Embracing Disruption as an opportunity for Animal Science
Joint AAAP & AAAS Animal Production Congress 2024
Speakers
Tim McAllister
Tim McAllister obtained his M.Sc. in Animal Biochemistry at the University of Alberta and his Ph.D. in rumen microbiology and nutrition from the University of Guelph in 1991. After appointments in technical and biologist positions, he was promoted to a Principal Research Scientist where he is presently in charge of a diverse research team, with part of the program developing strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant production systems. He began working on aspects of greenhouse gas in ruminant production systems in the early 1990’s using both animal and continuous fermentation systems.
Lindiwie Majele Sibanda
Prof Lindiwe Majele Sibanda is an animal scientist and a practising cattle farmer with extensive experience as a governor and a policy advisor to numerous African governments and global institutions.
She is the CGIAR System Board Chair and holds the position of Extra Ordinary Professor in Animal Sciences at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She serves on the Nestlé Board; chairs the Council at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe She is an Associate Fellow at Chatham House, UK; and member of Champions 12.3, working on accelerating progress on UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 12.3, halving global per capita food waste. She hold a BSc. in Animal Production from the University of Alexandria, Egypt; MSc. in Grasslands Science and PhD in Goat Sciences from the University of Reading, UK.
Jean-Loup Rault
Jean-Loup Rault is Professor of Animal Welfare Science at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna in Austria, and head of the Institute of Animal Welfare Science. He previously worked in France, the United States, Argentina and Australia. His main research interest focuses on the benefits of social behaviour and human-animal interactions for animal welfare. He uses a multi-disciplinary approach combining animal behaviour, physiology and neuroscience. He has also worked on euthanasia and slaughter of pigs and cattle, and the behaviour and welfare implications of free-range poultry housing systems
Kirsty Richards
Kirsty Richards leads the Autism and Agriculture project, a collaboration between SunPork Farms, the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) and Specialisterne Australia. In this capacity Kirsty has overseen a world first pilot program to develop animal care career paths for people on the autism spectrum. In 2017 SunPork Farms proudly announced the commencement of their first autistic employees in Queensland and South Australia. These employees collectively represent 10% of their largest farms’ workforces. They are recognised as a tremendous asset in advancing business pride and culture, animal care and welfare objectives.
Michael Watkins
Michael is a Mudburra descendant and holds the role of Lecturer in Aboriginal Allied Health within the University of South Australia, Department of Rural Health. His teaching focusses on developing the cultural capabilities of Nursing and Allied Health students, and their research focussing on the cultural outcomes of engaging with bush foods and traditional knowledges. Michael has a background in rural and remote health practice, teaching and learning in higher education and nutrition and food sciences. He also has a keen interest in developing Aboriginal health curricula and placement opportunities in Aboriginal health settings.
Fran Cowley
Associate Professor in Livestock Production in the School of Environmental and Rural Science. She is a leader of the UNE Ruminant Research Group (RRG). Her research interests range from the systems level of livestock production down to the metabolic level, studying the actions and interactions of nutrients with ruminant physiology. She has conducted research on sheep, dairy and beef cattle, in grazing and grain-fed systems. Currently a main focus for her research is nutritional solutions to methane emissions and carbon footprints of cattle and sheep, utilising the world's largest methane research facility at UNE.
Mengxiong Vangnengxiong
Mengxiong Vangnengxiong, also known as Meng, was born, and raised in Numpong Village, in Vientiane Province, Laos. He grew up surrounded by domestic animals, livestock, and an abundance of wildlife in the surrounding forests. This upbringing instilled in him a strong connection to nature and a desire to find a career where he could care for animals. Over the years, Meng has seen firsthand the impact that climate change, deforestation, and the illegal wildlife trade on the wildlife of Laos. He has witnessed forests being cut down and burnt, and an increase in the selling of wildlife (including many endangered species) in markets and even on social media.
Matt Shaffer
Matt Shaffer is the CEO of DataGene limited, the dairy industry organisation responsible for genetic evaluation, herd testing software, a central data repository and industry delivery of herd improvement initiatives.
Matt Shaffer grew up on a farm in Western Pennsylvania where his first paying job was milking cows. He went on to attend Penn State and Cambridge Universities before joining Hancock Agricultural Investment Group as Director of International Operations. While working for Hancock, he moved to Australia to open a subsidiary and has been here ever since. Before joining DataGene, Matt was the CEO of Holstein Australia and Program Manager for Genetics and Data Management for Dairy Australia.
Chris Ashworth
Dr. Chris Ashworth is the Global Research and Discovery Veterinarian for Zinpro Corporation. Chris is responsible for research and discovery studies across multiple species from cattle to companion animals. Many of his studies are focused on preventing viral diseases in animals, with an emphasis on respiratory disease of pasture-based animals. His Underwood lecture will discuss recent advances in mineral nutrition related to health and immunity with a focus on connecting trace minerals to immune cell function.