14:30 4 The temporal changes in behaviour of beef bulls during exposure to Ostertagia ostertagi and 

subsequent recovery from infection 

O Szyszka, B J Tolkamp, S A Edwards, I Kyriazakis 

14:40 5 The topical anaesthesia welfare revolution on wool sheep farms in Australia: can xylazine assist? 

P Windsor, N Mikhaleva, C Espinoza, S Lomax 

14:50 6 The effect of radio on the welfare and behaviour of sows and their piglets in farrowing crates 

K Langdon, J Amory 

15:00 7 Evaluation of nest design and nesting substrate options for the PigSAFE free farrowing pen 

S A Edwards, M Brett, Y M Seddon, D W Ross, E M Baxter 

15:10 8 Assessment of kinematic gait characteristics of pigs reared on three different fl oor types with a single- 

plane stereophotogrammetric motion capture method 

S Stavrakakis, J H Guy, O Warlow, S E M Lawson, G R Johnson, S A Edwards 

15:30-16:00 Tea/coffee 

1

BUSINESS SCHOOL SOUTH 

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT (B52) 

Chair: Prof Nigel Scollan 

16:00-17:55 

16:00 9 Effect of forage type and an extruded linseed supplement on methane production by lactating dairy 

cows 

C K Reynolds, D J Humphries, K M Livingstone, K E Kliem, D I Givens 

16:15 10 Development and preliminary testing of an animal mounted sensor system to estimate methane 

emission from cattle 

D W Ross, M Nath, J A Rooke, C-A Duthie, C Michie, L Deans, D Wills 

16:30 11 Genetic improvement of Australian Angus cattle for lower methane emission 

R Herd, S Bird, K Donoghue, R Hegarty, P Arthur 

16:45 12 Gastrointestinal parasitism per se has no effect on methane output by lactating ewes 

J G M Houdijk, B J Tolkamp, J A Rooke, M R Hutchings 

17:00 13 Greenhouse gas (GHG) life-cycle assessment of mammalian rendered products in the UK 

A Ramirez, A Humphries, S Woodgate, R G Wilkinson 

17:15 14 Ruminant feed production in the United Kingdom in 1990 and 2010 

J M Wilkinson, A E Wray 

17:30 15 Quantifying the environmental benefi ts of using home grown protein sources as alternatives to 

soyabean meal in pig production through life cycle assessment 

C F E Topp, J G M Houdijk, D Tarsitano, B J Tolkamp, I Kyriazaki 

17:45 16 Statistical indicators of livestock effi ciency related to greenhouse gas emissions 

P McDonnell, A E Wray, J M Wilkinson 

17:50 17 Do fi nishing pigs emit enteric methane like sheep? 

B Berenchtein, A L Abdalla, P Pimentel, A Campeche, E Gomes, A L Abdallo Filho, R Peçanha, 

L Castilho, T Paim, M. Sbardella, H Louvandini, J Santos 

RCVS DEBATE (B52) 

18:30-19:30 

18:30 BSAS AGM (LT3) 

20:00 BSAS/AVTRW Conference Dinner - Atrium - Jubilee Campus 

2

EXCHANGE BUILDING - TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2012 

THE LYNNE DAWSON SESSION - MEAT QUALITY (LT3) 

Chair : Dr Peter Kennedy 

10:30-12:30 

10:30 22 Diet and gender effects on lamb meat quality 

C Craigie, D W Ross, R I Richardson, C Maltin, R Roehe, S Morris, J G M Houdijk 

10:45 19 Compensatory growth in early and late maturing steers: Effects on beef colour and sensory 

characteristics 

S M Keady, S M Waters, R Hamill, P G Dunne, M G Keane, R I Richardson, D A Kenny, 

A P Moloney 

11:00 20 Effect of the Texel muscling quantitative trait locus (TM-QTL) on spine characteristics in purebred 

Texel lambs 

C L Donaldson, N R Lambe, J M Macfarlane, C A Maltin, S A Knott, L Bunger 

11:15 21 Changes in caspase 3/7 activity and shear force during post mortem conditioning of the longissimus 

muscle of growing gilts after 7 days treatment with beta-adrenergic agonist or growth hormone 

M Mareko, K Ryan, D Brown, J Brameld, T Parr 

10130 18 Prediction of intramuscular fat from beef ultrasound scans 

C Glasbey, N R Lambe, D W Ross, R I Richardson, E A Navajas, J J Hyslop, R Roehe 

11:45 23 Effects of using peas and faba beans to replace soyabean meal on carcass quality in pigs 

L A Smith, J G M Houdijk, D Homer, I Kyriazakis 

11:50 24 Nutritional value of diets for growing / fi nishing pigs containing high levels of home grown legumes 

compared with one based on soyabean meal 2. Carcass quality 

G White, L A Smith, D Homer, J Wiseman, J G M Houdijk, I Kyriazakis 

11:55 25 Effect of packaging and ageing times on shelf life and quality of steaks from commercial 

beef striploin 

M Jaspal, F Whittington, J DeRoeck, R I Richardson 

12:00 26 Comparison of three winter fi nishing systems on vitamin E content and shelf life in lamb leg meat 

F Whittington, E Genever, K Hallett, R I Richardson 

12:05 27 Incorporation of chlorophyll based markers into lamb fi nishing rations to aid visualization of faecal 

contamination in the abattoir- a spectrometric approach 

S Sagatarame, D Leemans, V Theobald, H Fleming, A Gay, M R F Lee 

12:10 28 Microbial load of cheese produced from differently processed White Fulani cow milk 

F O Ogunleke, J A Adeneye, O A Akinsoyinu 

12:15 158 Attributes of fresh meat suitable as healthy food from healthy organic animals, (cattle and camel) 

P O Fakolade 

12:30 Lunch 

PIGS 1 (LT3) 

Chair: Dr Paul Toplis 

14:00-15:30 

14:00 29 The effects of genotype and dietary lysine concentration on growth performance of weaner pigs 

A Taylor, H M Miller, P Toplis, I Wellock 

14:15 30 Prediction of digestible phosphorus and calcium retention and requirements for different pig 

genotypes 

V Symeou, I Leinonen, S A Edwards, I Kyriazakis 

14:30 31 The effect of particle size and feed form on fi nishing pig performance 

E Magowan, M E E Ball, V Beattie, W Henry, K McCracken, F Gordon, A Thompson, R Bradford 

3

14:45 32 Lifetime performance of gilts bred on fi rst to fi fth observed oestrus 

P D Cottney, E Magowan, M E E Ball, A Gordon 

15:00 33 Changes in commercial stud boar semen abnormality types throughout the year 

A LeMoine, H M Miller 

15:15 34 Effectiveness of starter diets pre and post weaning on lifetime pig performance 

E Magowan, M E E Ball 

15:20 35 The effect of ad libitum feed post mating on the reproductive performance of gilts 

P D Cottney, E Magowan, M E E Ball, A Gordon, W Henry 

15:25 36 Effect of creep diet pre weaning and starter diet allowance post weaning on pig gut structure 

E Magowan, M E E Ball 


CATTLE: DAIRY AND BEEF (LT3) 

Chair: Dr Sinclair Mayne 

16:00-17:55 

16:00 37 A genome-wide association study of bovine tuberculosis resistance in the Northern Ireland Holstein- 

Friesian dairy cattle population 

M Bermingham, S C Bishop, J A Woolliams, A Allen, S McBride, D Wright, J Ryder, R Skuce, 

S McDowell, E Glass 

16:15 38 Relationship between immune profi le traits and functional traits in dairy cattle 

G Banos, E Wall, M P Coffey, S Gillespie, G Russell, T McNeilly 

16:30 39 Characterising heifer survival in UK dairy herds 

T C Pritchard, M P Coffey, R Mrode, E Wall 

16:45 40 How direct and maternal gestation length genetically relate to fertility, milk production, type and 

lifespan in UK Holstein-Friesian heifers 

S Eaglen, M P Coffey, J A Woolliams, E Wall 

17:00 41 Association of herd size and seasonality, with somatic cell count in Irish and UK dairy cows 

S C Archer, F Buckley, F McCoy, W Wapenaar, M J Green 

17:15 42 Effects of dietary incorporation of roughages and barley produced with selenium enriched fertilizers 

on the selenium content in milk and milk products 

I Dufrasne, V Robaye, L Istasse, J-L Hornick 

17:30 43 Use of pre-treatment with parenteral tetrathiomolybdate and fractional changes in liver copper 

concentration to improve the assessment of copper supplements by hepatic copper repletion in cattle 

N Suttle 

17:35 44 Dairy cows milked by an automatic milking system located at pasture: practical aspects on technical 

uses of the paddocks 

I Dufrasne, V Robaye, L Istasse, J-L Hornic 

17:40 45 Alkagrain for fi nishing beef cattle 

S P Marsh, J Brown, M Graham 

17:45 46 An assessment of alternative test length periods when measuring liveweight change in fi nishing cattle 

during feed effi ciency studies 

J J Hyslop, C-A Duthie, D W Ross, J A Rooke, R Roehe 

17:50 47 Effect of different level of yeast probiotic and prebiotic and their symbiotic interaction on Holstein 

female suckling calves 

N Dabiri, A Mahdavi, I Nowroozi, M Dehghan Banadaki, F Alemi 

18:30 RCVS Debate (B52) 



4


PIG HEALTH AND DISEASE - AVTRW (A25) 

Chair: Dr Mick Bailey 

10:30-12:10 

10:30 208 Aetiology, pathogenesis and immunology of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome in 

pigs: genetic environmental interaction. Results so far 

D Werling, Royal Veterinary College 

10:50 188 A multivalent vaccine and single platform diagnostic for bacterial respiratory disease in pigs: 

progress so far 

A Tucker, University of Cambridge 

11:10 48 Changes in hepatic lipid metabolism during early postnatal life: an explanation for the reduction in 

neonatal mortality in Meishan piglets? 

K Bodley, H Fainberg, Li Dongfang, J Bacardit, F Wessely, D Gardner, A Mostyn 

11:25 49 Effects of spray-dried porcine plasma on weaner pig performance and resilience to sub-clinical post 

weaning colibacilossis 

J G M Houdijk, C A van Vuure 

11:40 50 Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and its effects on proliferation and production of interleukin 

2 (IL-2) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in pigs infected with porcine respiratory and 

reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSv). 

A Pinelli-Saavedra, H Bracamontes-Hernandez, I R Esquerra-Brauer, S Y Moya-Camarena, 

J Hernandez 

11:55 51 Identifi cation of risk factors associated with poor growth performance in pigs 

S L Douglas, SA Edwards, P W Knap, E Sutcliffe, I Kyriazakis 

12:30 Lunch 

BEEF/PIGS/FEEDS/OTHERS (HIGHLIGHTS A25) 

Chair: Dr Mike Coffey 

13:30-14:00 

13:30 52 Nutritional value of diets for growing / fi nishing pigs containing high levels of home grown legumes 

compared with one based on soyabean meal 1. Growth performance 

G White, J Wiseman, L A Smith, J G M Houdijk, I Kyriazakis 

13:33 53 Short term feeding behaviour of newly weaned piglets 

F H Reynolds, J M Forbes, H M Miller 

13:36 54 Effects of one week treatment with beta-adrenergic agonist or growth hormone on the growth and 

feed conversion effi ciency of growing gilts 

K Ryan, M Mareko, D Brown, T Parr, J Brameld 

13:39 55 Estimation of residual energy intake and its genetic background during the growing period in 

commercial pigs 

M Shirali, C-A Duthie, A Doeschl-Wilson, P W Knap, E Kanis, J A M van Arendonk, R Roehe 

13:42 56 An assessment of straw intake by acid insoluble markers in commercial pigs housed in straw based 

systems 

S C Mansbridge, A H Stewart 

13:45 57 Effects of growth rate on meat quality traits in fi nisher pigs 

S Wilson, H M Miller, A Taylor 

5

13:48 58 Fatty acid composition of retail organic and non-organic beef in North East England 

S Kamihiro, S Stergiadis, C Leifert, M D Eyre, G Butler 

13:51 59 Effect of meat ageing and varying the gas headspace to meat ratio on the oxidative shelf life of beef 

loin steaks packed in modifi ed atmosphere packs 

M Jaspal, F Whittington, K Gibson, R I Richardson 

13:54 60 The implementation of docility and scrotal circumference genetic evaluations for British Limousin 

cattle 

K Moore, R Mrode 

13:57 61 Breeding structure of the pedigree Limousin cattle population in the UK 

D Todd, T Roughsedge, M P Coffey, J A Woolliams 


PIGS 2 (A25) 

Chair: Prof Colin Whittemore 

16:00-17:30 

16:00 62 Using home-grown peas and beans to replace soyabean meal does not impair nitrogen balance in pigs 

G White, J Wiseman 

16:15 63 Effects of increasing dietary inclusion levels of peas and faba beans to replace soybean meal on pig 

growth performance 

L A Smith, J G M Houdijk, I Kyriazakis 

16:30 64 Effects of low protein diets on performance and fat deposition in pigs 

L Bunger, N Lambe, G Walling, H Whitney, S Jagger, P Fullarton, N Penlington, C Maltin, J Bayntun, 

J Wood 

16:45 65 Holo-analysis to determine the factors infl uencing the effi cacy of an enhanced Escherichia coli 

phytase on average daily gain of pigs 

C Walk, T Santos, M Bedford, P Wilcock 

17:00 66 Beta-adrenergic agonist and growth hormone have differential effects on muscle fi bre composition in 

growing gilts 

D Brown, K Ryan, Z Daniel, M Mareko, T Parr, J Brameld 

17:05 67 Effects of dietary potassium diformate in sows during pre-farrowing till weaning on piglet 

performance and health - a practical approach in Germany 

L Durst, P Theobald, C Lückstädt 

17:10 68 Utilization of agro-industrial by products by growing pigs in the tropics 

E O Akinfala, O Olagbaju, A C Odewumi 

17:15 69 Effects of different additives in diets of growing pigs containing high levels of palm kernel cake and 

brewers dried grain in sub-humid tropics 

A O K Adesehinwa, O O Mgbere, B A Makanjuola, O O Obi, T Lawal, Y A Popoola 

17:20 70 Effects of maternal supplementation with essential fatty acid (Docosahexanoic acid) on neonatal 

piglet metabolism and vitality 

O O Adeleye, M Brett, D Blomfi eld, J H Guy, S A Edwards 

18:30 RCVS Debate (B52) 



6


RUMINANT/SHEEP/GOATS ( HIGHLIGHTS A24) 

Chair: Dr Sam Hoste 

14:00-14:30 

14:00 71 A platform for genotype imputation and discovery of Mendelian inconsistencies 

G Banos, M P Coffey, R Mrode 

14:03 72 Development of a cost effective direct DNA sequencing method for rapid SNP detection and 

genotyping of candidate genes 

M Orford, D Miltiadou 

14:06 73 Effect of soaked and urea treated wheat straw based diets on live weight of whether sheep 

A M Shirif, A S Chaudhry, A Younger 

14:09 74 Haematological and carcass characteristics of West African Dwarf goats fed with Moringa oleifera 

and Gliricidia sepium 

O J Oyedele 

14:12 75 Fatter lambs from fostered mums: the benefi ts of fostering lambs on daily weight gain 

S J Ward, W McCormick, G Liste 

14:15 76 Variation in live weight, ultrasonic back-fat and computerised tomography data within a sample of 

Abermax ram lambs 

E Price, J Roden, W Haresign, J Finch, De Larkin, G Gardner, N D Scollan 

14:18 77 Effect of concentrate feed level and protein source on the performance of ewes in late pregnancy and 

the performance of their progeny 

T W J Keady, J P Hanrahan 

14:21 78 Broussonetia papyrifera leaves as supplement increases total feed intake of Djallonké rams offered 

Napier grass 

E L K Osafo, O Alhassan, W Oduro 

14:24 79 Supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaves and dried Samanea saman pods on intake, N-digestibility 

and N-balance of Napier grass basal diet in Djallonke sheep 

V Attoh-Kotoku, E L K Osafo, E Addey 

14:27 80 Upgrading the in-vitro dry matter degradability of wheat straw internodes by using soaking, 

temperature and time treatments 

A M Shirif, A S Chaudhry, K Benelhaj 


7


WELLCOME VETERINARY RESEARCH - AVTRW (A26) 

Chair: Prof Peter Clegg 

10:30-12:00 

10:30 81 Comprehensive profi ling and absolute quantifi cation of equine cartilage extracellular matrix 

M J Peffers, R Beynon, D Thornton, P D Clegg 

10:45 82 Can exercise bone’s adaptive response to artifi cial mechanical loading 

L B Meakin, T Sugiyama, G L Galea, L E Lanyon, J S Price 

11:00 83 Estrogen Receptor ß signalling mediates teh down-regulatin of Sost expression by strian in human 

osteoblastic cells 

G L Galea, L B Meakin, A Sunters, L E Lanyon, J S Price 

11:15 84 Assessing therapeutic interventions in the mdx mouse using in vivo muscle physiology 

R L Terry, D J Wells 

11:30 85 Complex issues surround the use of hormones to improve dairy cow fertility: an insight into 

veterinary practitioners’ attitudes and prescribing practices 

H M Higgins, R F Smith, M J Green 

11:45 86 Deer can become infected with bovine and ovine gastrointestinal nematodes and can transmit 

anthelmintic resistant nematodes to cattle and sheep 

C Chintoan-Uta, E R Morgan, P Skuce, K Stafford, C Au, E Bevan, G C Coles 

12:30 Lunch 

DIAGNOSTICS - AVTRW (A26) 

Chair: Dr Matt Denwood 

16:00-16:45 

16:00 87 A Proteomic Approach For Biomarker Detection of Pancreas Disease (PD) in Atlantic salmon 

(Salmo salar) 

M Braceland, R J S Burchmore, R Bickerdike, D Cockerill, P D Eckersall 

16:15 88 Longitudinal surveys of astrovirus infections of chickens: rapid molecular diagnosis by real time 

reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction 

V J Smyth, H L Jewhurst, D S Wilkinson, B M Adair, A Gordon, D Todd 

16:30 89 Evaluation of immature thrombocytes (reticulated platelets) in young calves peripheral blood 

M S Rocchi, E Melzi, E Laming, I McKendrick, C R Bell, K Willoughby 

8

BUSINESS SCHOOL SOUTH - WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL 2012 

08:15-09:00 AVTRW AGM - (A26) 

HAMMOND LECTURE (B52) 

Chair: Prof Ian Givens 

09:00-10:00 

09:00 189 Role of animal-derived foods in an obesogenic environment 

M Gibney, University College Dublin 

10:00 Tea/coffee 

PRESIDENT’S SESSION - HEALTHY FOOD FROM HEALTHY ANIMALS (B52) 

Chair: Prof Ian Givens 

10:30-12:30 

10:30 190 Can milk and dairy products be an aid to body mass index control? 

A Dougkas, Lund University, Sweden 

11:00 191 Dairy products and vascular disease prevention: Evidence from prospective studies 

P C Elwood, Cardiff University of Medicine 

11:30 192 The benefi ts and limitations of fi sh in the diet 

C Ruxton, Nutrition Communications 

12:00 193 Red meat in the diet: is it as bad as we have been told? 

L Wyness, British Nutrition Foundation 

12:30 Lunch 

COMPLEMENTARY APPLIED, STRATEGIC AND BASIC RESEARCH TO IMPROVE 

NEONATAL SURVIVAL (B52) 

Chair: Dr Cheryl Ashworth 

13:30-15:10 

13:30 194 Key issues regarding neonatal mortality in farmed livestock 

S A Edwards, Newcastle University 

13:55 195 Maternal diet during pregnancy and neonatal survival - new insights into brown adipose tissue 

(BAT) regulation and function 

M Symonds, H Budge, University of Nottingham 

14:20 196 Mother-offspring behaviour and neonatal survival: From neuroendocrinology to practical 

applications 

C Dwyer, SAC 

14:45 197 Prenatal stress, immunity, and neonatal health in farm animals 

E Merlot, INRA 


9


DAIRY (B52) 

Chair: Jennifer Flockhart 

15:30-16:55 

15:30 90 Effect of grass silage to maize silage ratio and level of starch in the concentrate on the performance 

and methane production of lactating dairy cows 

K J Hart, J A Huntington, R G Wilkinson, C G Bartram, L A Sinclair 

15:45 91 Postruminal degradation of crude protein, neutral detergent fi ber and starch of maize and grass silages 

in Holstein Friesian dairy cows 

M Ali, M R Weisbjerg, J W Cone, G van Duinkerken, M C Blok, M Bruinenberg, W H Hendriks 

16:00 92 Effect of calcium salts of either palm fatty acid distillate or a palmitic acid-rich supplement on the 

fatty acid profi le of cows’ milk 

K E Kliem, R M Kirkland, D I Givens, D J Humphries 

16:15 93 Impact of dietary linseed and rapeseed supplementation on milk fatty acid composition from housed 

cows under organic and conventional management systems 

S Stergiadis, C Leifert, C J Seal, M D Eyre, G Butler 

16:30 94 Effect of forage type and extruded linseed supplementation on milk fatty acid composition 

K M Livingstone, K E Kliem, D I Givens, C K Reynolds 

16:35 95 Impact of fl avoured water on the performance and health of Jersey calves from birth through weaning 

S-M Howe, N Blackie 

16:40 96 Effect of once or twice per day milk replacer feeding systems on performance of purchased dairy-bred 

beef calves to 12 weeks 

S P Marsh, T R Rees, C L Faulkner 

16:45 97 Effect of feeding a Yeast Culture (Diamond V XP LS ) on the performance of artifi cially reared dairy- 

bred bull calves 

S P Marsh, R Stanbury, H Cromie 

16:50 98 Performance of Holstein calves fed starter containing different levels of fi ber and with or without 

feeding alfalfa hay 

A Salarinia, M H Fathi Nasri, H Farhangfar, H Naeimipour, V Kardan Moghaddam, P Rowlinson 

10

EXCHANGE BUILDING - WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL 2012 

INDUSTRY SESSIONS 

USING RESEARCH TO SOLVING INDUSTRY PROBLEMS (LT3) 

11:30 -12:30 

Chair: Dr Michael Marsden 

207 10:30 Linking science and skills in agriculture 

Richard Longthorp, Agriskills Forum 

212 10:50 Health Eradication Schemes - The pig industry’s view 

Stewart Houston, NPA 

213 11:10 Algae – its potential 

David Van Alstyne, Scottish Bioenergy 

ADVANCED TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS (LT3) 

11:30 -12:30 

Chair: Dr Sam Hoste 

11:35 RVC ATP - Louise Sherlock 

11:45 Reading ATP - Richard Frazier 

11:55 Nottingham ATP - Julian Wiseman and Jeremy Roberts 

12:05 Aberywthwth ATP - Jamie Newbold 

12:15 Discussion 

12:30 Networking Lunch 

To identify potential employees & collaborators - Exchange Building 

HOW THE CONSUMER IS IMPACTING ON RUNNING BUSINESSES (LT3) 

13:30 -15:10 

Chair: Dr Peter Williams 

198 13:30 The evolving face of the animal feed industry – the impact of the consumer 

Dr Helen Raine, AB Agri Ltd 

209 13:55 The British Pig Industry and the impact of consumer opinions 

Dr Paul Toplis, Premier Nutrition 

210 14:20 Raw material sourcing for the pet food industry – impact of the consumer on policy 

Richard Butterwick, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition 

214 14:45 Impact on the poultry industry of consumer views 

Dr Santiago Avendano, Aviagen Group 


METHODS/FEEDS/FISH (SHORT ORALS AND HIGHLIGHTS LT3) 

Chair: Dr Peter Rowlinson 

15:30-16:04 

15:30 99 Effects of anthropogenic activities on some biochemical parameters of Catla catla, from the river 

Ravi, Pakistan 

H A Shakir, J I Qazi, A S Chaudhry 

15:35 100 Effect of industrial pollution on heavy metals, total oxidants and antioxidants of Labeo rohita 

domiciled in the River Chenab 

F Jabeen, R Shaukat, A S Chaudhry 

11

15:40 101 Detecting molecular features of structural and non-structural carbohydrates in co-Products from 

bioethanol production using diffuse refl ectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) 

A Azarfar, P Yu 

15:43 102 Effects of bioethanol processing co-products type on estimated ruminal and intestinal availability of 

protein 

A Azarfar, P Yu 

15:46 103 Reproductive perfomance of rabbit bucks fed diets containing probiotics 

M A Oguike, I A Thomas, E O Onyekweodiri 

15:49 104 Fatty acid composition of different forages 

M M H Khan, A S Chaudhry 

15:52 105 Fermentation characteristics and chemical evaluation of processed cassava by-products as dry season 

feed for ruminants 

B O Oduguwa, O M Arigbede, O A Oni, O A Oderinwale, O O Oduguwa 

15:55 106 Effects of 3-carene, resorcinol and p-cresol on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids by 

rumen microorganisms in vitro 

M Bokharaeian, S Chikunya 

15:58 107 Comparative evaluation of haemagglutination potential of haemolymph from two species of giant 

African land snails using erythrocytes from cattle, sheep, goat and chicken 

J Abiona, A Akinduti, M Oyekunle, AOsinowo, O Onagbesan 

16:01 108 Effect of different tea-to-water ratios on proximate, fi bre and secondary metabolite compositions of 

spent tea leaves as a potential ruminant feed additive 

D Ramdani, C J Seal, A S Chaudhry 

EXCHANGE BUILDING - WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL 2012 

POULTRY NUTRITION - PRODUCTION (LT2) 

Chair: Dr Abdul Chaudhry 

13:30-14:40 

13:30 109 Impact of a mixed chain length omega-3 fatty acid diet on production variables in commercial free- 

range laying hens 

M Toscano, L Wilkins, J Tarlton 

13:45 110 Quantifying the effect of agricultural co-products inclusion in broiler and layer diets on Global 

Warming Potential of poultry products 

I Leinonen, A G Williams, A Waller, I Kyriazakis 

14:00 111 Effects of feeding distiller’s dried grains with soluble in broiler diets on performance and digestibility 

N B Rano, A S Chaudhry, S A Edwards 

14:15 112 Dietary supplementation of organic broilers with Melissa offi cinalis L.: effect on meat quality 

E Kasapidou, P Mitlianga, I Giannenas, L Papaloukas, I Kyriazakis 

14:30 113 Greenhouse gas (GHG) life-cycle assessment of broiler production and the effects of replacing soya 

bean meal with processed animal protein (PAP) 

A Ramirez, A Humphries, S Woodgate, R G Wilkinson 

14:35 114 Effect of feeding distiller’s dried grains with soluble on carcass characteristics and digestive organs of 

broiler chickens 

N B Rano, A S Chaudhry, S A Edwards 


12


EQUINE BREEDING, BREEDS AND SPORTS HORSE UTILISATION (A25) 

Chair: Dr Mina Davies Morel 

10:30-12:25 

10:30 199 Reproductive diseases in the equine and how they can be minimised with good ‘stud practice’ 

J R Newcombe, Warren House Veterinary Centre 

10:55 200 Improving sperm quality for equine artifi cial insemination 

J Morrell, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 

11:20 115 The effect of different freezing methods on the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-I and 

immunoglobulin G in equine colostrum 

V M Clay, H J Janicke 

11:35 116 Heritability of musculoskeletal conditions in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses at the Hong 

Kong Jockey Club 

C E Walls, T W Lewis, S C Blott, D J Mellor, K K H Lam, B D Stewart, T D H Parkin 

11:50 117 Phenotypic analyses support investigations of phylogeny in the Skyrian pony and other breeds 

S A Brown, M J S Moore-Colyer, D J Hannant 

12:05 118 UK sport horse market requirements 

K Hennessy, M Lambkin 

12:10 119 International brand representation of competition sport horses in the UK 


12:15 120 Brand associations of international sport horse brands in the UK market 


12:20 121 The Effects of two endocrine treatments on the size of ovulatory follicles in Lusitano mares in 

Portugal 

A Twigg-Flesner, F da Mata, L Greening, J Bourbon 

12:30 Lunch 

EQUINE MOVEMENT AND BEHAVIOUR (A25) 

Chair: Dr Debbie Nash 

13:30-15:00 

13:30 201 What makes them move: an overview of anatomical imaging in animals 

R Weller, Royal Veterinary College 

13:50 202 Watch them move: an overview of motion assessment in animals 

T Pfau, Royal Veterinary College 

14:10 122 Equine fore limb and hind limb stride kinematics: A response to dynamic stretching 

A M Newman, N Blackie, S V Tracey 

14:15 123 Habitation of horses to the equine hydrotherapy spa unit 

J Sharp, C Brigden 

14:20 203 Behaviour and welfare of captive animals with reference to the domestic horse 

J J Cooper 

14:45 124 The physiological and behavioural effect on the equine species of four housing designs allowing 

differing levels of physical and social contact with con-specifi cs. 

K Yarnell, C Hall, C Royle 

15:00 Coffee/Tea 

13


EQUINE NUTRITION (A25) 

Chair: Dr David Thomas 

15:30-16:40 

15:30 204 Hyperinsulinaemia = Laminitis : Truth or Fiction? 

P Harris, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition 

15:55 125 An in vitro study into the degradation of fat sources fed to equines using the gas production technique 

N Kinnard-Comedie 

16:10 126 The effect of freezing on the fermentative activity of equine faecal inocula for use in an in vitro gas 

production technique 

J-A Murray 

16:25 127 Palatability and ingestion behaviour of 6 Polo ponies offered a choice of dry, soaked and steamed hay 

for 1 hour on three separate occassions 

M J S Moore-Colyer, V Payne 

LIVESTOCK GENETICS/GENOMICS (A24) 

Chair: Dr Eileen Wall 

10:30- 12:25 

10:30 128 Evaluating the impact of different levels of residual polygenic effect on genomic evaluations in the 

United Kingdom 

R Mrode, K Moore, M P Coffey 

10:45 129 Reliability of genomic selection for different reference population designs 

M Pszczola, T Strabel, H A Mulder, M P L Calus 

11:00 130 Genomic selection in UK beef cattle terminal traits using commercial phenotypes 

D Todd, J A Woolliams, M P Coffey, T Roughsedge 

11:15 131 Comparison between BayesC and GBLUP methods to estimate genomic breeding values in threshold 

phenotypes 

M Shirali, S R Miraei-Ashtiani, A Pakdel, C Haley, P Navarro, R Pong-Wong 

11:30 132 Genetic factors controlling wool shedding in an Easycare composite sheep fl ock 

O Matika, S C Bishop, R Pong-Wong, V Riggio, D Headon 

11:45 133 Regional Genomic Relationship Mapping to indentify loci underlying nematodes resistance variation 

in Scottish Blackface sheep 

V Riggio, R Pong-Wong, O Matika, S C Bishop 

12:00 134 Ruminomics: Connecting the animal genome, gastrointestinal microbiomes and nutrition to improve 

digestion effi ciency and the environmental impacts of ruminant livestock production 

R J Wallace 

12:15 135 Vendeen sheep prolifi cacy: no evidence for role of known major genes with large effects on ovulation 

rate 

M P Mullen, H Waters, S Lennon, M A Crowe 

12:20 136 Do genotype by environment interactions (GxE) exist in Scottish Blackface ewes? 

A McLaren, N R Lambe, S Brotherstone, J Conington, R Mrode, L Bunger 

12:30 Lunch 

14


DAIRY AND FEED (HIGHLIGHTS A24) 

Chair: Dr Ryan Law 

12:30-13:06 

12:30 137 A preliminary investigation into associations between clinical lameness and reproduction in UK dairy 

herds 

C Hudson, J Huxley, M Green 

12:33 138 Amylase addition increases starch ruminal digestion in dairy cows 

P Nozière, W Steinberg, S Laverroux, H Albarello, P Amblard, B Duriot, L Genestoux, D Graviou, 

J Portelli, S Rudel, M Silberberg, M Doreau, D Morgavi 

12:36 139 Evaluation of the effi ciency of utilisation of nitrogen for Holstein heifers and steers at age of six 

months 

H Jiao, T Yan, D A McDowell, A F Carson, C F Ferris, D L Easson 

12:39 140 Measurements of enteric methane emissions from Holstein heifers and steers at age of six months 

H Jiao, T Yan, D A McDowell, A F Carson, C F Ferris, D L Easson 

12:42 141 The effect of the breeding program at Terling dairy farm Essex on the resistance and susceptibility to 

disease in Holstein dairy cows 

A Ward, C DeLuna 

12:45 142 Comparison of nitrogen-use effi ciency and energy conversion effi ciency as measures of feed 

conversion effi ciency in Holstein-Friesian cows over an entire lactation cycle 

N W Wheadon, G R Edwards, R J Dewhurst 

12:48 143 Pastures fertilized with melamine contaminated fertilizers results in the deposition of melamine in 

cow’s milk 

T Calitz, C W Cruywagen, D D Botha 

12:51 144 Estimation of correlated response selection for 305 day milk yield using monthly test day milk 

records in Iranian primiparous Holsteins 

H Farhangfar, A Arab, P Rowlinson, A Riasi, M H Fathi Nasri, M Bashtani 

12:54 145 Evaluation of milk urea nitrogen of dairy cows reared under different feed bases in the different 

seasons 

M A Baset, K S Huque, M M Hossain, M N Islam 

12:57 146 Evaluation of nitrogen utilisation effi ciency of dairy cows offered diets containing two levels of 

concentrates with or without yeast supplementation 

C Muñoz, T Yan 

13:00 147 Regional and seasonal variation in the fatty acid profi le of bulk milk, predicted using infra-red 

spectroscopy, from farms across the United Kingdom 

K E Kliem, T Hampton, P Charlton, D I Givens 

13:03 148 Effects of dietary rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acids on fatty acid composition of lipids of 

milk, liver, muscle and adipose tissue of dairy German Holstein heifers in early lactation 

R Kramer, D von Soosten 

15

FORAGE/ FEED STUFFS NUTRITIVE VALUE (A24) 

Chair: Dr Alistair Carson 

13:30-14:40 

13:30 149 The effect of persistent volcanic activity on the composition and nutritive value of the grass 

Hyparrhenia rufa 

C Rymer, R Snape, H Mason, R Morris, S Todd, H Rymer 

13:45 150 The effect of different C 32 alkane dosing regimens on forage intake predictions for grazing beef cattle 

of either dairy or suckler origin 

A Richmond, F Lively, A Wylie, S Laidlaw, A Carson, N E O’Connell 

14:00 151 Roughage intake by captive browsing ruminants: The case of the greater kudu (Tragelaphus 

strepsiceros) 

L A Taylor, C Schwitzer, M Clauss 

14:15 152 Investigation of the feedstuff composition by Fournier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) 

A Belanche, G G Allison, C J Newbold, M R Weisbjerg, M Chrenkova, J M Moorby 

14:20 153 Prediction of feedstuff composition by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) 

A Belanche, G G Allison, C J Newbold, M R Weisbjerg, M Chrenkova, J M Moorby 

14:25 154 Simultaneous HPLC analysis of alkaloid and phenolic compounds in green and black teas (Camellia 

sinensis var. Assamica) 

D Ramdani, C J Seal, A S Chaudhry 

14:30 155 Effect of beam electron irradiation on tannin and total polyphenolic compounds content of 

pomegranate seed pulp 

F Khosravi, M H Fathi Nasri, H Farhangfar, J Modarresi, P Rowlinson 

14:35 156 Chemical composition, in situ degradation and in vitro gas production of saffron (Corcus sativus) 

residues 

V Kardan Moghaddam, M H Fathi Nasri, R Valizadeh, H Farhangfar, A Salarinia, P Rowlinson 


SHEEP (A24) 

Chair: Dr Tim Keady 

15:30-16:50 

15:30 157 Effect of N underfeeding on digestibility, N balance and rumen fermentation in faunated, defaunated 

and Isotricha-monofaunated sheep 

D P Morgavi, S Laverroux, P Nozière, M Doreau 

15:45 159 The effects of season of shearing and terminal sire breed on the performance of a yearling fl ock 

C O Lynch, J P Hanrahan, T W J Keady 

16:00 160 The refractory UK sheep production system 

E A Bruce 

16:15 161 Effects of plane of nutrition during the rearing phase and pregnancy on the performance of ewes 

lambing at 2 years of age 

T W J Keady, J P Hanrahan 

16:30 162 Effect of different levels and frequency of concentrate feeding on growth performance and carcass 

characteristics of Texel cross lambs 

M I Mustafa, A S Chaudhry, A Shakir 

16:35 163 Utilization of Wheat offal-carried pineapple waste by West African Dwarf goats 

S M Odeyinka, S K Ayandiran 

16:40 164 Potentiated glycerol: a functional feed ingredient with antimicrobial and mycotoxin inactivating 

properties 

A C Venter, C A Adams 

16:45 165 Effect of different levels of urea and molasses on organic matter digestibility and estimation of 

metabolizable energy with in vitro methods (gas test, Tilley and Terry) in ensiled pistachio epicarp 

A Mahdavi, M Zaghari, M Zahedifar, A Nikkhah, F Alemi, B Darabighane, K Ghazvinian 

16


08:15 - 09:00 AVTRW AGM (A26) 

EPIDEMOLOGY AND ONE HEALTH - AVTRW (A26) 

Chair: Dr Alison Mather 

10:30-12:15 

10:30 211 Epidemiology and one health - rebrand, new clothes or tautology? 

S W J Reid, Royal Veterinary College 

11:00 166 To graze together or to graze apart: the epidemiological consequences of host resistance to 

Teladorsagia circumcincta in lambs 

Y C S M Laurenson, I Kyriazakis, S C Bishop 

11:15 167 Modelling the effects of behavioural economics in animal disease surveillance: impact on BVD 

eradication in Scotland 

M J Denwood, K M Rich, G T Innocent, S W J Reid, G J Gunn, D J Mellor 

11:30 168 Modelling the impact of Teladorsagia circumcincta larvae contamination of pasture and anthelmintic 

treatment on genetic parameter estimates for parasite resistance in grazing sheep 

Y C S M Laurenson, I Kyriazakis, S C Bishop 

11:45 169 A mechanistic approach to modelling macro-parasite transmission in a grazing system 

N J Fox, G Marion, R S Davidson, P C L White, M R Hutchings 

12:00 170 Detecting emerging and re-emerging zoonotic pathogens in rodent species using microarrays 

T Giles, A Abu-Median, L Yon, P Barrow 

12:30 Lunch 

COMPANION ANIMALS - AVTRW (A26) 

Chair: Dr Malcom Cobb 

13:30-14:55 

13:30 205 Healthy food for healthy animals, the role of companion animals 

M Cobb, University of Nottingham 

13:55 171 Cellular changes in the mitral valve of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with late-stage myxomatous 

mitral valve desease 

C C Lu, G Culshaw, A French, B Corcoran 

14:05 172 Variation in resistance and resilience to nematode parasites between selected mice strains 

S Athanasiadou, T A E van Overbeek, J L P A van Mierlo, J G M Houdijk 

14:15 173 Expression of carboxymethyllysine, an advanced glycation end product, in myxomatous mitral valve 

disease and the mitral valve of healthy dogs 

M M Liu, L Y Pang, B M Corcoran, G J Culshaw, A T French 

14:25 174 Immunomodulatory potential of salmon oil in domestic cats 

K J Rutherfurd-Markwick, P C H Morel, D G Thomas 

14:35 175 Effect of selenium in cadmium induced renal toxicity in male Sprague-Dawley rats 

F Jabeen, A S Chaudhry 

14:45 176 Seasonal effects on activity levels, energy intake and nutrient digestibility in neutered male and 

female cats in a temperate environment 

D Thomas, H Mao, E Bermingham, W Hendriks 


17

RUMINANT HEALTH AND DISEASE - AVTRW (A26) 

Chair: Tim King 

15:30-17:05 

15:30 206 Nutritional approaches for parasite control in ruminants 

S Athanasiadou, SAC 

15:55 177 Risk factors for hock lesions on 76 dairy farms in the Midlands region of the United Kingdom 

P Y Lim, J N Huxley, M J Green, A R Othman, J Kaler 

16:05 178 Production system effects on weekly prevarence of lameness in dairy cows 

M G G Chagunda, J Flockhart, C Mason, D J Roberts 

16:15 179 A preliminary investigation into the presence, risk of entry and risk of on-farm spread of Johne’s 

disease in the south west of England 

F Shepherd, T Whitaker, P Ward 

16:25 180 Culture of bone marrow derived haematopoietic stem cells in a pooled colostrum feeding model of 

bovine neonatal pancytopenia 

E Laming, E Melzi, S F E Scholes, M Connelly, C R Bell, M Dagleish, M S Rocchi, K Willoughby 

16:35 181 Ticks infesting goats in the mountainous area of Jabal Akhdar in Oman 

P A Bobade, S A Al-Riyami, R M Al-Busaidi, H Heyne, A Latif 

16:45 182 Genetic diversity of bovine viral diarrhoea isolates in Irish cattle 

R G ONeill, E Connaghan, J Mooney 

16:55 183 A preliminary study investigating factors affecting percentage of lameness in dairy cattle on farms in 

the south west of England 

F Shepherd, T Whitaker, P Ward 

18

208 

Aetiology, pathogenesis and immunology of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome in pigs: 

genetic environmental interaction. Results so far 

D.Werling 1 , P. Alarcon 1 , C. Browne 1 , T. Demmers 1 , S. Gauss 1 , D.Armstrong 2 , D. Pfeiffer 1, A.Nevel 1 , B.Schmidt 1 , C.Wathes 1 , 

M. Velasova 1 , B.Wieland 1 

1 Royal Veterinary College, London, UK, 2 BPEX, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, UK Email: dwerling@rvc.ac.uk 

Background Post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) causes major economic losses for the world-wide pig 

industry and severity of clinical signs and economic impact vary considerably between affected farms. PMWS emerged as a 

significant disease affecting pig production in the 1990s although the causal agent, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), and the 

disease itself, had existed in swine for many years prior to this. In the United Kingdom the first outbreaks of the disease were 

reported in Northern Ireland in 1997 and in the south east of England in late 1999. Subsequently, the disease moved northward 

and reached Scotland in 2002. A telephone survey with veterinary practitioners in England and Wales indicated that between 

18 and 20% of the holdings were affected by PMWS and PDNS by 2000 and a retrospective cohort study in England and 

Wales resulted in 83% of reporting British farmers having observed clinical signs of PMWS in their farm between 2000 and 

the end of 2003. Reports based on diagnostic sample submissions indicate a peak of the epidemic in 2002–2003 with 

significant decrease in the following years. During these early years of the epidemic stage, the cost of the disease has been 

estimated at £35 million per year for the United Kingdom and between €562 and 900 million across the European Union. 

PCV2 is a small and rather simply organized virus and expresses only few proteins. Therefore, it was expected that the 

factor(s) triggering PMWS should be easily identified, but more than one decade of PCV research has not yet singled out a 

molecule inducing the disease onset. Typically, the disease affects pigs aged between 8 and 15 weeks and the most frequent 

clinical signs are wasting, skin pallor, respiratory distress, diarrhoea, jaundice and enlarged lymph nodes. Economic losses are 

caused through increase in post-weaning mortality, reduced growth rates, increased feed conversion ratios, and secondary 

infections resulting in increased management and treatment costs. However, since its first occurrence, the disease appears to 

have evolved from epidemic to endemic status and farmers and veterinary practitioners have reported changes in the clinical 

pictures and severity of PMWS observed on farms. The highly beneficial effects of the PCV2 vaccines, which have been in use 

since 2008, highlight that the role of subclinical disease might have been underestimated over the last five years. Even farms 

that had minor PMWS problems seem to have been able to significantly increase their overall productivity since PCV2 

vaccination. 

The present paper gives a progress report on aspects of a collaborative project aimed to understand the current PMWS/PCV2 

situation in England, to identify risk-factors associated with the outbreak of PMWS on farms, to potentially identify key-genes 

being affected by the virus in the host, and to assess the genetic as well as the environmental factors potentially contributing to 

the occurrence of PMWS. Unravelling the molecular features of PCV and the channels through which the virus interacts with 

its host are key to manage, prevent and treat PMWS and other PCV-associated diseases. 

Methods An initial investigation into samples obtained and stored during an outbreak of PMWS on a large commercial farm 

showed that the virus was present on the farm a long time before the actual outbreak of the disease (1). The investigations also 

identified a potential genetic component as well as indicated a switch from a PCV2a to a PCV2b genotype of the virus. 

Complementary strategies of epidemiology, immunology and animal husbandry were applied to identify on-farm risk factors 

for PMWS using a cross-sectional study on 147 farms. Nearly 6000 blood-samples were analysed for a variety of porcine 

pathogens, as well as post-mortems performed to verify the presence of PCV2 (2). A microarray approach was applied to 

assess the changes induced by the current UK PCV2 isolate on different immune cell subsets as well as bone-marrow cells. 

The information derived in part 1 (Epidemiology) and part 2 (Immunology) of the project then informed part 3 (reproduction 

of disease under controlled conditions). 

Results to date: There is no doubt that PCV2 is endemic in the UK, with 99.8% of farms being tested positive for PCV2 (2). 

After developing a new scoring scheme for PMWS-affected farms (3) as well as identifying risk factors on farms for the 

occurrence of PMWS (4), we were able to show that the virus is not inducing a pathogen specific signature in infected cell 

types. Indeed, PCV2 is inducing very cell specific changes, all mounting in a suppression of immune responses, pot6entially 

pathing the field for secondary infections (Schmidt et al., in preparation). The first trials to reproduce the disease under 

controlled conditions, using the risk-factor identified are currently on their way, and the first results indicate the successful 

reproduction of PMWS. Available results will be presented and discussed at the meeting. 

Acknowledgements This project is funded by the BBSRC CEDFAS Initiative, with industrial support from Pfizer Animal 

Health, BioBest Ltd. And BPEX. 

References 

1. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection before and during an outbreak of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting 

syndrome (PMWS) on a pig farm in the UK. Wieland, B., Werling, D., Nevel, A., 

19 

, Grierson, S., Rycroft, A., Demmers, 

T.G., Cook A., Done S.H., Armstrong D., and Wathes, C.M. Vet Record, in press 

2. Prevalence of endemic pig diseases in England: an overview six months into a large-scale cross-sectional study on Post- 

Weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS). B. Wieland, P. Alarcon, M. Velasova, A. Nevel, H. Towrie, D. 

Pfeiffer, C. Wathes, D. Werling. The Pig Journal 2010; 63: 20-23 

3. Assessment and quantification of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome severity at farm level. Alarcon P, 

Velasova M, Werling D, Stärk KD, Chang YM, Nevel A, Pfeiffer DU, Wieland B. Prev Vet Med. 2011 Jan 1;98(1):19-28. 

4. Farm level risk factors associated with severity of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome. Alarcon P, Velasova 

M, Mastin A, Nevel A, Stärk KD, Wieland B. Prev Vet Med. 2011 Sep 1;101(3-4):182-91.

207 

Linking science and skills in agriculture 

R Longthorp 

LKL Farming . Burland . Holme Road . Howden . Goole . Yorkshire, UK 

Email: rlongthorp@longthorp.com 

Is there a need for a link between science and skills? If there is a need, then is there a link in place and is it effective? 

The answer to the first question is unequivocally yes. There has to be a clear and effective link between science and skills if 

real value is to be realised and delivered to industry and society from science and technology. 

The primary function of applied science should not be the science per se, but the application of it. Not what the research shows 

but what the research allows to happen as a consequence. If nothing positive happens as a consequence of the research or if the 

full potential of the research is not realised then time and resource have been wasted and value lost. Would scientists want to 

be remembered for great science or great impact? 

But scientists are, for the most part, totally dependent on others to help and apply their science - the extension officers and 

farmers. By the same token, the farmers and extension officers rely upon the skills of the scientist to carry out good quality 

research. There is also a joint responsibility to determine just what needs researching. It is in the common interest, therefore, 

that all within the triumvirate of applied scientists, extension officers and farmers are not only competent but also constantly 

working to maintain and improve their contemporary competence and professional standards. 

By improving skills across the piece, developing stronger relationships with those upstream and downstream and by targeted 

research and its effective application, more value can be added to the whole process. 

Adding synergistic value through collaborative and complementary working is not new and there is a parallel with existing 

collaborative models. The concept and benefits of value added through integrated supply chains has been recognised for some 

time by both economists and those operating in industry alike. The value of the (integrated) whole can be significantly greater 

than the value of the sum of the parts. 

The same should be true of an integrated approach to science, extension and skills. Integration should lead to better directed 

science, better translated science and better implemented science. The result is that more total value is generated, part of which 

can be ploughed back into further research, technology, extension and skills and even more value added. Does the term 

“Technology Value Chain” exist? Perhaps it should do. Perhaps it should be implicit in all Supply Value Chains. 

Whilst most agricultural sectors can claim to have a science, R&D and extension offer, only a few could claim to have a skills 

offer that is integrated into the mix. The pig industry is one of these but even this would have to be described as “work in 

progress”. Most of the effort has thus far been concentrated on technical skills at farm level. Recently more attention has been 

paid to leadership and management skills. This has given a quantum step in terms of achieving behavioural change. Lessons 

can be learnt by the science fraternity by not just looking at technical skills but also incorporating those other soft, 

management and leadership skills necessary to get the best out of industry’s limited resources. Furthermore, as with primary 

production, there is also a need to help develop the higher level skills and professional standing and recognition of the 

scientists so that applied agricultural science is seen as a career of choice. 

Looking at the broader picture, it is encouraging to note that the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board are starting 

to recognise the importance of not only skills but also the relationship between science, extension and skills. However, a 

primary pre-requisite for this initiative to gain traction is for all sectors to have comprehensive skills offers. In the meantime 

the pig industry can hopefully demonstrate what value is possible by further refining its integrated offer of science, extension 

and skills. 

20

198 

The evolving face of the animal feed industry: Impact of the consumer 

H D Raine 

AB Agri Ltd, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, UK Email: helen.raine@abagri.com 

This paper will consider a number of changes that have occurred across the feed industry since the 1980s and the emergence of 

BSE and CJD in particular. Prior to this point, compounders were focussed on supplying feeds to support the required output 

of milk, meat and/or eggs as cost-effectively as possible. Safety concerns tended to be focussed on the animals per se rather 

than on the products produced. 

There has been a raft of EU legislation aimed at ensuring both feed and food safety since that time and the industry has taken a 

pro-active stance since the mid-90s which will be described. Increased monitoring and reporting means that issues still arise 

across the EU (often due to imports) but the industry is quick to respond to these and works closely with the Food Standards 

Agency and / or DEFRA towards resolution. 

The use of GM technology and concerns about the development of antimicrobial resistance are other threats which have 

impacted the industry. However, feed and food safety is not the only consequence of consumer awareness. The recognition of 

global warming has led to numerous initiatives aimed at reducing GHG emissions on farm and energy usage across the sector 

and has given nutritionists incentive to reduce further methane output and improve nutrient utilisation. 

Finally, the worldwide drive towards sustainable food and livestock production has and is providing a challenge to the industry 

which, as always, means opportunity for those who react proactively. 

21

209 

The British Pig Industry and the impact of consumer opinions 

P. Toplis 

Technical Director, Primary Diets, Melmerby Industrial Estate, Melmerby, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 5HP England. 

Email: paul.toplis@primarydiets.com 

Neither the consumer nor the Pig Industry is defined within an exact science. Consumers and their opinions are described in an 

enormous variety of ways including High Rise Hardship through Educated Urbanites to Prudent Pensioners, Settled Suburbia, 

and Affluent Greys and so on. The list seems endless! The Agricultural Census wins few prizes for accuracy but according to 

the latest census there are around 4.5 million pigs in the UK with over 425 thousand breeding females. Surprisingly both 

breeding and fattening herd sizes continue to fall (down to 148 and 783 respectively). The greatest density of pigs is in Suffolk 

but the greatest number is in East Yorkshire. In England around 40 percent of commercial breeding pigs are outdoors utilising 

around 9000 hectares. Most indoor breeding pigs are kept on totally or partially slatted floors in farrowing accommodation 

whilst the remainder of the breeding cycle is straw based. Only one fifth of outdoor bred piglets remain outdoors (7-30kg) with 

indoor reared piglets split evenly between straw and fully slatted accommodation. Beyond 30kg only three percent of pigs 

remain outdoors. The majority of indoor reared pigs beyond 30kg are on straw but relatively more finishers (above 65kg) are 

on slatted flooring. Across breeding units 118,000 females have Freedom Food certification with an estimated 2.7 million 

finished pigs covered by the scheme. Around 50,000 pigs are covered by organic certification at any one time. 

Abattoirs killing pigs have declined considerably with only 124 remaining in England. Four large companies with eight sites 

now kill three quarters of English pigs. The average number of workers per holding with pigs is 3.3 with over half of these 

farmers, partners, directors and spouses. Self sufficiency in pork production has fallen from 80% in 2000 to around 50% today, 

a fall some commentators blame on the increased costs associated with meeting consumer opinions (demands) not being 

recompensed by their actual buying habits. 

The British Pig Industry has learned to its cost that many consumers have aspirations and interests which outstrip their 

shopping behaviour. The British consumer has long had an interest in ethical (welfare) and environmental issues and these 

continue to grow (up from 81% to 86% in the last 4 years). Despite a growing awareness and interest in these issues the 

economic climate has a ‘gearing’ effect on how much consumers engage them during shopping. A recent survey by IGD 

segmented shoppers into five segments and compared their shopping behaviour to that found in a previous survey. The Ethical 

Evangelists, the most ethically engaged, have decreased their application to shopping choices (down from 15% to 8%), whilst 

the Focussed Followers (focused on several issues only) are similarly less engaged (26% down to 21%). The Aspiring 

Activists & Blinkered Believers, who now account for 54% of shoppers, actively support a number of ethical issues but are 

selective about which one(s) they apply to shopping choices. Rather than dropping their ethical standards they tend to focus on 

the one which concerns them most when shopping. It is this shift out of broad engagement into narrow focus at the moment of 

purchase which has confounded pig producers until recently. Interestingly the Conscience Casuals, who are not ethically 

engaged, have declined (from 21% to 16%). What is clear is that ‘value’ continues to drive consumer choices at purchase but 

that there is increasingly a mental referencing to their ‘values’ as they seek to satisfy as many ethical and environmental 

concerns as possible within their financial constraints. Value and Values compete at the point of purchase and the weighting 

given to Values is influenced by the disposable income of the purchaser. Consumers believe they should be rewarded for 

embracing Values through incentives on the more ethical products. 

An increasing feature of the British Pig Industry is the integrated Values chain where of a specific group of farms act as a 

dedicated supplier for a specific retailer or brand for that retailer. While the British Pig Industry may be dominated by talk and 

demand for Values, many consumers still feel unable to put their aspirations into practice and purchase instead what they 

perceive to be best value for money. These mixed messages from consumers will continue to undermine producer confidence 

and continue to reinforce a commonly held producer view that their only option is to work as a fiercely independent business 

seeing their neighbour as a competitor. 

The British Pig Industry has been seriously weakened by consumer opinion influencing politicians, who naively allowed what 

Aspiring Activists & Blinkered Believers say rather than do to dictate our laws and government policy. Where pig producers, 

processors and retailers work together to satisfy the consumer demand for value and values stronger and more profitable 

supply chains are emerging. Dealing with current welfare issues raised by consumers such as tail docking, teeth 

clipping/grinding and nose ringing matters profoundly in some supply chains but not at all in others. 

22

210 

Raw material sourcing for the pet food industry – impact of consumer on policy 

R.Butterick, Head of Nutrition, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition Email: richard.butterick:effem.com 

Cats and dog s have been associated with man for many centuries, and in modern society they represent the most popular 

companion animal. Pet populations and pet ownership are highest in developed countries such as the USA, where more than 

50% of households own either a dog or cat. In 2010 the dog and cat populations in Europe was estimated to around 60 and 64 

million respectively, with similar size populations in the USA. In 2011 the global pet food market was predicted to reach $80 

billion with sales of dog and cat food accounting for approximately 55% of this number. Growth of pet populations in 

developed markets is relatively static and it is anticipated that emerging markets such as the India, Russia, China and Brazil 

will be important contributors to future growth. 

There are two key consumers that influence the pet food industry. The owner who decides what food to purchase, and the pet 

who ultimately consumes the food. The needs and wants of these two ‘consumers’ may at times be different, and can represent 

a challenge to the pet food manufacturer. Pet owners are currently presented with a wide array of pet food products and 

choices. Over the past few years there has been increasing level of individualisation, with some products following trends in 

human foods such as ‘natural’ and organic’ that are reflecting owner perceived, as well as pet needs. 

From a pets perspective they require a diet that meets their nutritional requirements throughout their life-span. Although pets 

have been associated with man for many centuries their nutritional requirements have only been studied in detail over the past 

40 years or so. Recent reviews such as the National Research Council (NRC; 2006) form a sound basis for pet food 

manufacturers to formulate diets to provide complete and balanced nutrition. The domestic cat in particular has some unusual 

nutritional requirements that require special attention. Whilst both dogs and cats fall in the order Carnivora, comparison of 

their nutritional requirements supports the concept that in the cat specialisation of metabolism has occurred consistent with the 

evolutionary influence of a strict carnivorous diet (LeGrand-Defretin, 1994). Examples of this specialisation include a limited 

ability to regulate amino acid catabolism; the inability to synthesize the sulphonic acid taurine, or convert carotene to retinol, 

or linoleic acid to arachidonic acid. The ‘idiosyncrasies’ in feline metabolism appear to confirm that unlike the dog, the cat is 

an obligate carnivore and is dependent on a supply of at least some animal derived material in its diet. 

We have been studying in more detail diet selection based on macronutrient composition in both cats and dogs. A recent study 

(Hewson-Hughes et al., 2011) has shown that cats when given free access to a range of pet foods, modify choices and 

consumption so as to regulate their intake of protein, fat and carbohydrate and achieve a target balance. They are able to do 

this when presented with a range of different foods although the mechanism by which they do so remains unknown. The 

macronutrient ‘target’ reported by Hewson et al (2011) is very similar to that reported in feral cat populations consuming 

‘prey’ based diets (Plantinga et al., 2011). These findings support the concept that cats are hypercarnivores, i.e. animals that 

have evolved to consume vertebrate prey almost exclusively. Since this concept is aligned with Darwinian principles of 

evolution it is, perhaps, not surprising that the macronutrient targets expressed by cats are consistent with the composition of 

their natural vertebrate prey, particularly in relation to protein and fat . What is remarkable, however, is that this regulation of 

food intake has survived nearly 10,000 years of domestication. 

The relatively high protein requirement of the cat (and to a lesser extent dogs), means that protein rich animal based raw 

materials are a primary staple in manufactured pet foods. Securing supply of appropriate protein raw materials will be a key 

challenge to the pet food industry to meet the anticipated growth in the global market over the next 20 years. There is also 

increasing competition with the human food industry, as technologies for recovery of animal meat materials have developed 

over the past few years. These challenges mean the pet food industry is looking at potential short fall in protein supply that will 

require the development of new and alternative protein sources over the coming few years. 

References 

National Research Council. 2006. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. Washington, DC: National Academy Press 

LeGrand-Defretin, V. 2004. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 53, 15-24 

Esther A. Plantinga, E.A., Bosch, G. and Hendriks, W.H. (2011). British Journal of Nutrition 106 (S1), S35-S48. 

Hewson-Hughes, A.K., Hewson-Hughes, V.L., Miller, A.T., Hall, S.R., Simpson, S.J. and Raubenheimer, D. 201. Journal of 

Experimental Biology 214 (6), 1039-1041 

23

211 

Epidemiology and one health - rebrand, new clothes or tautology? 

Stuart WJ Reid 

The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA 

Email: swjreid@rvc.ac.uk 

Increasingly, understanding the complexity and interconnected nature of the ecosystems we share with other species is 

recognised as central to the delivery of sustainable solutions. The intersect of the classical host/pathogen/environment 

conceptual Venn diagram, if not now coming of age, is at least captured sublimely in the moniker "one health". 

The role that epidemiology has played in bringing us to this point should not be underestimated. One can point to a range 

centres worldwide where epidemiology has the range of prefixes one might expect of one health; genetic epidemiology, 

behavioural epidemiology, zoonotic epidemiology, environmental epidemiology, aquatic epidemiology, diagnostic 

epidemiology...the list is a long one. Some argue that this is epidemiology's big problem - that it is not a pure science. I argue 

the opposite. The fact that an epidemiological approach is prevalent in these broad areas of investigation reinforces the fact that 

the key elements of epidemiology - a population approach, controlling for confounding and bias and accounting for error - 

make it one of the sciences which must underpin one health. Furthermore, the recent focus on the need to demonstrate the 

impact and benefits of research can, in many cases, be addressed by adopting well designed quantitative trials of some sort; 

once again, an epidemiologist's bread and butter. 

However, challenges remain and lest we overstate the case, there are other sciences that will be critical to the delivery of a true 

one health agenda. With environmental scientists, engineers and social scientists now at the table with those from the 

veterinary, medical and life sciences, synergy can only be achieved with a new common language and open dialogue. We will 

require approaches that are beyond multidisciplinary and pursue our endeavours at the interfaces and intercepts of our 

individual subject areas, where inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary are the watchwords and where we align thinking aside 

from our "ology" or "omic" bound lexicons. 

Evident from its track record, epidemiology's role will be as but one of the multilingual platforms on which much of this 

interaction can occur and by remaining true to its roots but being open to other cognate approaches, epidemiology will ensure 

its place close to the centre of the new world that is one health. So rather than a rebranding, or new clothes or even tautology, 

one health offers epidemiology new opportunities, new horizons and the ability to make a difference. 

24

Cost action feed for health a scientific hub 

Luciano Pinotti* 

Department of Veterinary Sciences and Technology for Food Safety, Università di Milano, Italy 

*Feed for health Action Chair luciano.pinotti@unimi.it 

The main aim of the project is to develop an integrated and collaborative network of research groups that focuses on the roles 

of feed and animal nutrition in improving animal health and also the quality, safety and wholesomeness of human foods of 

animal origin. A further topic of the action is to examine the perception of consumers as regards the effects of animal nutrition 

on animal health and on the quality and safety of the resulting food products. The main success of the project was to start a 

cross-talk; not only between different research fields, ie. animal science and feed and food safety, consumer science, but also to 

implement the contacts between research institutions (universities and food and agriculture institutes) and feed/food safety 

authorities and control bodies. Currently, more than 25 countries and 50 research institutes have joined the action. The Feed for 

Health project works mainly through four Working Groups (WG): Feed and food for health (WG1), Feed Safety (WG2), Feed 

Supply (WG3), and Consumer concerns and perceptions (WG4). During its life span the action evidenced that wholesome and 

balanced feed is essential not only for promoting animal growth, production and health, but also for producing high quality 

food products. This is particularly likely to be true in large scale animal production, where nutrition-based interventions for 

health can offer a practical and efficient solution to maintaining animal health. However, connections between feed, animal 

nutrition, animal health, and healthy animal products for humans have been mainly investigated considering one or a limited 

number of nutrients at a time. Feed safety aspects have also been investigated on a piecemeal basis: at the level of individual 

contaminants. In this context the action contributed in pooling, integrating and disseminating information in nutritional 

optimization and safety of all food-producing animals (including fish). Furthermore, an innovative approach in the action was 

to address the Consumer concerns and perceptions. Part of the activities were in fact, focused on the analysis of the 

preoccupations/perception of consumers as regards the effects of feed production processes on animal health and on the quality 

and safety of the resulting food products. This analysis has evidenced that FEED is perceived as particularly vulnerable in the 

livestock chain. During its lifespan the COST Action FA0802 promoted the acquisition and facilitated the dissemination of 

knowledge in these areas and encouraged cooperation between various research fields especially by the establishment of 

important training programmes for young scientists who have been able to work for periods in collaborators’ laboratories as 

part of Short Term Scientific Missions (STSM). 

25

Investigation & the Development of Dynamic Mathematical Models of PRRSV Host-Pathogen 

Interactions 

Zeenath Islam, Roslin Research Institute, University of Edinburgh 

Email: zeenath.islam@roslin.ed.ac.uk 

Mathematical models of host-pathogen interactions provide valuable insight into the mechanisms underlying virus dynamics as 

they concern the dynamics of the complex system as a whole. In this study we investigate within-host interactions of the 

endemic viral disease Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome virus (PRRS), and conduct statistical analysis on data 

from five PRRS challenge studies. In particular we investigate functions describing the viral load profiles, which can be used 

for subsequent genetic analyses and for the validation of dynamic mathematical models of PRRS. Using mixed models we 

explored the fixed and random effects on the model parameters and found a nonlinear relationship between viral load and days 

post infection that is well described by the Woods function yi =At b e ¡ci t ; individual variation is represented in the parameter 

c which corresponds to the rate of decline from the peak viral load. Future studies will involve refining the models to account 

for viral reactivation; a phenomenon exhibited in approximately a third of the pigs in the dataset. Neither the role of hostgenetics 

nor the factors which drive this reactivation are yet fully understood. 

26

WPSA (UK Branch) ANNUAL MEETING 

24 th /25 th April 2012 

Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham 

Exchange Building LT2 

Monday 23 & 24 April 2012 

BSAS student Monday/Tuesday 

Tuesday 24 April 2012 

10.00 Tea/Coffee and registration 

10:30 OPENING WPSA ANNUAL MEETING 

10.30-11.30 Session 1: Original communications; Health and welfare 

10:30 5) The effects of meloxicam on the serum acute phase proteins ceruloplasmin, PIT54 and 

ovotransferrin in gait score 1 and gait score 3 broiler chickens 

O'Reilly E.L., Sandilands V., Sparks N.H.C., Walls C.E., Eckersall P.D. 

10:45 6) Interactive effects of diet composition and litter quality on growth performance and incidence of 

sub-clinical necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens 

Saleem G., Sparks N.H.C., Pirgozliev V, Houdijk J. 

11:00 7) Does scatter feeding or an increased space allowance reduce polydipsia in the feed restricted grower 

broiler breeder? 

Burnett H., Buckley L. 

11:15 8) PDGFRL: a novel candidate for regulation of follicle development in the broiler breeder ovary 

McDerment N., Wilson P.W., Dunn I.C., Hocking P. 

11.30-12.45 Session 2: Invited speakers session (Advances in humane killing) 

11:30 1) inv Approaches to culling poultry humanely on farm 

Sandilands V, Sandercock D, Sparrey J, McKeegan D, Hopkins J, Raj M, Sparks N H C 

11:55 2) inv High expansion gas filled foam: a humane agent for emergency killing of poultry 

Mckeegan D E F, Gerritzen M A, Sparrey J M 

12:20 3) inv Recent advances in stunning of poultry 

Gerritzen M A, Reimert H G M, Hindle V A, Lamooij E 

12.45-13.45 Lunch 

27

13:45-15.00 Session 3: Invited speaker, Original communications and short oral 

introductions to a selection of poster presentations 

13:45 4) inv Eggs in the diet, do they increase the risk of chronic disease? 

B Griffin 

14:10 9) Does the transcript for the putative chicken antimicrobial egg white protein tenp produce products 

with both one and two LPS-binding domains? 

Whenham N, Dunn I.C. 

14:25 10) Optimum methodology for determining broiler gastrointestinal pH. 

Morgan N K, Walk C, Bedford M R, Burton E T 

14:40-15:00 

Short orals 

11) Chemical compositions and prediction of the total amino acids and total indispensable amino acids 

contents of maize- and wheat-Distillers' Dried Grains with Solubles 

Adebiyi A, Olukosi O 

12) Relationship between digseta pH, body weight and nutrient utilisation in chickens of different body 

weights and at different ages 

Dono N D, Sparks N, Olukosi O 

13) Growth performance and efficiency of protein utilisation for growth in turkeys receiving adequate- 

or reduced-crude protein and amino acid supplemented diets up to 16 weeks 

Asheen N, Khattak F, Sparks N, Olukosi O A 

14) Effect of canola meal and litter condition on gut health 

Saleem G., Sparks N.H.C, Pirgozliev V., Houdijk J. 

15) The effects of dietary supplementation of mannan oligosaccharides on the intestinal morphology of 

broilers 

Frith L., Lea H., Burton E. 

16) Hypothalamic agouti related peptide mRNA levels as a potential integrated measure of hunger state 

in birds 

Dunn I C, Wilson P W, Smulders T V, D'Eath R B, Boswell T 

17) Dry matter digestibility and energy metabolisability by broiler chickens fed malted sorghum sprouts 

treated with rumen filtrate, protease or glucanase 

Oduguwa O.O, Südekum K-H, Lohakare Jayant, Abdel-Wareth Ahmed, Pirgozliev V 

18) Chemical evaluation of fungi biodegraded products of Malted sorghum sprouts using Aspergillus 

niger, Trichoderma viride and their mixed culture 

Osofowora A.O, Kareem S.O, Jegede A.V, Oduguwa O.O, Edema M.O, Sdekum K-H, Pirgozliev V 

19) Response of turkey poults to diets containing malted sorghum sprouts supplemented with enzyme or 

yeast 

Oke F.O, Oso A.O, Adeyemi A.O, Fafiolu A.O, Jegede A.V, Oduguwa O.O 

20) Effect of fermented moist feed with Lactobacillus plantarum on Salmonella typhimurium in the 

digestive system of chicken 

Wali N.A., Kuri V., Beal J. 

15:00-16:00 Tea/coffee and poster viewing. Authors in attendance 

28

16:00-17:00 Session 4: Original communications; Improving efficiency-Improving the 

environment 

16:00 21) Evaluating possibilities to reduce the Global Warming Potential of poultry products through the 

inclusion of European protein sources in broiler and layer diet 

Kyriazakis I., Williams A.G., Waller A., Leinonen I. 

16:15 22) What can laying hens tell us about the mechanism of action of xylanase in a maize/soy-based diet? 

Masey O'Neill H., Sinurat A. 

16:30 23) Growth and performance of broilers: Variation between three lines, and the role of dietary Apparent 

Metabolizable Energy and dietary Net Energy of Production as an indication of performance 

Aitchison M., Speakman J., Pirgozliev V., Watson K. 

16:45 24) A lowering of the phosphorus content of broiler litter following the adoption of phytase use in 

broiler diets in Northern Ireland 

Ball E., Foy R., George J. 

17:15 GORDON MEMORIAL LECTURE 

Dr Ilaria Capua - Avian influenza: a game changer in international public health policies 

18:15 Gordon Memorial Reception 

20:00 WPSA ANNUAL DINNER - National College 

Wednesday 25th April 2012 

09:00- 10.00 Hammond Memorial Lecture (B52 – Business School South) 

10 :00 Tea/Coffee 

10.45-12:00 Session 4: Original communication - Nutritional 

10:45 25) Concentration of phytic acid in different sections of the digestive tract of broilers in response to 

supplementation of phytase or admixture of carbohydrases and protease individually or in 

combination 

Khattak F., Olukosi O., A, Cowieson A., Adeola L. 

11:00 26) The effect of varying dietary available phosphorus and calcium content, the calcium:phosphorus 

ratio and the use of phytase on broiler performance and bone strength parameters 

Ball E., George J., Hannan A. 

11:15 27) Does the inclusion of rapeseed meal and superdosing phytase affect laying hen performance? 

Pace S, Walk C., Bedford M., Miller H. 

11:30 28) Interaction of biotin and riboflavin in starter diets for turkey poults 

Stevenson E., Beard P., Hocking P.M. 

11:45 29) Effect of diet type and enzyme supplementation on gut microflora and gut pH in broilers 

Ofongo R. T. S., Robinson A., Iyayi E. A. 

12.00 - 12:30 AGM presentation of presidents prizes 

29

12:30-13:30 LUNCH 

13:30-15:10 Joint WPSA/BSAS Industry Session 

Posters 

30) Impact of garlic and capsicum on health, immunity and productive performance of broiler chickens 

Abdel-Rasoul A-Z M, Tony M,, Shaheed I B, Ismail E, Edrise B 

31) Dietary plant extracts improve growth and antioxidative status of chickens reared on previously used litter 

Karadas F, Pirgozliev V, Dimitrov D, Rose P, Bravo D 

32) Effect of β-mannanase on the gut morphology of broilers fed palm kernel meal-based diets 

Makanjuola B. A., Olorunghounmi T. O., Adesehinwa A. O. K., Obi O. O., Oladele O. 

33) Haematology and serum biochemistry of exotic and the Nigerian indigenous turkey poults fed diets containing 

shrimp waste-meal 

Adeyeye E.A, Oduguwa O.O, Südekum K-H, Jegede A.V, Idowu O.M.O, Olowofeso O, Pirgozliev V 

34) Effects of replacing dietary fish meal with shrimp wate-meal on the performance of exotic and the Nigerian 

indigenous turkey poults 

Adeyeye E.A, Oduguwa O.O, Jegede A.V, Fafiolu A.O, Oso A.O, Südekum K-H, Pirgozliev V 

35) Effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharides on the prevalence of Salmonella organisms in the droppings of 

sampled laying hens within south-western Nigeria 

Ogunade I.M, Eruvbetine D, Fafiolu A.O, Oyekunle M.A, Oso A.O, Sobayo R.A, Osho S.O, Ekunseitan D.A 

36) Influence of strain x environment interaction on fertility and hatchability traits of indigenous Guinea fowl 

(Numida Meleagris) eggs 

Obike O. M., Nosike R. J., Ukewulonu I. E. 

37) Performance and serum biochemistry of broiler chicks fed diets containing processed castor oil seed (Ricinus 

communis) cakes as partial replacement for soya bean meal 

Oso A.O., Bamgbose A.M., Oduguwa O.O., Jegede A.V., Fafiolu A.O., Idowu O.M.O, Sobayo R.A, 

Olayemi W.A, Lala O.A, Oke F.O. 

38) Growth and physiological responses of broilers offered honey during hot-dry season 

Abioja Monsuru Oladimeji, Ogundimu Kabir Babatunde, Akibo Titilayo, Odukoya Kayode, 

Abiona John Adesanya, Ajiboye Oluwatosin Olawunmi 

39) Study of effects of different levels of Aloe vera gel powder on antibody titre against sheep red blood cells and 

other blood parameters in broilers 

Mahdavi A, Alemi F, Ghaderi Mi, Ghazvinian K, Darabighane B 

40) Effect of multi-enzyme supplementation of malted sorghum sprout to broiler chicks. 

Fafiolu A, Jegede V, Oso O, Idowu O, Sobayo R, Olarotimi I 

41) Effect of probiotics Lactobacillus plantarum on Salmonella typhimurium 1344 in chicken model 

Ali Wali N, Bea J, Kuri V 

42) Influence of yeast culture supplementation on carcase yield and blood cholesterol in broiler chicks 

Al-Homidan A, Fathi M., AL-Mansour S. 

43) Biodegradation of shrimp waste-meal by Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride and their mixed culture and 

chemical composition of the biodegraded products 

Osofowora A O, Kareem S. O, Jegede A. V, Edema M. O, Südekum K-H, Oduguwa O.O 

For information - BSAS/AVTRW Programme after the summaries. 

30

British Society of Animal Science 

PO Box 3, Penicuik 

Midlothian EH26 0RZ 

United Kingdom 

Tel: +44 (0) 131 650 8784 

Fax: +44 (0) 131 650 8821 

Email: bsas@sac.ac.uk 

Website http://www.bsas.org.uk

PROGRAMME - British Society of Animal Science

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