Co-infection, metabolism and lamb survival: an investigation into the factors that underpin sustainable lamb production in UK sheep flocks

Improving lamb survival is a key priority for the UK sheep industry, as it strives to enhance animal welfare, environmental sustainability and profitability. Whilst co-infections with chronic and parasitic diseases in ewes are known to impact on lamb survival, how these interact with ewe metabolic status under UK management conditions is poorly understood. Consequently, the aim of this project is to investigate the interaction of management practices, ewe metabolic and co-infection status with lamb outcomes.

The project will start by investigating the relationship between management practices and lamb survival using an existing dataset of over 100 UK farmers surveyed about current husbandry practices, perceived disease risks and lamb survival on their farm.

This will be followed by investigating the relationship between ewe disease and metabolic status using existing data and blood samples from 41 Welsh sheep flocks. Laboratory analysis of ewe blood samples for chronic and parasitic infections will be conducted to estimate the disease burden of each flock and to model the relationship with ewe metabolic status between tupping and lambing.

This work will be combined to inform the design of a field study to investigate the influence of ewe metabolic and chronic disease status on lamb outcomes. Working with commercial sheep farm(s) to develop a longitudinal case-control study to model the impact of ewe metabolic and disease status on lamb outcomes (survival, growth and disease).

The student will gain experience in epidemiology, data analysis and primary laboratory techniques. This will include study design, conducting ELISAs for a variety of infectious disease, analysis of a combination of pre-existing and generation of new datasets. There will be opportunities to gain experience in developing field-based case-control studies and knowledge exchange about project outcomes. In addition to quantitative and qualitative university postgraduate training, they will be a member of the Epidemiology Division.

Funding information and application procedures:

 This 3.5 year studentship opportunity is open to UK and international students and provides funding to cover stipend, tuition fees and consumable/travel costs. 

Application form can be downloaded via https://vet.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-12/R%28D%29SVS%20and%20Roslin%20Foundation%20PhD%20studentship%20application%20form_0.docx

Please send your completed Application Form to [Email Address Removed]

If you are applying for more than one studentship please submit a separate application with a closing date of noon on 13^th February 2025 at Studentships | The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies