Research into infectious diseases in cattle boosted through Plowright Prize funding

As the end-of-March deadline for nominations for the 2024 Plowright Prize draws closer, we hear how a previous winner of the prize – awarded biennially by RCVS Knowledge – used the £75,000 funding to boost his research into infectious diseases in cattle herds. 

The recipient of the 2022 Plowright Prize, University of Calgary professor Dr Herman Barkema (pictured left), has put the £75,000 prize towards further research into infectious diseases in animals.

The funding has gone towards the ongoing Cattle Health Surveillance System (CHeSS) project, which focuses on monitoring and controlling major infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance in dairy cattle in Western Canada, specifically in the state of Alberta.

Speaking of the award funding, Herman said, “The financial support provided the necessary resources for comprehensive data collection, laboratory analyses, and funding key human resources working on the project. The impact of this work extends beyond academic realms, positively affecting the health and well-being of cattle populations in Canada and beyond.”

“I express my sincere gratitude to RCVS Knowledge for this award and the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of veterinary science. I remain committed to furthering our understanding of infectious diseases, and the Plowright Prize has played a pivotal role in realizing these objectives.”

Over the past year, Herman and his team initiated a surveillance of various pathogens in Alberta dairy herds, including Johne’s disease, bovine leukaemia virus (BLV), Neospora caninum, Salmonella Dublin and contagious mastitis pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus. 

They achieved this by collecting bulk tank milk samples from all dairy herds across Alberta four times during 2022. A manuscript, which is to be submitted to the Journal of Diary Science, is almost complete.

“The support received through the Plowright Prize has significantly contributed to advancing our efforts in understanding epidemiology to control infectious diseases affecting dairy cattle,” said Herman.

For the next stage of the project, Herman plans to identify herd and animal-level risk factors for infectious diseases. A survey will then be conducted to understand adoption and decision factors regarding selective treatment of clinical mastitis on Canadian dairy farms. 

“The overall goal is to enhance adoption of selective treatment protocol for clinical mastitis to reduce antimicrobial usage at dairy farms.”

“The Plowright Prize award has mainly been used to fund a graduate student working on the CHeSS project, including stipend and capacity building in the form of short trainings and workshops, and to cover field logistics for the farm visits to collect data and samples over the last few months. A portion of funds was also used to buy additional ELISA kits used for testing bulk tank milk samples.”

Two research proposals – one on S. Dublin and one on M. bovis – have been submitted for funding based on the results of the first studies. 

RCVS Knowledge are accepting nominations for the 2024 Plowright Prize until 31 March. The Prize recognises an individual working in Europe or the Commonwealth whose work has had a significant impact on the control, management, and eradication of infectious diseases of animals. Learn more about what makes an eligible candidate and how you can nominate someone for the award here.