My research includes development and validation of methods to quantify behavioural needs in farm animals, and I have applied these methods to answer current questions in relation to animal welfare in pigs and cattle. My research on pigs includes studies of the motivation controlling exploratory and feeding behaviour to identify causes of abnormal behaviour and to identify appropriate environmental enrichment. Research in cattle includes studies of the effect of physical and social environment on the development of social behaviour and play behaviour in dairy calves. My cattle research also includes studies on the relation between behaviour and health in dairy calves, design and use of hospital pens in dairy cows and use of behavioural changes indicative of imminent calving in managing dairy cows. Current research investigates the effect dry-off strategies on dairy cow welfare, the effect of management and housing on dairy cows’ behaviour around the time of calving and the effect of cow-calf contact on the animals’ behaviour and welfare.

Research focus:  

• Behavioural methods to quantify behavioural needs in farm animals
• Studies of the motivation controlling exploratory and feeding behaviour in pigs to identify causes of abnormal behaviour and to identify appropriate environmental enrichment
• The effect of physical and social environment on the development of social behaviour and play behaviour in dairy calves
• Milk feeding methods for group-housed calves that minimise competition and prevent abnormal cross-sucking behaviour
• The effect of management and housing on behaviour and welfare of dairy cows around the time of calving
• Behavioural changes indicative of imminent calving in dairy cows
• Design and use of hospital pens in dairy cows
• The effect of dry-off strategies on dairy cow behaviour and welfare
• Dam-rearing of dairy calves.