Easing the pain in the beef industry
Easing the pain in the beef industry - Beef CRC - Beef Genetic Technologies
| 15 October 2008 |
 A Beef CRC student, based at CSIRO Livestock Industries in Rockhampton, has received national recognition for research which could have massive benefits for the northern cattle industry.Stephanie Sinclair received the Australian Agricultural Industries Young Innovators and Scientists – Animal Welfare Strategy Award, at a gala ceremony in Canberra last night (14 October 2008). Studying through the University of Queensland, Ms Sinclair is investigating the benefits of a topical anaesthetic and antiseptic for pain relief in northern beef cattle during dehorning. “Beef cattle producers take the welfare of their animals very seriously. But dehorning is done to help prevent injury to handlers and other cattle particularly while they are held in yards,” Ms Sinclair said. “Ultimately we may be able to breed cattle without horns, but in the interim, dehorning will remain necessary.” Ms Sinclair said she wants to determine whether dehorning can be practiced in conjunction with pain relief medication. But she added industry needs to be convinced that this is both feasible and cost-effective. Stephanie is supervised by Dr Kishore Prayaga (CSIRO), Dr Carol Petherick (QDPI&F) and Professors Michael McGowan and Clive Phillips (University of Queensland). Ms Sinclair was one of 14 young Australians aged between 18 and 35 to receive a $20,000 grant, which she said will allow her to research other pain-relief alternatives. |
 “Tri-solven, for example, has been successfully trialed in sheep, reducing pain-related behaviour and improved wound healing after procedures such as mulesing, tail-docking and castration,” she said.“I plan to determine if Tri-solven alone, or in combination with other pain relief methods, can reduce pain and blood loss after dehorning. The fact that Tri-solven can be applied at the time of surgery makes it a practical option which is more likely to be embraced by industry.” Stephanie said it is important cattle producers understand the impacts of dehorning so they can satisfy the concerns from animal welfare groups and the wider community, as well as get on with the demanding job of raising beef cattle. “Meeting concerns about animal welfare is not only the right thing to do but it will also enhance consumer confidence here and overseas.” The Australian Agricultural Industries Young Innovators and Scientists Awards support young people to pursue their innovative scientific ideas that will develop long term benefits to Australia's rural industries. |
| For further information, contact Alison Buchanan, Communications Manager, (02) 6773 3795 or 0439 405 077 |
