LA (Lara) van Veen MSc

LA (Lara) van Veen MSc

Promovendus, Externe medewerker

Lara van Veen received her Bachelor in Biology and her Master degree in Biology and Animal Sciences at Wageningen University & Research in respectively 2017 and 2020. During her studies she developed an interest for animal (intestinal) health and disease, with the focus on animals in intensive farming systems. As of February 2021 she started working as a researcher for Vencomatic Group, a company specialised in creating sustainable and poultry-friendly housing. In collaboration with the Adaptation Physiology Group of Wageningen University, she started her PhD project on monitoring predictive indicators of stressors under the supervision of Dr. Henry van den Brand and Dr. Anne van den Oever.

The project follows the innovation track towards a sustainable primary production using digital tools to monitor animal-based indicators of health and welfare and support daily farm management. The goal is to achieve a high level of animal welfare and health, optimal productive performance, high control on food safety and economic stability for the farmer. Due to the ongoing intensification of the Dutch laying hen industry and the transition towards cage-free housing systems, the assessment of health and welfare of the layer flock by farmers requires more time, expertise and skills. Variability in income between Dutch poultry farmers is high. To support the senses of the farmers, an integrative monitoring tool will be developed to detect indicators of suboptimal health and welfare in an early stage. State-of-the art sensor technologies should collect real-time olfactory, auditory and visual data as predictive indicator of animal health and welfare. Multisensory data is integrated into one platform together with data on water and feed intake, climate conditions and egg data. Patterns in multisensory data are recognized with algorithms based on ‘machine learning’ techniques. Early detection of irregularities in welfare and health will support farmers in their daily farm management. This research will combine small scale experiments with tests in commercial settings.