The Animal Health and Food Sciences Unit undertakes research and diagnostic testing on endemic, exotic and emerging diseases of livestock to minimise the impacts of pests and diseases. Research is undertaken in veterinary virology, microbiology, molecular biology, parasitology, pathology, and epidemiology for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pig, poultry, honey bee, aquaculture and other animal industries. The research provides the science to develop new recommendations to improve livestock production, enhance welfare and maintain market access for the state’s animal products. Food science in the areas of food safety microbiology, epidemiology and risk analysis, as well as molecular biology and immunology, is carried out for both animal and plant foods. This underpins NSW’s and Australia’s position as a major source of high quality food products on the world market.

NSW DPI scientists also develop new diagnostic tests and vaccines and the innovative science needed to underpin surveillance, prevention, control or eradication strategies for significant terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases and pests, both exotic and endemic. They are involved in control programs for sheep footrot, internal and external parasites and other endemic diseases. They also provide significant animal health inputs to the Pork Industry Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).

Sound science is used to develop management strategies to reduce the risks of human foodborne pathogens and chemical contaminants entering the food processing chain on the farm. Research involves epidemiological surveys of antibiotic resistance and investigates the spread of antibiotic resistance between animal and human bacteria. Tests are developed to identify, validate and reliably detect probiotic bacteria (which help protect against gastro-intestinal illnesses), as well as health-promoting factors and other quality traits in foods.

A major program with the Value Added Wheat CRC is developing silo-side tests for different combinations of gene markers to verify the varieties of wheat being delivered by farmers.

This unit is divided into:

• The Virology team, which is a world class facility providing diagnostic and research services into viral diseases of commercial livestock and wildlife. Research programs have been developed cooperatively with industry to investigate significant diseases in livestock and make recommendations on effective control programs. The major emphasis is on identification of new and emerging viral diseases, development of improved diagnostic tests and vaccine production, and certification testing to facilitate overseas trade.
• The Microbiology team, which provides specialist services for a range of bacterial and mycoplasmal diseases of commercial livestock. Applied research is currently undertaken in the fields of pig respiratory and enteric disease and Johne’s disease. The research is supported by industry and commercial partners to develop improved diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics to support disease control programs and minimise the impact of disease.
• The Parasitology team, which has an international reputation for research into internal and external parasites of sheep, particularly worms, liver fluke, sheep lice and sheep blowflies. Research involves investigations into chemical resistance in both external and internal parasite treatments, more effective use of chemicals and promotion of integrated parasite management to reduce reliance on chemicals.
• The Food Safety and Diagnostics team carries out world class research in the areas of food safety microbiology, epidemiology and risk analysis. Staff help to develop management strategies based on sound science to reduce the risks of human pathogens entering the food processing chain from the farm and reduce the level of antibiotic resistant bacteria in food. The team also provides cutting edge research into honey quality and honeybee health to underpin NSW’s and Australia’s position as a major source of high quality honey on the world market.
• The Immunology and Nutraceuticals team undertakes research involving molecular biology and immunology, as they relate to food products of both animal and plant origin. They also develop tests and processes to identify, validate and reliably detect probiotics, health-promoting factors and other quality traits in foods to increase their functionality.

Key research achievements

• New diagnostic tests for pleuropneumonia and mycoplasma pneumonia in pigs to improve disease control.
• Better understanding of feed conversion efficiency in the pig industry by studying carcase composition and using computer modelling to assess the effect of disease on pig nutrition, growth and carcase composition.
• Collaborative tests with vaccine manufacturers to evaluate existing and new swine erysipelas vaccines.
• Improved diagnostic tests for ovine Johne’s disease and development of options for control using vaccine.
• Development of a rapid and reliable test to detect the presence of sheep lice at shearing, allowing reduction of non-essential dipping to control this parasite.
• Review of current industry practices using organophosphate chemicals to treat sheep lice, with recommendations on more effective, safe and environmentally considerate chemical use.
• Facilitating overseas trade in livestock by providing technical leadership for the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program. This involves improving understanding of the geographical distribution of important viral diseases and developing diagnostic tests.
• Development of vaccines to control pestivirus in cattle – a major cause of reproductive loss through reduced conception, stillbirths and calf abnormalities.
• Improved diagnostic tests to support the Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL) Control Program – a major program to control this important viral disease in dairy cattle.
• Development of tests and management systems for a range of diseases affecting aquatic animals (fish, molluscs and crustaceans) in aquaculture.
• Development of management strategies for effective control of small hive beetles in honey bee hives.
• Reduced use of antibiotics in the pig industry by developing alternative strategies, such as Lawsonia vaccines and probiotics, to improve enteric health and feed conversion efficiency.
  Promoting healthy and safe industries through better understanding of the epidemiology of food-borne pathogens.

Key research infrastructure

The Animal Health and Food Sciences Unit works mainly from state-of-the-art biotechnology and veterinary laboratory facilities at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) at Menangle. There are also strong links with NSW DPI facilities in Wollongbar, Orange and Armidale, as well as with field veterinarians, both private and industry.

Key research collaborations

The Animal Health and Food Sciences Unit collaborates extensively with industry, through funding bodies co-investing in projects, and cooperatively with other research organisations on specific projects.

Research funders: Rural Industries R&D (research and development) Corporation; Meat and Livestock Australia; Australian Wool Innovation; Australian Pork Ltd; Dairy Australia; Pork CRC; Value Added Wheat CRC; Australian Research Council; McGarvie Smith Institute; Commonwealth Dept of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Biosecurity Australia; National Health and Medical Research Council.
University and other R&D providers: Universities of Sydney, Wollongong, Macquarie, UTS, NSW, New England, Queensland, Australian National University, Murdoch, Monash, Melbourne, James Cook and Tasmania; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; other state, territory and Commonwealth departments of primary industries; and the Australian Wildlife Health Network.
International: Universities of Guelph (Canada), Berne (Switzerland), Louisiana, Iowa, Connecticut, Washington and USDA (USA), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (New Zealand) and ACIAR (Thailand and Indonesia)

Key publications

 Animal Health and Food Sciences Unit publications 2005-2006 (59kb)

Scientists

Find a list of Animal Health and Food Science scientists.

Contacts