August 8, 2023

 

University of Liverpool leads pioneering research projects to combat UK livestock disease

 

 

To combat the formidable challenges posed by livestock diseases to the UK farming and agricultural sectors, the University of Liverpool has secured over GBP 1.4 million (~US$1.7 million; GBP 1 = US$1.27) in government funding for three innovative research projects, The Mirage reported

 

These projects, spearheaded by the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences at the university, are poised to revolutionise disease management within the livestock domain.

 

The university's academic experts have achieved this feat through three projects that encompass diverse aspects of livestock health:

 

    1.  Professor George Oikonomou will lead a project to devise genetic and management solutions for lameness-associated endemic diseases in dairy cattle. Supported by key industry partners, this project aims to not only advance expertise in this domain but also propagate its impact through comprehensive knowledge exchange and implementation science research.

 

    2.  The project helmed by Professor Diana Williams seeks to deliver rapid diagnostic tests for effective control of parasitic diseases in sheep and cattle. By identifying infected animals and directing treatments precisely, this initiative tackles the growing challenges linked to resistance against parasite-control medications and the evolving global climate.

 

    3.  Led by Dr Kannan Ganapathy, the study supported by the university's industry partners is dedicated to providing scientific evidence for sustainable egg production in UK free-range flocks. The project encompasses investigations into the intricate interactions between farming practices, flock coinfections, and immunity, all aimed at enhancing poultry health and welfare.

 

Professor Matthew Baylis, executive dean of the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, expressed the institution's commitment to innovative solutions for real-world problems. He said that this funding empowers their progress in vital priority areas.

 

The funding sources, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), have channelled GBP 9 million (~US$11.4 million) into the multi-million-pound second phase of the transformative endemic livestock disease initiative. Commencing in 2021 with an GBP 11.5 million (~US$14.6 million) budget, this initiative envisions revolutionising the UK livestock sector by alleviating the burden of endemic diseases on animal health, welfare, and productivity.

 

This transformative initiative hinges on the synergy of academia, industry, and end-users. Its collaborative approach seeks to foster innovative solutions through on-farm strategies that effectively mitigate the impact of endemic diseases on the UK's livestock sector. By fostering 45 new industry partnerships and engaging with over 170 end-users, including farmers and policymakers, the initiative strives to ensure research outcomes address practical needs.

 

-      The Mirage