Veterinary Science

Rachel Tan

Adjunct Senior Lecturer
rachel.tan@jcu.edu.au

Jim Taylor

Adjunct Associate Professor
jim.taylor@jcu.edu.au

Cadhla Firth

Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
cadhla.firth@jcu.edu.au

Severine Navarro

Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
severine.navarro@jcu.edu.au

Yukari Miyake

Adjunct Associate Professor
yukari.miyake@jcu.edu.au

John Cavalieri

Head, Veterinary Sciences
john.cavalieri@jcu.edu.au

Sarah-Jane Wilson

Casual Clinical Coordinator
sarahjane.wilson@jcu.edu.au

Effect of pre-calving supplementation and yeast culture on colostrun secretion, calf health and growth (Old ID 26323)

John Cavalieri

15 Nov 2018 - 15 Apr 2019

It is estimated that one million calves die in Australia every year. Between mid-pregnancy and weaning, two-thirds of losses occur within a week of birth. Cows can take several days to achieve full lactation, leaving their calves vulnerable to dehydrate and die when environmental conditions are hot. Poor nutrition during late pregancy may cause hormonal imbalances and inadequate production of colostrum resulting in inadequate transfer of passive immunity to calves and increase calf loss. It is expected that supplemented cows will have better transfer of immunoglobulins to the mammary gland, leading to greater colustrum secretion and quality improving calf health.

Intensive Breeding Potential of Redclaw Crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus: Evaluation and Improvements of Egg and Embryo Quality, and In Vitro Fertilization Perspectives (Old ID 27486)

John Cavalieri

07 Feb 2022 - 31 Dec 2023

The commercial expansion of redclaw is hampered by suboptimal methods used to produce fertilised eggs, asynchronous hatching, and mortalities of juveniles. This project seeks to characterise female broodstock fertility and improve hatchery productivity by developing tools to assess egg and embryo quality, induce gonadal maturation and egg release using dietary supplementation and hormonal treatments and by establishing artificial fertilization techniques. The study outcomes include validation of tools to select for egg quality and to develop strategies to facilitate synchronised spawning of redclaw within hatcheries to enhance reproductive performance and facilitate intensification of production.

An evaluation of the chemical composition and invitro methane production of novel legumes and a plant bi-product

John Cavalieri

01 Jul 2024 - 31 Dec 2025

Our proposed research aims to explore novel tropical plants, with a particular focus on legumes, and their in vitro fermentability, methane production, and chemical composition. Through the evaluation of various leguminous pasture plants and plant products, our goal is to pinpoint those with the potential to mitigate methane production in northern livestock. This preliminary investigation will position us favourably to pursue larger, more comprehensive grant opportunities through Australian Government and industry funding bodies. The project will produce impactful publications and scientific insights into in vitro research, and the nutritional profiles of investigated legumes and plant products. With global warming and greenhouse gas emissions at the forefront for both government and industry priorities, ongoing interest in research within these fields guarantees continued opportunities for larger project calls and the expansion of related research capacity at JCU.

Intensification of the redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) industry: the importance of sperm quality and male fertility to productivity. (Old ID 27082)

John Cavalieri

14 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2024

Expansion of the redclaw aquaculture industry is limited by suboptimal methods to produce fertilized eggs and craylings for pond production. Improvement of reproductive efficiency is dependent on several factors as well as understanding the underlying causes of subfertility. This project seeks to develop advanced reproductive technologies to characterise sperm quality; establish optimal diets; and develop artificial fertilization and sperm cryopreservation techniques for superior male broodstock to accelerate selective breeding.

Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (TNQ Hub)

John Cavalieri

16 Jun 2021 - 30 Jun 2027

This project will establish, implement and manage the TNQHub (“Hub”) activities including collaborative research, development, extension, adoption and commercialisation (RDEA&C). The Hub will help Australian farmers and communities become more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought. The objective is to invest in RDEA&C activities, which involves: - Cross-sectoral innovative and transformative RDEA&C - Focus on the needs of end users, involving them in the co-design and adoption phases of research and development - Delivery of effective communication of new and existing knowledge and technologies - Co-investment in national drought resilience RDEA&C priorities with collaboration and co-design between governments, primary producers, community groups, research and training provider

Induction of gonadal maturation and egg release using hormones in redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) to facilitate intensive breeding for commercial juvenile production (Old ID 27423)

John Cavalieri

17 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2023

The commercial expansion of redclaw is hampered by suboptimal methods used to produce fertilised eggs, asynchronous hatching, and mortalities of juveniles that suggest broodstock fertility and nutrition need improvement. The proposed project will investigate induction of gonadal maturation and spawning using hormones in female redclaw. The outcomes of the study are validation and development of strategies to facilitate synchronised mating and spawning of redclaw within hatcheries in preventing suboptimal reproductive performance of redclaw in hatcheries. The established knowledge will help in understanding the hormone induced endocrine control of decapods and facilitate the development of artificial reproduction in intensively managed hatcheries.

Chemical sterilisation as an alternative to spaying of heifers (Old ID 20448)

John Cavalieri

30 Jun 2013 - 30 Jul 2016

Beef cattle that are excess to breeding requirements are routinely sterilised surgically without the use of pain relief or anaesthesia. Mortalities are not uncommon. The aim of this project is to determine if intraovarian administration of a zinc based compound or calcium chloride can sterilise heifers. If treatment is successful it could provide an alternative method of sterilisation that could provide better welfare outcomes and improve productivity.