~~Management of feeding: A new PhD student started work in this  area and has begun two studies: one to understand the causes and development of oral behaviours in growing pigs, gilts and dry sows; and another to study of cull sow stomachs to assess the prevalence of gastric ulcers. Our large longitudinal study of 3000 beef cows on diverse commercial farms has identified how management of cow condition during pregnancy (autumn to spring) varies, and how this influences calf vigour. Knowledge exchange at agricultural shows and other events has been popular with farmers, as we use our model cow backs to discuss pregnancy condition scoring best practice.

Reducing pain: A clamp which reduces lamb castration pain has been refined, and a paper on the impact of using this device has been submitted for publication. This was a proof of concept study and we have approached Defra to fund a new study into its use. A paper on the use of Qualitative Behavioural Assessment in assessing acute pain in castrated lambs has been submitted for publication. An end to beak trimming of laying hens requires alternative ways to reduce feather pecking: two new studies using various enrichments and scratch mats were started at 9 commercial farms. This work is ongoing, although some visits were curtailed by avian influenza. A new PhD student began working on investigating if naturally-occurring beak variation is readily-identifiable in the population, and if it is heritable, in order to select hens with naturally duller beaks to help reduce the damage caused by feather pecking. Her first two studies with a commercial breeding partner are underway.

Management of beef cow body condition: Data are now being analysed to understand the effects on calf welfare, health and productivity of their mother being over or under-weight during pregnancy.  Only a minority of farmers routinely condition score their cows and many lack confidence in scoring. In 2018-19 we secured additional funding to build life-size models of cows at different body condition scores to train farmers. This year we have trained farmers at 7 major agricultural shows across Scotland and Northern England and at a further four Scottish beef industry technical meetings. One-to-one training has been provided to approximately 650 farmers plus vets and other industry specialists. The models have also been used as a student training tool to support long-term improvement of this skill in the industry and at three industry and publicly attended conferences.

Research has led to published papers, reports, magazine articles and newsletters as well as direct engagement with stakeholders. Lamb pain: we engaged with industry on new castration methods, and have begun a study to test one. Rubber ring tail docking of lambs- first time mothers showed a stronger reaction to signs of distress from pain in their lambs than older ewes. Laying hen systems: a study on 42 commercial farms found that multi-tier housed hens are more profitable (farmer gets £0.63 more per bird) but were more at risk of keel bone damage than single-tier housed hens. A report for the industry was published with the British Free Range Egg Producers

Association (BFREPA). Diets for feed-restricted pregnant sows: Providing sows with straw bedding caused some oral behaviours (bar biting, and nosing both the floor and other sows) to be reduced but most were unaffected. Sows fed as their appetites demanded ate double their usual ration, suggesting they are hungry. An article for a farmer’s newsletter was produced highlighting this problem and discussing dietary fibre as a solution, while another article highlighted our recent industry survey showing the diversity of dry sow systems, management and diets in the UK. Feeding Beef suckler cows: we found that maternal condition at mating and in late pregnancy affected both calf weight and calving ease. Body condition scoring of cows on 38 Scottish herds revealed over 30% were too fat, and a concerning number were too thin. We spoke at 4 farmer meetings on the importance of correct feeding during pregnancy.