Animal health: boosting defences and resilience in livestock
Healthy and strong animals are less affected by diseases and require less medication. In WUR studies on livestock systems, preventive care is central, to stimulate resilience in animals. To-gether with entrepreneurs and experts from the business community, among others, we are working on indicators to measure resilience.
Healthy animals are the basis for sustainable livestock farming. However, intensive animal farming involves welfare and health-related risks. WUR therefore focuses on preventive animal health: preventing diseases and problems from arising. We develop preventive strategies that boost animal resilience by combining knowledge on nutrition, housing, breeding, genetics and microbiology.
In doing so, we use precision farming, with smart technology and real-time data, to identify health problems early and optimise management and the living environment. We pay special attention to vulnerable phases, during calving in cows or weaning in piglets, for example. If animals do get ill, we explore how to optimally support recovery and resistance, through nutrition, stress reduction or pen enrichment, for example. We also take into account new challenges such as climate change, heat stress and the shift to circular food systems. In this way, we work together to make livestock farming future-proof.
Discover our expertises
Expertises
Pen enrichment
In humane livestock farming, housing is designed to allow natural behaviour. This allows farm animals to live the best life possible. WUR conducted a lot of research on pen enrichment to improve species-specific behaviour in various animal species. That also prevents damaging behaviour such as feather pecking and tail biting.
Sustainable barn systems
WUR conducts a lot of research on animal welfare and health, greenhouse gas emissions and circular agriculture. Based on this knowledge, we aim to design optimal housing for farm ani-mals and assess its feasibility. Using our Integral Sustainable Design method, we are building a new free-range barn and an emission-free barn at our innovation centres.
Pen enrichment
In humane livestock farming, housing is designed to allow natural behaviour. This allows farm animals to live the best life possible. WUR conducted a lot of research on pen enrichment to improve species-specific behaviour in various animal species. That also prevents damaging behaviour such as feather pecking and tail biting.
Sustainable barn systems
WUR conducts a lot of research on animal welfare and health, greenhouse gas emissions and circular agriculture. Based on this knowledge, we aim to design optimal housing for farm ani-mals and assess its feasibility. Using our Integral Sustainable Design method, we are building a new free-range barn and an emission-free barn at our innovation centres.
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Why partner with WUR
We offer:
- Integration of nutrition, housing, breeding and genetics
- Application of smart technology
- Real-time data
- Close collaboration with the market
Get in touch with our expert
Do you have a question about preventive animal health in livestock farming or opportunities to work with us? Please get in touch.
ir. RJA (Ruud) Duijghuisen
Business Developer
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