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Dairy-cow herds in the UK and overseas, together with the dairy farming industry, are benefiting from strategic animal-husbandry changes and lameness-control programmes underpinned by research undertaken at the University of Bristol since 1997. The dissemination by the UK Dairy Levy Board of national Standardised Lameness Scores (the DairyCo Mobility Scoring system, launched in 2008) and of Husbandry Advisory Tools (the DairyCo Healthy Feet Programme, launched in 2011) was a direct result of Bristol's work. It has led to the widespread adoption of lameness scoring as a farm-management tool, the inclusion of lameness assessment within certification schemes and a nationwide network of trained `mobility mentors'. Where implemented, this advisory support has resulted in a significant drop in lameness prevalence, thereby improving welfare and reducing the economic losses associated with treating and culling lame cows. Successful engagement with industry groups throughout the research process has ensured that scientific outputs have been rapidly implemented within the farming community. This approach has been adopted internationally with the scoring system being used by Europe's largest dairy company and a modified version is also being promoted by the New Zealand dairy industry.
Veterinarians have long recognised health problems associated with in-breeding and extreme conformation in various pedigree dogs. However, the `Pedigree Dogs Exposed' documentary in 2008, which particularly featured the plight of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS), and resultant independent inquiry reports, to which RVC contributed, brought the extent and severity of the issue into the public eye. RVC's ongoing programme of research linked to interaction with stakeholders has contributed to the changes in breed standards instituted by the Kennel Club (KC); understanding of underlying principles governing the relationship between structure and function and affecting desired traits; developing tools to address conformation-related health problems; and driving changes in breeding practice leading to healthier dogs.
Research conducted at the University of Bristol between 2003 and 2012 on the ecology, epidemiology and control of parasitic flies and worms has improved animal health and welfare in the UK and is addressing a major constraint on global food production — animal disease, particularly in the context of climate change. These are some of the impacts:
Interdisciplinary research at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has provided core evidence on which global efforts are based in order to eradicate one of the most economically damaging diseases of the cattle industry. The research findings have helped steer national programmes to eradicate Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) across Europe, South Asia and Australasia, reducing economic losses. Professor Joe Brownlie has additionally led pilot programmes in the UK, providing data for a national scheme, campaigned widely to highlight the issue and secured farming industry awareness and support through media exposure.
Research undertaken at Strathclyde during 2006-2009 produced a decision support platform combining artificial intelligence with low power wireless sensor technology, which was capable of alerting farm staff to animal conditions requiring human intervention. ETS Ltd, a privately owned University Spin-out company was founded in 2009 to develop and market the new technology, and now employs 7 full time staff. Since 2010 more than 250 farms in the UK and Europe have adopted the technology, enabling them to reduce operating costs, maximise milk revenue, with an estimated increase of £10k per 100 cows per annum. The new technology has also improved the performance of other existing businesses and has helped retain jobs in the supply chain in Scotland.
The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for their pain-relieving properties in cattle medicine has lagged behind that of other species (e.g. companion animals) where analgesic use is now routine. University of Nottingham (UoN) research exploring the attitudes of vets and farmers to the use of NSAIDs in cattle, and subsequent marketing by Boehringer Ingelheim, a multinational pharmaceutical company, has led to a substantial increase in analgesic use. UoN research increased sales for Boehringer Ingelheim and almost doubled the UK market value of NSAIDs for use in cattle. With administration of up to 2 million additional doses per year, the research had clear benefits for animal welfare.
Since 1998 the University of Leeds has developed the Leeds Foot and Ankle STudies in Rheumatology (FASTER) programme — to drive improvements in UK musculoskeletal foot care services. Results from FASTER clinical trials and a national survey of podiatry services directly informed NICE guidelines on foot care in arthritis. FASTER's research also provided key evidence for a national consensus on standards of care and aided a shift in the treatment paradigm for foot care in arthritis patients. These standards and NICE recommendations are included in the latest Royal College of GPs curriculum. They have also informed government policies on commissioning for podiatry services throughout England. Since the inception of the FASTER programme independent reports suggest that access to foot health services for people with rheumatoid arthritis has increased from less than 50% immediately prior to FASTER, to nearly 80% of patients today.
The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire is a clinical and research tool, which has fundamentally shifted dermatology from being doctor-centred to patient-centred. Previously, no standard method to quantify the impact of skin disease on patients existed. The DLQI was created by interviewing people with skin disease and made clinically useful through development and validation of score bands. NICE/SIGN require UK dermatologists to use the DLQI when assessing severe psoriasis and hand eczema. DLQI is used in national psoriasis guidelines in 14 countries, is available in 91 language translations, has been used in 678 clinical research studies and generated £881,236 in royalties to Cardiff University.
A research programme of multi-centre clinical trials led by Professor Suzanne Hagen has established Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) as an effective treatment for women with prolapse. Hagen's team has also successfully developed a Prolapse Symptom Scale and further tested a Prolapse Staging System to improve outcome measurement for women's health physiotherapists in the UK (20% and 15% clinical uptake respectively). The research has informed local, national and international guidelines and changed practice in 48% of UK physiotherapists. The research has also raised awareness of PFMT treatment for prolapse, with 70% of UK physiotherapists reporting an increase in prolapse referrals.
Impact: Economic / animal health and welfare: Established health schemes to control Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) on Scottish farms and subsequently underpinned the rationale for cost-effective control strategies that have been adopted in health schemes around the UK. The farm-level savings to the industry from future eradication are estimated by Scottish Government to be £50- £80m.
Significance: BVD is a major endemic disease of cattle in Scotland costing the dairy industry about £38M per year and an additional £11M to consumers.
Beneficiaries: Farmers, cattle, animal health authorities.
Attribution: Professors Gunn and Stott (SRUC).
Reach: The associated health schemes began in Scotland (HI Health) and now operate throughout Britain (UK CHeCS (Cattle Health Certification Standards) Health Scheme). The research underpins BVD control schemes in Ireland and other EU Member States resulting in an avoided output loss of between €500 to €4,000 per dairy farm per year.