Benchmarking of UK dairy Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

Annual studies (since 2010) of production, fertility and health parameters in 500 UK dairy herds that milk record with National Mil Records (NMR). Originally designed to provide current target values for InterHerd+ users, these studies now also provide clear indications of changes in performance over time across the UK national dairy herd.

Benchmarking and controlling Johne’s Disease across UK dairy herds (2021)

Analysis of Johne’s test data across 253 milk recording herds resulted in a series of parameters that describe the disease and its key drivers in dairy herds.

These findings were supplied to milk recording organisations, as well as InterHerd+, as Johne’s Tracker, allowing managers and advisors of dairy herds to understand how a herd is performing with respect to the disease and on progress towards its control.

This benchmarking tool enables more informed planning and monitoring of JD control strategies and also has the potential to provide a broad overview of trends in Johne’s disease in the dairy sector.

Freezing Point Depression of raw milk in the UK:

Freezing point depression (FPD) is used as an indicator of possible addition (accidental or intentional) of ‘extraneous water’ to milk. Analysis of 10+ years’ routine bulk tank milk sample data demonstrated a continuing long-term downwards trend in FPD resulting in a proposal for a revised industry FPD standard which has been agreed by dairy industry bodies in 2021.

Bulk milk tank sampling for livestock disease surveillance (Kosovo):

Testing the value of bulk milk tank samples to detect cows infected with Brucellosis, Enzootic Bovine Leucosis and bovine tuberculosis in Kosovo.

Rabies Control (Kosovo):

Study of a rabies control programme in Kosovo, including spring and autumn biannual oral vaccination campaigns, targeting foxes using baits distributed by air. Seasonal variation in bait uptake and seropositivity during a multi-year biannual oral rabies fox vaccination programme in Kosovo (2010–2015).
The main finding of high levels of bait uptake and seroprevalence through winter, following the autumn campaigns, declining through summer despite the implementation of spring campaigns, supports previously suggested advice that countries lacking financial resources to support biannual campaigns should focus resources on once per year vaccination in late autumn or early winter.

Rabies (UK): Veterinary risk assessment of the introduction of rabies into the United Kingdom:

Risk pathways for rabies to enter UK via an imported animal, together with factors affecting the risk, and control points along the risk pathway were studied. Results were presented to DEFRA to assist policy making on rabies control for UK.

Bluetongue (Kosovo): Entomological research on the vectors of bluetongue disease

Following outbreaks of bluetongue (BT) in sheep and cattle in Kosovo which appeared to persist from one year to another, Culicoides vectors for BT were collected, using an entomological screening system based on the permanent use of light traps to monitor their seasonal activity. There was no evidence to support the proposal that the persistence of BTV from one year to the next might be explicable by continuing vector activity during the Balkan winter.

Modelling: economic effects of different foot and mouth disease strategies in the UK (2002):

A modelling study for DEFRA to assess and compare the benefits and costs associated with the operation of a 20-day and a 6-day animal movement standstill regime following an outbreak. Benefits were based on the expected (or average) reduction in the extent and costs of possible future outbreaks. The annual costs to the livestock industry of operating under the standstill regime were based on field surveys. The results of the study indicated that a 6-day standstill gave higher benefit/cost ratios in all cases.

Wildlife monitoring using camera traps (Kosovo):

A study in Kosovo involving red foxes, wild boar, brown bears and other wild mammals to determine the distribution and density of wild mammals to support the implementation of wildlife and livestock disease management strategies.  Particularly focussed on the red fox and the grey wolf as potential vectors of rabies and wild boar as a vector of Classical Swine Fever and African Swine Fever. These three species were found to be present at the majority of study sites at relatively high densities. The camera survey also provided information on species of conservation concern such as the Eurasian brown bear and European wildcat, and provided the first physical evidence of a live Eurasian golden jackal in Kosovo.

Training and workshops:

Through the Veterinary Epidemiology & Economics Research Unit at Reading we can conduct bespoke course and training on a wide range of topics.

• Control of transboundary disease.
• Veterinary epidemiology & disease control.
• Animal health economics.
• Animal disease surveillance.
• Policy and capacity building for animal health.
• Livestock information.

Examples of workshops organised for FAO.

• Live bird market surveillance.
• Risk analysis along value chains.

Training and worshops organised for the FAO:

• Training on live bird market surveillance for poultry diseases;
• e-learning module for surveillance in Live Bird Markets Two regional workshops for West and Central Africa on risk analysis along value chains, with focus on priority zoonotic diseases (delivered in Ghana).

Selected publications before 2020

• Archer, M., Gadanakis, Y., Hanks, J. and Taylor, N. 2019. An analysis of recovery probability from high somatic cell counts in UK dairy cows. Veterinary Evidence. https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v4i4.205
• Hanks, J. D., Taylor, N. M., Kossaibati, M. A. 2013. Is targeted milk sampling an effective means of detecting Johne’s disease in dairy herds? Cattle Practice. 22:26-34.
• Hanks, J. D., Taylor, N. M. 2011. Benchmarking and setting intervention targets for key cell count parameters. Livestock. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-3870.2011.00093.x
• Taylor, N., Rushton, J. 2011. A value chain approach to animal diseases risk management – Technical foundations and practical framework for field application. Animal Production and Health Guidelines. No. 4. FAO, Rome. ISBN 978-92-5-106861-8. http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/i2198e/i2198e00.pdf
• Tena-Martínez, M. J., Val-Arreola, D., Hanks, J. D., Taylor, N. M. 2009. The use of early lactation milk protein content to predict subsequent fertility performance and likelihood of culling, in commercial dairy cows. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences. https://doi.org/10.22358/jafs/66384/2009
• Taylor, N. 2003. Review of the use of models in informing disease control policy development and adjustment. A report to DEFRA. pp 98. https://panlivestock.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/UseofModelsinDiseaseControlPolicy.pdf

Please click HERE to view selected publications from 2020