Animal Science

Research disciplines include nutrition and metabolism, microbiology, immunology, reproductive physiology, genetics and genomics, meat quality, and ethology to support optimal health and production efficiency in domestic animal species.

Research Areas:

Ethology & Welfare
Using behavioural assessment and technology to understand and maximize the health and wellbeing of livestock species.
Team: Clover Bench

Feeds, Nutrition & Metabolism
Evaluating feed ingredients, precision feeding systems, nutrient digestion and metabolism leading to improved production efficiency, and health, supporting improved meat, egg and dairy products.
Team: Doug Korver, Anne Laarman, Masahito Oba, Gleise Silva, Ben Willing, Ruurd Zijlstra, Martin Zuidhof, Valerie Carney

Genetics and Genomics
Studying genes and gene regulation to support economically important traits to improve production efficiency, carcass characteristics, health, welfare and environmental sustainability.
Team: Michael Dyck, Carolyn Fitzsimmons, Anne Laarman, Changxi Li,  Gleise Silva, Paul Stothard, Ben Willing, John Basarab.

Microbiology, Immunology & Health
Studying major livestock diseases and the effect of diet, environment and management on microbiological and immunological health.
Team: Burim Ametaj, Dan Barreda, Doug Korver, Anne Laarman, Richard Uwiera, Ben Willing.

Reproductive Physiology & Management
Understanding mechanisms controlling reproduction with application to issues of importance to the livestock industry such as improved reproductive efficiency.
Team: Michael Dyck, Carolyn Fitzsimmons, Martin Zuidhof