“Heat and cold stress in large herbivores in nature areas and grazing cattle”
This project is a collaboration between the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Ghent University and Catholic University of Leuven. This doctoral fellowship is available to university graduates in order to perform research with the aim of obtaining a doctorate under the supervision of Professor F. Ödberg (Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ghent Univ.), Dr. F. Tuyttens (ILVO-Animal Sciences) and Professor R. Geers (KU Leuven). The practical research will mostly take place at ILVO (Animal Sciences Unit, Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare research area). This doctoral fellowship is free of income tax but it is covered by Belgian social security. Because of this, ILVO is appointed the “employer” for social security purposes.
This research aims to gain insight into the influence of weather circumstances on cattle and large grazers held outside and the possible negative effects on animal welfare and production results.
Description of the project:
1. Use of artificial shelters by large grazers in nature areas (years 1-3)
Aims: - To quantify the influence of weather conditions and type of animal on use of diverse shelters for aversive weather conditions by large grazers.
- To test the preference of large grazers for different types of shelter depending on weather conditions, type of animal, and habitat (availability of natural shelter possibilities).
- To evaluate the effect of natural shelter possibilities versus artificial shelters on the microclimate.
2. Effect of tree shadow on the welfare and productivity of dairy and suckler cows (years 1-3)
Aims: - To document dairy and suckler cows’ use of a tree-shaded area in relation to weather circumstances during pasturing.
- To evaluate the effect on dairy and suckler cows’ access to, or lack of access to, a shaded area during pasturing.
- To calculate the loss of profit per animal of having no access to tree shadow during pasturing.
- To evaluate and compare the effect of tree shadow on the microclimate during periods with a chance of heat stress during pasturing.
- To determine the effect of tree shadow on grass production and composition.
3. Preference of cows for various types of shelter (year 3-4)
Aims: - To evaluate and compare the effect of three types of shelter for heat stress on the microclimate.
- To quantify the influence of weather conditions and characteristics of the animal (e.g. stage of lactation, level of production, color of coat, age, body condition) on use of various types of shelter in a herd of dairy and suckler cows.
- To test the preference of individual dairy and suckler cows for various types of shelter depending on the weather conditions and characteristics of the animal.
- To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various types of natural and artificial shelter for heat stress in pasturing cattle (based on both literature review and the results of this research).
During the first three years you will spread your time over the first two sub-projects. For subproject 1, one animal per herd (5 herds per year) participating in grazing projects in Flemish nature preserves will be fitted with a GPS sender to automatically follow their position and plot it on digital GIS maps. These herds have access to two different types of shelter for adverse weather conditions. On the basis of the climate data collected from a mobile weather station, relevant climate indices will be calculated such as the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) and the Heat Load Index (HLI). Association between use of the shelters and these climate indices will be tested statistically.
Subproject 2 will take place at ILVO-Animal Sciences’ experimental farm, where the dairy and suckler cow herds will be split into two treatments: with or without access to a zone with tree shadow during pasturing. Microclimatological data will be collected during two consecutive pasturing seasons in order to calculate relevant climate indices. The effect of the experimental treatment on production and animal welfare will be evaluated. Further, associations between use of the shaded area and these climate indices will be statistically examined, including the influence of the characteristics of the animal (such as stage of lactation, etc.). Additional microclimatological measurements will be performed in the shaded area to determine the effectiveness of the shelter for heat stress and to compare it with other types of shelter.
Subproject 3 takes place in the last year of the doctoral study. This subproject will examine the herd for individual preference based on free choice of several types of shelter.
In addition to the research this doctoral researcher will engage in the following tasks:
- You will follow related scientific developments in order to integrate them in the research assignment.
- You will work together with, and discuss your project with, researchers inside and outside ILVO.
- You discuss, get information from, and collaborate with relevant actors from the larger sector in order to successfully complete your project and translate questions to policy-supportive research.
- You will write reports (in French or Dutch), publications (in English) and a doctoral thesis (in English).
- You will participate in and organise workshops, study days and demonstrations.
- You will participate in international scientific congresses.
- You can work independently within a scientific team.
- You participate actively in service provision and advice-related activities.
After being offered the doctoral fellowship, the candidate must immediately register him- or herself as doctoral student and fulfill the necessary administrative requirements.
Your profile:
Diploma:
- You have a master’s degree in a related field (for example, veterinary science, bio-engineering, or biology).
Technical competence:
- You have an affinity for cattle husbandry.
- You have interest in, and at least a notion of, physiology, behaviour and evaluation of the welfare and health of cattle.
- You have knowledge of experimental planning and statistical evaluation of experimental results.
- You have knowledge of, and experience with, information technology and data management.
- You consciously support management, you communicate well and you are committed to your work.
- You have sufficient knowledge of English and Dutch (or French).
- You are team-minded and a networker.
- You are interested in nature management, particularly grazing projects in nature preserves.
- You are certified in experimental animal management, or you agree to work to achieve this certification during the first year of the project.
Applications (cover letter and curriculum vitae) must be sent at the latest on 19 August 2010 to Prof. Dr. ir. Bart Sonck, Animal Sciences Unit Head, ILVO, Scheldeweg 68, 9090 Melle, Belgium.
Selection will be performed by a specially-appointed jury. The selection will be based on an oral interview designed to test the candidate’s understanding of the relevant information.
The expected start date is 1 October 2010.
General requirements and rules for ILVO doctoral grants
All candidates eligible for their first fellowship must meet the following criteria:
1. Possess a basic university degree of the 2nd cycle, relevant to the project for which he or she is applying, obtained at least with distinction (or the equivalent). Candidates from the last year of the second cycle must provide proof of having passed the next-to-last year. They must, at the time of starting their fellowship, possess the appropriate diploma, received with distinction.
2. Must have received their first 2nd cycle diploma no more than 5 years ago and furthermore be a member of the European Union.
3. Must behave impeccably.
4. Before starting their doctoral research, must have performed no more than a total of 365 days of work for ILVO under a contract for scientific personnel.
ILVO examines the completeness and the conformity of the applications in light of the conditions of the allotment.
The research fellowship can only be made undone by either causes outside of one’s control or by mutual agreement. Any occurrence outside of one’s control that causes interruption of the fellowship must immediately be brought to the attention of ILVO’s Executive Director, who will decide how to change the mode of allotment of the fellowship.
The net amount of the fellowship grant is equivalent to 100% of the net amount of the wages paid by scientific staff (with the same family composition) paid by ILVO’s Own Capital, including vacation subsidies and end-of-year bonus, and is paid in monthly installments. Supplementation of the doctoral fellowship with other work activities, work benefits or assignments, and other sources of work-related income is not allowed. Possible exceptions must be presented to ILVO and will be judged on their impact on the fiscal exempt status of the fellowship grant. Normally no part-time fellowships are granted. Exceptions to this general rule may be allowed by ILVO in cases of parental leave or suspension.
It is required that the doctoral student follows doctoral studies according to the rules of the university; the supervisors jointly set the doctoral programme. The doctoral fellow is not allowed to take classes or perform experiments in order to get a master’s or bachelor’s degree.
The doctoral student agrees to limit his or her work during the entire period of the fellowship (2 times 2 years with an interim evaluation) exclusively to the programme for which the fellowship has been granted. The fellowship can be rescinded at any time if the doctoral student no longer meets the conditions of allotment of the research fellowship. The fellowship grant is put on hold in cases of extended illness (after the 31st calendar day), maternity leave or parental leave, and under the same conditions as the term of the suspension, can be extended after the last date of the allotment’s term.
The agreement between ILVO and the doctoral fellow is drawn up at the start of the fellowship. The arrangements for leave, payment of work-related costs and work-related insurance are identical to those for personnel of ILVO’s Own Capital. The doctoral fellow is subject to ILVO’s rules, regulations and requirements.
Want to know more?
For more information about the content of this position, contact:
Dr. ir. Frank Tuyttens, researcher
ILVO – Animal Sciences Unit
Scheldeweg 68, 9090 Melle
Tel. 09/272 26 05 - GSM: 0484 97 95 48 - E-mail: frank.tuyttens@ilvo.vlaanderen.be
or
Prof. Dr. ir. Daniël De Brabander, Scientific Director
ILVO – Animal Sciences Unit
Scheldeweg 68, 9090 Melle
Tel. 09/272 25 84 - E-mail: daniel.debrabander@ilvo.vlaanderen.be
This project is a collaboration between the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Ghent University and Catholic University of Leuven. This doctoral fellowship is available to university graduates in order to perform research with the aim of obtaining a doctorate under the supervision of Professor F. Ödberg (Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ghent Univ.), Dr. F. Tuyttens (ILVO-Animal Sciences) and Professor R. Geers (KU Leuven). The practical research will mostly take place at ILVO (Animal Sciences Unit, Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare research area). This doctoral fellowship is free of income tax but it is covered by Belgian social security. Because of this, ILVO is appointed the “employer” for social security purposes.
This research aims to gain insight into the influence of weather circumstances on cattle and large grazers held outside and the possible negative effects on animal welfare and production results.
Description of the project:
1. Use of artificial shelters by large grazers in nature areas (years 1-3)
Aims: - To quantify the influence of weather conditions and type of animal on use of diverse shelters for aversive weather conditions by large grazers.
- To test the preference of large grazers for different types of shelter depending on weather conditions, type of animal, and habitat (availability of natural shelter possibilities).
- To evaluate the effect of natural shelter possibilities versus artificial shelters on the microclimate.
2. Effect of tree shadow on the welfare and productivity of dairy and suckler cows (years 1-3)
Aims: - To document dairy and suckler cows’ use of a tree-shaded area in relation to weather circumstances during pasturing.
- To evaluate the effect on dairy and suckler cows’ access to, or lack of access to, a shaded area during pasturing.
- To calculate the loss of profit per animal of having no access to tree shadow during pasturing.
- To evaluate and compare the effect of tree shadow on the microclimate during periods with a chance of heat stress during pasturing.
- To determine the effect of tree shadow on grass production and composition.
3. Preference of cows for various types of shelter (year 3-4)
Aims: - To evaluate and compare the effect of three types of shelter for heat stress on the microclimate.
- To quantify the influence of weather conditions and characteristics of the animal (e.g. stage of lactation, level of production, color of coat, age, body condition) on use of various types of shelter in a herd of dairy and suckler cows.
- To test the preference of individual dairy and suckler cows for various types of shelter depending on the weather conditions and characteristics of the animal.
- To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various types of natural and artificial shelter for heat stress in pasturing cattle (based on both literature review and the results of this research).
During the first three years you will spread your time over the first two sub-projects. For subproject 1, one animal per herd (5 herds per year) participating in grazing projects in Flemish nature preserves will be fitted with a GPS sender to automatically follow their position and plot it on digital GIS maps. These herds have access to two different types of shelter for adverse weather conditions. On the basis of the climate data collected from a mobile weather station, relevant climate indices will be calculated such as the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) and the Heat Load Index (HLI). Association between use of the shelters and these climate indices will be tested statistically.
Subproject 2 will take place at ILVO-Animal Sciences’ experimental farm, where the dairy and suckler cow herds will be split into two treatments: with or without access to a zone with tree shadow during pasturing. Microclimatological data will be collected during two consecutive pasturing seasons in order to calculate relevant climate indices. The effect of the experimental treatment on production and animal welfare will be evaluated. Further, associations between use of the shaded area and these climate indices will be statistically examined, including the influence of the characteristics of the animal (such as stage of lactation, etc.). Additional microclimatological measurements will be performed in the shaded area to determine the effectiveness of the shelter for heat stress and to compare it with other types of shelter.
Subproject 3 takes place in the last year of the doctoral study. This subproject will examine the herd for individual preference based on free choice of several types of shelter.
In addition to the research this doctoral researcher will engage in the following tasks:
- You will follow related scientific developments in order to integrate them in the research assignment.
- You will work together with, and discuss your project with, researchers inside and outside ILVO.
- You discuss, get information from, and collaborate with relevant actors from the larger sector in order to successfully complete your project and translate questions to policy-supportive research.
- You will write reports (in French or Dutch), publications (in English) and a doctoral thesis (in English).
- You will participate in and organise workshops, study days and demonstrations.
- You will participate in international scientific congresses.
- You can work independently within a scientific team.
- You participate actively in service provision and advice-related activities.
After being offered the doctoral fellowship, the candidate must immediately register him- or herself as doctoral student and fulfill the necessary administrative requirements.
Your profile:
Diploma:
- You have a master’s degree in a related field (for example, veterinary science, bio-engineering, or biology).
Technical competence:
- You have an affinity for cattle husbandry.
- You have interest in, and at least a notion of, physiology, behaviour and evaluation of the welfare and health of cattle.
- You have knowledge of experimental planning and statistical evaluation of experimental results.
- You have knowledge of, and experience with, information technology and data management.
- You consciously support management, you communicate well and you are committed to your work.
- You have sufficient knowledge of English and Dutch (or French).
- You are team-minded and a networker.
- You are interested in nature management, particularly grazing projects in nature preserves.
- You are certified in experimental animal management, or you agree to work to achieve this certification during the first year of the project.
Applications (cover letter and curriculum vitae) must be sent at the latest on 19 August 2010 to Prof. Dr. ir. Bart Sonck, Animal Sciences Unit Head, ILVO, Scheldeweg 68, 9090 Melle, Belgium.
Selection will be performed by a specially-appointed jury. The selection will be based on an oral interview designed to test the candidate’s understanding of the relevant information.
The expected start date is 1 October 2010.
General requirements and rules for ILVO doctoral grants
All candidates eligible for their first fellowship must meet the following criteria:
1. Possess a basic university degree of the 2nd cycle, relevant to the project for which he or she is applying, obtained at least with distinction (or the equivalent). Candidates from the last year of the second cycle must provide proof of having passed the next-to-last year. They must, at the time of starting their fellowship, possess the appropriate diploma, received with distinction.
2. Must have received their first 2nd cycle diploma no more than 5 years ago and furthermore be a member of the European Union.
3. Must behave impeccably.
4. Before starting their doctoral research, must have performed no more than a total of 365 days of work for ILVO under a contract for scientific personnel.
ILVO examines the completeness and the conformity of the applications in light of the conditions of the allotment.
The research fellowship can only be made undone by either causes outside of one’s control or by mutual agreement. Any occurrence outside of one’s control that causes interruption of the fellowship must immediately be brought to the attention of ILVO’s Executive Director, who will decide how to change the mode of allotment of the fellowship.
The net amount of the fellowship grant is equivalent to 100% of the net amount of the wages paid by scientific staff (with the same family composition) paid by ILVO’s Own Capital, including vacation subsidies and end-of-year bonus, and is paid in monthly installments. Supplementation of the doctoral fellowship with other work activities, work benefits or assignments, and other sources of work-related income is not allowed. Possible exceptions must be presented to ILVO and will be judged on their impact on the fiscal exempt status of the fellowship grant. Normally no part-time fellowships are granted. Exceptions to this general rule may be allowed by ILVO in cases of parental leave or suspension.
It is required that the doctoral student follows doctoral studies according to the rules of the university; the supervisors jointly set the doctoral programme. The doctoral fellow is not allowed to take classes or perform experiments in order to get a master’s or bachelor’s degree.
The doctoral student agrees to limit his or her work during the entire period of the fellowship (2 times 2 years with an interim evaluation) exclusively to the programme for which the fellowship has been granted. The fellowship can be rescinded at any time if the doctoral student no longer meets the conditions of allotment of the research fellowship. The fellowship grant is put on hold in cases of extended illness (after the 31st calendar day), maternity leave or parental leave, and under the same conditions as the term of the suspension, can be extended after the last date of the allotment’s term.
The agreement between ILVO and the doctoral fellow is drawn up at the start of the fellowship. The arrangements for leave, payment of work-related costs and work-related insurance are identical to those for personnel of ILVO’s Own Capital. The doctoral fellow is subject to ILVO’s rules, regulations and requirements.
Want to know more?
For more information about the content of this position, contact:
Dr. ir. Frank Tuyttens, researcher
ILVO – Animal Sciences Unit
Scheldeweg 68, 9090 Melle
Tel. 09/272 26 05 - GSM: 0484 97 95 48 - E-mail: frank.tuyttens@ilvo.vlaanderen.be
or
Prof. Dr. ir. Daniël De Brabander, Scientific Director
ILVO – Animal Sciences Unit
Scheldeweg 68, 9090 Melle
Tel. 09/272 25 84 - E-mail: daniel.debrabander@ilvo.vlaanderen.be