A research project led by the University of Nottingham is one of 14 projects to receive a share of £9 million in grant funding to revolutionise the UK livestock sector.
Dr. Tania Dottorini, associate professor in bioinformatics at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham, will lead a project that uses artificial intelligence to monitor the gut biome in livestock. She hopes that this will lead to earlier detection of infection in livestock and support the development of new therapies that could decrease the current issues caused by anti-microbial resistance.
The news comes as The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announces £9 million funding for phase two of their ground-breaking endemic livestock disease initiative.
This funding brings together farmers, vets and researchers to develop and test new solutions to some of our most serious animal health challenges on farm.
The £11.5 million initiative commenced in 2021 and seeks to transform the UK livestock sector by reducing the burden of endemic diseases on animal health, welfare and productivity.
Highlighting the significance of the UK livestock endemic disease challenge, the initiative is backed by key UK partners, including:
- the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
- the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
- the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
- the Scottish Government
Developed in consultation with academia, industry and policy makers, the endemic livestock disease initiative focuses on fostering collaborative research between academia, industry and end-users. The goal is to deliver innovative on-farm solutions that will effectively mitigate the impact of endemic diseases on the UK livestock sector.
To date, the initiative has successfully facilitated the formation of 45 new industry partnerships, forging strong collaborative networks. Moreover, it has engaged with over 170 end-users including farmers, veterinarians and policymakers to ensure that the research outcomes directly address their practical needs.
Professor Guy Poppy, Interim Executive Chair at BBSRC, said: "Endemic diseases in the UK livestock sector pose significant challenges to animal welfare, productivity and sustainable farming practices.
"By bringing together the collective expertise of academia, industry and end-users, we are confident this initiative will lead to ground-breaking advancements in disease control, fostering a healthier and more productive livestock sector."
UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: "The UK remains committed to working collaboratively with farmers to overcome infectious animal disease. I welcome the second phase of this exciting research initiative.
"This funding brings together farmers, vets and researchers to develop and test new solutions to some of our most serious animal health challenges on farm, making a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the UK's livestock."
