Novel wound treatment strategies for dehorning of cattle

Summary

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This project aims to improve the welfare and production of beef cattle following the procedure of dehorning through wound treatment options that ameliorate haemorrhage, infection and pain, and improve healing. 

Supervisor

Dr Sabrina Helena Lomax.

Synopsis

Amputation dehorning of beef cattle is a common practice in Australia and will continue to be used as a management procedure until the entire beef herd is polled, which could take many years. Dehorning of cattle causes significant pain and distress and often results in large, open wounds that can take up to 14 weeks to heal, and in extreme cases animals may die from dehorning. Some current treatment options fail to adequately ameliorate the pain associated with dehorning, and do not address the excessive haemorrhage, infection and flystrike that often occurs post-operatively. It is a priority to refine dehorning procedures in the short to medium term to improve animal welfare and consequently reduce the major economic impacts and social license risks that current standards pose to the Australian beef industry.

We will take a stepwise approach to this project, firstly evaluating existing industry methods for treating dehorning wounds, then developing novel wound treatment strategies to address current gaps. Initial development and ‘proof of concept’ studies will be conducted with stepwise methodology, then scaling up through industry partners to evaluate efficacy, practicality and impact of the wound treatment(s). 

Additional information

This project will commence in the second half of 2022. There is a 3 year student scholarship associated with this project that is yet to be advertised formally.

The fieldwork for this research project will be conducted with external collaborating beef cattle producers, mainly in northern Australia. Therefore the research student can be based remotely if that is preferable. The research student must have experience working with cattle, and existing connections within Australia's beef industry will be highly valued. The research student must hold a current Australian driver's license and be willing to travel by air and road to cattle properties, often in remote locations. 

HDR Inherent Requirements

In addition to the academic requirements set out in the Science Postgraduate Handbook, you may be required to satisfy a number of inherent requirements to complete this degree. Example of inherent requirement may include:

• Confidential disclosure and registration of a disability that may hinder your performance in your degree;
• Confidential disclosure of a pre-existing or current medical condition that may hinder your performance in your degree (e.g. heart disease, pace-maker, significant immune suppression, diabetes, vertigo, etc.);
• Ability to perform independently and/or with minimal supervision;
• Ability to undertake certain physical tasks (e.g. heavy lifting);
• Ability to undertake observatory, sensory and communication tasks;
• Ability to spend time at remote sites (e.g. One Tree Island, Narrabri and Camden);
• Ability to work in confined spaces or at heights;
• Ability to operate heavy machinery (e.g. farming equipment);
• Hold or acquire an Australian driver’s licence;
• Hold a current scuba diving licence;
• Hold a current Working with Children Check;
• Meet initial and ongoing immunisation requirements (e.g. Q-Fever, Vaccinia virus, Hepatitis, etc.)

You must consult with your nominated supervisor regarding any identified inherent requirements before completing your application.

 Please contact A/Prof Peter White (p.white@sydney.edu.au) or Dr Sabrina Lomax (sabrina.lomax@sydney.edu.au) for futher info.

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Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 3017