The Murdoch University Farm Animal Welfare team received the Agriculture Award at the recent RSPCA WA Animal Welfare awards ceremony.

The team consists of six academics aiming to positively influence the welfare of animals in agriculture; Associate Professor David Miller (lead), Dr Emily Taylor, Professor Trish Fleming, Associate Professor Anne Barnes, Dr Fiona Anderson and Dr Sarah Wickham.

Professor Miller said his team are investigating the behaviour of sheep in order to find those that may be indicating signs that they need closer veterinary inspection.

The assessment of sheep welfare is challenging under commercial farm conditions. However, by using a method known as Qualitative Behavioural Assessment (QBA), we were able to assess sheep for issues such as flystrike, gastro-intestinal parasitism and lameness.”Associate Professor David Miller

The team captured short videos of the sheep which they accessed remotely to monitor their behaviours using the QBA methodology.

“The research successfully demonstrated that QBA may represent an easy-to-use and valuable tool for producers and stakeholders to assess on-farm animal welfare. These insights have the potential to positively impact on the welfare of millions of sheep across Australia,” he said.

Interim Principal at Murdoch University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, Henry Annandale said it was inspiring to see Murdoch’s dedicated staff winning such prestigious awards.

“Congratulations to Associate Professor David Miller, Dr Emily Taylor, Professor Trish Fleming, Associate Professor Anne Barnes, Dr Fiona Anderson and Dr Sarah Wickham for receiving the RSPCA Agriculture Award,” Dr Annandale said.

To win such an award from a highly respected organisation like the RSPCA is a wonderful achievement and testament to their dedication to improving animal welfare.”Henry Annandale, Interim Principal at Murdoch University's School of Veterinary Medicine

RSPCA WA Chair Lynne Bradshaw said RSPCA WA was thrilled to announce the winners for 2022 and celebrate their achievements.

‘Often RSPCA WA deals with heartbreaking cases. Having so many animal lovers in one place today and hearing how they’ve put their heart and soul into making a real difference to the welfare of so many animals is really special,” she said.

 The RSPCA Animal Welfare awards ceremony recognises individuals and groups who are actively working to save animal livings and improve welfare standards through acts of bravery, compassion and advocacy.

Pictured: Lynne Bradshaw (RSPCA WA Chair), Associate Professor David Miller, and Dr Emily Taylor.