Update, April 2021 - No. 1, by Royal GD

AHEAD IN ANIMAL HEALTH

update April 2021 - No. 1

BIOSENSOR

Predicting the zoonotic potential of influenza viruses

DECIDE

Healthier animals thanks to data

GD ACADEMY

Boost your knowledge online!

AHEAD IN ANIMAL HEALTH

Proficiency testing schemes in 2021 Why participate?

Cat. no.

Proficiency testing scheme

There are many good reasons to participate in proficiency testing schemes:

Round 5

1.

VLDIA323

PTS Bacterial Identification cattle

VLDIA324

PTS Antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial strains cattle

VLDIA323

PTS Bacterial Identification poultry

VLDIA324

PTS Antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial strains poultry

VLDIA323

PTS Bacterial Identification companion animals

VLDIA324

PTS Antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial strains companion animals

2.

3.

4.

5.

Evaluating the performance of the laboratory Maintaining/achieving accreditation to ISO 17025 Providing additional confidence Identifying interlaboratory differences Identifying problems

Closing date Final submission report + test results certificate

Closing date registration

Shipment samples

April 30

Week 20

June 25

Week 31

August 20

Week 36

October 23

Week 51

September 4

Week 39

November 19

Week 3·2022

October 1

Week 42

November 26

Week 2·2022

Round 6 VLDIA255

PTS aMPV antibody detection (TRT)

VLDIA277

PTS ARV antibody detection (REO)

VLDIA292

PTS ILT antibody detection

VLDIA329

PTS CAV antibody detection

VLDIA333

PTS IBR antibody detection (serum)

VLDIA334

PTS IBR antibody detection (milk)

VLDIA335

PTS IBR antibody detection (milk and serum)

Round 7 VLDIA232

PTS AI antibody detection

VLDIA327

PTS AI virus detection

VLDIA233

PTS Salmonella poultry antibody detection

VLDIA171

PTS Salmonella porcine antibody detection

VLDIA295

PTS SIV antibody detection

Round 8

View the entire schedule: www.gdanimalhealth.com/pts/timeschedule

VLDIA323

PTS Bacterial Identification cattle

VLDIA324

PTS Antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial strains cattle

VLDIA323

PTS Bacterial Identification swine

VLDIA324

PTS Antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial strains swine

foreword

NICE TO MEET YOU! Dear reader, It is my pleasure to introduce myself through this preface of the first GD Update of 2021. I have joined Royal GD in January as Director of Contract Research and Consultancy.

Throughout my career I have worked for several contract research organizations in various industries, mostly Pharma and Food. At GD I hope to use my experience to further build GD’s CRO business. In doing so I hope to meet many of you. For the moment digitally, but I am confident that sooner or later we will be able to meet in person. Anyhow, I look forward to working with you!

In this GD Update we brief you on some interesting recent developments. First of all the development of a biosensor to assess the zoonotic potential of influenza viruses. A topic that

is extremely relevant to the challenges of today’s society.

Besides that we inform you on a large research consortium GD will be heading (DECIDE) on using data to control and monitor contagious diseases.

We talk you through our animal models in an interview with one of our senior scientists and we inform you on a new distributor in South Korea. Finally, we give an update on how you can still benefit from our GD Academy program, despite the impossibility of live meetings at the moment.

I hope all of this will give you a taste of the incredible activity that is going on at GD both in terms of scientific research as well as business development!

Berend Oosterhuis, Director of Contract Research & Consultancy

content 04 Biosensor measures zoonotic potential

CONTACT INFORMATION ROYAL GD

of influenza viruses

If you want to know more about what GD can do for you, please contact one of our staff members, responsible for international sales:

Eveline Peereboom

Klaas van Aken

Business manager e.peereboom@ gdanimalhealth.com

Head business development k.v.aken@ gdanimalhealth.com

Mattheus Hekman

Jarno Smit

Area sales manager m.hekman@ gdanimalhealth.com

Area sales manager GD Academy j.smit@ gdanimalhealth.com

Anita Morelisse

Annemiek Kolkman

Coordinator GD Academy a.morelisse@ gdanimalhealth.com

Area sales manager a.kolkman@ gdanimalhealth.com

Fanny Nieuwenhuis

Frank Huis in ‘t Veld

Senior account manager f.nieuwenhuis@ gdanimalhealth.com

Sales support f.huisintveld@ gdanimalhealth.com

Monique Kleinlugtenbeld

Ellen Koetsier

Sales support support@ gdanimalhealth.com

Sales support support@ gdanimalhealth.com

Phone In the Netherlands 0900-1770, abroad +31 (0)570-633391 | E-mail info@gdanimalhealth.com | Website www.gdanimalhealth.com Mail address GD P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands | Editor Update Marije Stomps | Delivery address for samples and post mortem material GD, CMD, Arnsbergstraat 7, 7418 EZ Deventer, the Netherlands.

05 DECIDE: detecting endemic infectionous diseases with data

04

06 Animal models: research for the benefit of animals

08 Fighting equine diseases 09 Boost your knowledge online with GD Academy

06

10 Introducing new distributor Sistar 11 News and communications 12 GD specialist: Annet Velthuis

10

Update, April 2021 - 3

research

WHEN AND HOW DOES A VIRUS ATTACH?

Biosensor measures zoonotic potential of influenza viruses Better understanding of the bond between viruses and host cells contributes to predicting whether animal viruses can be transmitted to humans (and vice versa). Researchers Erhard van der Vries from Royal GD and Jurriaan Huskens and Nico Overeem from the University of Twente (Nico joined GD in November) have developed a biosensor that can measure this bond between virus and host cell. This biosensor can be used to help predict the zoonotic potential of influenza viruses. This information is important when analysing the risk posed by zoonotic viruses, such as influenza and coronavirus.

Influenza viruses infect a host through their receptor-binding proteins, which bind to sugar structures on the host organism’s cell surface. But how does a virus recognise human ‘host cells’, despite the cell surface being different to that seen in animals?

To answer this question, researchers from Royal GD and the University of Twente replicated the surface of a cell on a micro-

Article and animation An article on this study was published at the end of last year in the American scientific journal ACS Central Science, under the title ‘Hierarchical multivalent effects control influenza host specificity’. An animation was also created, to show clearly how the biosensor works and why this could have a positive impact on the protection of animal and human health.

4 - Update, April 2021

The biosensor provides insight into how and at which density of receptors a virus binds tot different host cels.

chip, in order to understand this binding process at a molecular level. The binding process is complex: the length, structure and density of these sugars (glycans) vary between humans and animals, and a minimum number of receptor cells also appear to be required for a virus to attach to a host cell.

Important insights The researchers created a cell surface with varying sugar densities and structures on this biosensor. This allowed the researchers to determine for the first time the minimum sugar density needed for a virus to attach. This minimum sugar density was also highly dependent on the length and type of sugar structure. The biosensor therefore provides insight into how a virus binds to different host cells, with the minimum receptor density for avian or human-type receptors acting as a measure for the risk of zoonosis. This knowledge allows more accurate estimation of the risk of influenza viruses being transmitted from animals to humans. These insights will also be important for future research into other zoonotic viruses, such as coronaviruses.

project

DECIDE

Healthier animals thanks to data Royal GD is to undertake research together with 18 partners from 11 countries, under the leadership of Utrecht University, to establish earlier detection of endemic infectious diseases in young farm animals and salmon, so that farmers and veterinarians can take appropriate measures.

This project titled ‘Data-driven control and prioritisation of non-EU-regulated contagious animal diseases’ (DECIDE) receives ten million euros of European funding.

The DECIDE project will be kicked off this summer. Project coordinator is Gerdien van Schaik. She is employed by GD and is a Professor at the Veterinary Faculty at Utrecht University, specialised in ‘Monitoring and surveillance of animal health’.

“We want to help farmers to keep their animals as healthy as possible. This project focuses on young animals; calves, chicks, piglets, and on salmon in aquaculture. The major issue in young farm animals concerns endemic infectious diseases such as diarrhoea and respiratory problems. In the case of salmon, there are a number of viral infections and sea lice which cause high mortality.”

Gerdien van Schaik

Mirjam Nielen

Arjan Stegeman

Wilma Steeneveld,

DECIDE project-coordinator Gerdien van Schaik with her colleagues of the Departement Population Health Sciences at Utrecht University.

Practical tools By gathering and applying all kinds of data on these animals, problems can be detected at an earlier stage. “An automatic drinking dispenser which registers that calves are suddenly drinking much less, for example. Or an underwater camera which shows that the salmon are eating less or are less active. That’s not something you can see from above.” The project will involve a wide range of parties, such as large pig and poultry production integrators in Spain and Italy, suppliers of automatic feedings systems for calves and underwater cameras, a Polish poultry laboratory and an international meat producer.

“The idea is that we utilise all this data to develop practical tools, which farmers and their veterinarians can use to improve animal health at their farms,” says Gerdien van Schaik. “In doing so, we pay attention to what farmers and their veterinarians

actually want, as they will be using it. An app comes to mind, for example, which gives a notification when something is wrong.”

Better welfare By means of the DECIDE project, GD hopes to improve not only animal health but also animal welfare and the agriculture/aquaculture farm economy. A number of sectors and parties can also learn from each other in the process. “Just like for salmon, you could also use cameras to monitor the behaviour of groups of chicks, for example. We hope to put such ideas into practice.”

Nineteen partners from eleven European countries will collaborate in DECIDE, and nine PhD researchers will be employed in the project, two of whom at Utrecht University. The project will be initiated early this summer and will last five years.

Update, April 2021 - 5

BALANCING BETWEEN GOAL AND USED RESOURCES

Animal models for better animal health In order to make animals healthy and keep them healthy, research sometimes needs to be carried out on these animals. To test whether a vaccine is sufficiently effective in practice or to determine whether sick animals recover after being given a new medicine. This kind of research for the benefit of animals is carried out using an animal model.

The aim is always to improve the health of the farm animals that the tests are conducted on.

Royal GD has been working with animal models for many years and strives to continuously improve these. Because an animal

Knowledge and expertise GD has a lot of knowledge and expertise in the field of animal models, including specific expertise in the areas of animal health, data analysis and the laboratory. GD has a huge range of laboratory tests at its disposal. The company is ISO-certified and is able to carry out GLP work.

6 - Update, April 2021

model has to meet many requirements and regulations. Erik Engelen, who is involved in developing animal models at GD, explains: “That makes sense of course. You only carry out research on animals when there are no valid alternatives or when this is required by law. There are a lot of legal procedures that need to be followed and the animal model has to make a significant contribution to animal health.”

In the interest of animals This last point is definitely the case. For example, GD may conduct the statutory research required to guarantee that a vaccine

research

or veterinary medicine actually complies with all the necessary quality requirements. The use of good and effective vaccines in the sector prevents animal diseases, and only veterinary medicines that meet strict standards can protect animals against pathogens or help them recover. So we work together to improve animal health, in the interests of animals, their owners and society at large. Information obtained through this kind of research can sometimes also be used to promote animal health in other ways, such as to make a distinction between viruses that are harmful and less harmful, or to look which diagnostic tool is the best to make an early correct diagnosis.

Specific models GD has an excellent international reputation when it comes to applied research, being the link between science and practical applications. “We have a lot of experience within the poultry sector in particular,” says Erik. “But of course there are other species that suffer from particular health problems too.

Respiratory problems in calves or post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets come to mind for example. During the weaning period, a pig’s gastrointestinal tract undergoes huge changes. It has to go from processing easy-to-digest sow’s milk to difficult-to-digest solid food. This can cause diarrhoea and health problems.

If we can check the effectiveness of veterinary medicines against these kinds of specific problems in an animal model and improve animal health, that’s obviously brilliant.”

The three Rs You might wonder whether testing medicines on animals is

responsible. In some cases there are other options, according to Erik. “For example, cells, tissues, or lower animals whose level of consciousness is (as yet) less developed, such as larvae and eggs. These kinds of alternatives are used wherever possible but, in the final stages of the development of a medicine, for example, we often do need to look at whether it does in fact also work in the target species. The three Rs always need to be taken into account when using animal models: replacement, refinement and reduction. If possible, we replace animals with other media, we refine the animal models as much as possible and we reduce the number of animals to a minimum. This last point is possible because the conditions are so strictly controlled.”

Final goal Refinement can be achieved through innovation. “Our laboratories, facilities and equipment are becoming more advanced all the time. At the moment we’re working on biosensors. These deliver knowledge while allowing us to handle the animals less.

That’s another great new development within the use of animal models.”

In the end, it all comes down to improving animal health.

That’s the final goal, and that goal has to be in balance with the resources used. If this is the case, you can achieve great results in the field of animal health with an animal model,” concludes Erik van Engelen.

MORE INFORMATION WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/CRO

Update, April 2021 - 7

PCR Project Equine

Combatting equine diseases through better monitoring Monitoring of infectious equine diseases is important. In the Netherlands, this has taken place through SEIN (Surveillance of Equine Infectious Diseases in the Netherlands) since 2019. This means that in the event of an outbreak, appropriate measures can be taken. The Boehringer Ingelheim and Royal GD PCR Project Equine monitored 11 viruses and bacteria found in horses with respiratory symptoms in the Netherlands, while promoting the use of SEIN by vets. A good example of working together for better equine health.

The Boehringer Ingelheim and GD PCR Project Equine screened for viruses and bacteria being present in horses with acute upper respiratory tract diseases in the Netherlands. Sample col-

Table of GD results for 11 viruses and bacteria Pathogenc

Single infections

Mixed infections

Total

EIV equine influenza virus

0% (0/122)

2% (3/122)

2% 3/122)

EHV-1 equine herpesvirus

0 (0/122)

1% (1/122)

1% (1/122)

EHV-4 equine herpesvirus

0 (0/122)

7% (9/122)

7% (9/122)

EHV-2 equine herpesvirus

5% (6/122)

48% (59/122)

53% (65/122)

EHV-5 equine herpesvirus

10% (12/122)

52% (63/122)

62% (75/122)

EAV equine arteritis virus

0% (0/122)

0% (0/122)

0% (0/122)

ERAV equine rhinitis virus A

0% (0/122)

0% (0/122)

0% (0/122)

ERBV equine rhinitis virus B

0% (0/122)

5% (6/122)

5% (6/122)

Streptococcus equi subsp. equi

2% (3/122)

10% (12/122)

12% (15/122)

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus

4% (5/122)

35% (43/122)

39% (48/122)

Rhodococcus equi

0% (0/17)

0% (0/17)

0% (0/17)

Respiratory pathogens detected by PCR performed on nasal swabs of 122 horses with acute respiratory disease in the Netherlands (2019/2020)

8 - Update, April 2021

lection equipment was provided to Dutch equine vets for this purpose. Two nasal swabs were taken by equine veterinarians from horses presenting with onset of fever and respiratory symptoms and these were sent to both GD and Boehringer Ingelheim. PCR tests were then subsequently performed to identify which pathogens were present in the sample. These included six PCR tests familiar to GD for pathogens such as influenza, strangles and rhinopneumonitis. Five new tests were set up by the Projects Laboratory specifically for this project.

The samples received were tested for a total of eleven different viruses and bacteria.

SEIN The project has given insights in which viruses and bacteria are prevalent among Dutch horses, and some of these results have also been shared via SEIN. SEIN is an initiative of the KNMvD (Royal Dutch Veterinary Association), Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and GD. Equine veterinarians use the platform SEIN to share positive test results in case of equine infectious disease outbreaks among the participants of SEIN, thus obtaining high quality insight into identified outbreaks in the Netherlands. These results are shared anonymously in order to stimulate the horses‘ owner willingness to share data and, since location is very important to contain the spread of an outbreak, only the first two digits of the area code are revealed. As of now, strangles, rhinopneumonitis and influenza are being monitored in SEIN but other equine diseases may be added in the future. With the PCR Project Equine and acceleration of the use of SEIN, an important step has been taken towards further improving the surveillance of equine infectious diseases in the Netherlands for the support of veterinarians and to the benefit of the health of the horse population.

INTERESTED IN SETTING UP A COLLABORATION WITH GD? SUPPORT@GDANIMALHEALTH.COM

training

Boost your knowledge online at GD Academy At GD Academy, we are always delighted to provide you with the latest information in your professional field.

We can’t do this live at the moment, but our courses continue to run online. From webinars and e-learning to complete online training, tailored to your needs if required: there’s always more to learn about animal health at GD Academy.

The training courses and educational options offered online by GD Academy are intended for agriculturalists and their employees, veterinarians, pharmacists, the feed industry and government bodies. Interaction is an important part of our webinars, e-learning programmes and online training courses, and you can always contact our experts directly. Some examples of what GD Academy can offer.

Tailored courses Let us know which subject you would like to find out more about, and we will create a tailored online training course for your company. A one-day or week-long online training course might start with an online kick-off led by our expert, followed by a period of self-study during which participants work independently to complete our e-learning module, while we monitor

their progress. An online Q&A or wrap-up session can be organised too, to round off the programme.

E-learning With our e-learning modules, you can learn at your own pace and from any location in the world. All you need is an internet connection. We offer general e-learning topics such as biosecurity, but also modules focusing on the cattle and poultry sectors, covering issues such as mastitis, claw health, infectious bronchitis, Newcastle disease, mycoplasma, immunology and vaccination. The choice of subjects is updated constantly, so keep an eye on the website.

Webinars GD regularly organises educational webinars for a number of target groups, in cooperation with a range of partners. Our specialists and experts share interesting background information and practical tips to give you an insight into modern-day professional farming. Interested in watching the webinars? Visit our website: www.gdanimalhealth.com/webinars-en.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/GDACADEMY

Update, April 2021 - 9

interview

DISTRIBUTOR

Teaming up with Sistar in Vietnam Teaming up for animal health does not stop at the national borders. That’s why Royal GD is working to establish an international distribution network. Lee Jeong Seok, our distributor at Sistar in Vietnam, explains why this collaboration is useful for them.

Vietnam is home to approximately 100 million people, for whom meat is a popular component of their meals. Following the African Swine Fever outbreak in 2019, the livestock industry has evolved from small-scale farms producing only for domestic demand, into larger, professional farms. There is therefore an extensive market for animal healthcare products. Sistar Vietnam was established in 2011 and specialises in distributing vaccines, diagnostic kits and veterinary medicines. Their motto is ‘Distributing the best quality products’. Lee Jeong Seok tells us about the cooperation with GD. How did you become acquainted with GD Animal Health?

“GD was introduced by one of its associates at an exhibition in Thailand in 2018. I subsequently met with the Director of Business Development of GD and discussed the business partnership.”

What are the benefits for both companies of working together?

“When developing products in a country, there are many tasks to be managed: introduction of technical aspects, quality trial tests, stable and daily communication with customers, et cetera. You can of course contact your clients abroad by phone and email, but Sistar can add face-to-face communication. In return, GD supports us with technical data and resolving issues.

We have also visited some potential customers together.”

The Sistar team

GD’s Tom Duinhof with Sistar-members and a deputy of a Governmental organization.

How are you introducing GD to the Vietnamese market?

“We are meeting with the technical managers of animal health departments and we are introducing them to GD training courses, FTA cards for PCR testing and sequencing. When it comes to laboratories, we focus on antigen, PTS and FTA cards, and we are also introducing GD training courses for laboratory staff. Besides this, we are introducing GD antigen and antibody research in the government sector.”

Would you recommend this kind of cooperation to other companies?

“Yes, because this system enables professional marketing, consistency of communication and product delivery. Together with GD, we can develop new products which are suitable for various markets. The manufacturer and distributor can share (local and global) market information to undertake new products. It also enables faster introduction of the products to end users, for the customers’ convenience and satisfaction.”

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A DISTRIBUTOR FOR GD? WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/DISTRIBUTORS SUPPORT@GDANIMALHEALTH.COM

10 - Update, April 2021

news & communications

Contract research: how can we help you?

With a broad team of experienced and fully dedicated animal health experts, our own (SPF) animal facilities and state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory, we can perform studies needed for registration dossiers or to support products with scientific data.

Together with our sponsors, we design and perform studies for multidisciplinary research in accordance with the required international quality standards and guidelines (EP, VICH, GCP or GLP).

AHEAD IN ANIMAL HEALTH

FTA cards: find the agent!

Visit our new CRO website and learn more about the in-vitro and in-vivo studies, animal models, field studies, facilities, quality standards and what else we can do for you.

MORE INFORMATION WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/CRO

Brexit: submitting samples

GD IS AHEAD IN ANIMAL HEALTH WITH EASY SHIPMENT FOR MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS

From the 1st of January, 2021, the UK is no longer a Member State of the EU and is to be considered a third country. When submitting samples of animal by-products from third countries, an import permit is required, as issued to GD by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). It allows us to receive samples of all animal species from third countries, as long as we comply with the permit conditions for accepting and processing the samples, as follows: • The import of the consignment shall take place through an approved border control post (BCP); the consignment needs to be pre-announced (before arrival of the goods) by means of a common health entry document (CHED); • Upon arrival at the BCP, each consignment needs to be inspected by an official veterinarian and needs to be accompanied by a copy of the import permit and an original document that mentions the nature, the quantity and the origin of the product.

In some cases, no import permit and corresponding requirements are needed.

Please inform support@gdanimalhealth.com before submitting samples to GD in order to obtain the correct information.

New products for poultry: ILT/SNP typification PCR and Coryza genotyping Two new products are available for poultry: the ILT/SNP typification PCR and Coryza genotyping. The ILT/SNP PCR (article number 12008/12009) can be used on swabs and FTA cards, and shows the presence or absence of the ILT virus. When this ILT virus is shown to be present, the test indicates whether it is a vaccine-like or wild type of strain. This PCR is also included in the respiratory PCR package for poultry and can be used on swabs and FTA cards (article number 11654/11644).

The Coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum) genotyping product (article number 11585/10673) is a test that can be carried out on swabs or FTA cards (article number 10673/11585) following a positive Coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum) PCR. This gives information on the genotype and serotype of the Avibacterium paragallinarum bacteria involved in a Coryza outbreak.

Find The Agent Are you looking for a laboratory which can receive samples from all over the world? Which provides you with independent and reliable results? Offers you a large range of PCR tests, the possibility of sequencing/genotyping and can also offer veterinary advice? Then choose our diagnostics line: Find The Agent!

An FTA card is a chemically treated filter paper designed for the collection, preservation and shipment of biological samples for subsequent DNA and RNA analysis. Special chemicals lyse and inactivate bacteria and viruses and preserve their DNA and RNA for detection by PCR. Submitting samples on FTA cards is easy and fast. Advantages are: • No risk of spreading infectious agents due to the chemicals included • No import permit is needed • Transportation at room temperature • Submit samples via regular post • Low transportation costs You can submit samples to our laboratory from any country. Visit our website to see which tests are available this year.

MORE INFORMATION

MORE INFORMATION

WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM

WWW.GDANIMALHEALTH.COM/FTA

Update, April 2021 - 11

GD specialist: Annet Velthuis The Royal GD specialists’ daily work is focused on expanding and sharing their extensive knowledge of animal diseases. As Research Manager for the Cattle Department at GD, Annet Velthuis is involved in research that contributes to the development of new veterinary medicines.

Annet studied Animal Sciences with the idea that she would like to contribute to preventive animal health. “Isn’t it fantastic to be able to stop animals getting sick, or make sure they can be cured quickly if they do?”

That’s exactly what she does at GD: research that helps pharmaceutical companies develop new molecules, drugs and feed ingredients to combat animal disease. “That includes safety and efficacy studies, carried out through experimental studies (animal models) as well as at commercial dairy farms.”

Combating Crypto Annet and her colleagues are working on combating cryptosporidium parvum, for example. “This is a major problem in calves worldwide. It is a parasite that causes severe diarrhoea in calves, which can even kill them. People can also get sick from the same parasite. At GD, we have an animal model that allows us to measure exactly what happens when young calves are infected with cryptosporidium parvum. The animals suffer considerable diarrhoea for a number of days but then go on to recover.

Collecting all their faeces and examining it allows us to determine exactly how much diarrhoea they have had, how many parasites were in it and so on.

With these parameters we can calculate precisely how effective new drugs or feed ingredients are in reducing crypto, allowing us to prove what works and what doesn’t. This makes GD an important and unique link in the fight against a global problem in husbandry.”

Interesting studies That same relationship between theory and practice can be found in Annet’s work as a Professor in Bovine Health Management at Aeres University of Applied Sciences in Dronten. There, the focus is on what farmers can do to keep their herds healthy.

“I really enjoy educating and guiding young people.

One of my students recently used a thermal camera to check whether you could tell if a calf had diarrhoea from the temperature of its nose, ears and eyes. Those are interesting studies, which we may be able to use in animal models at GD. This is how we work together to improve animal health.”

P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands +31 570 633 391, info@gdanimalhealth.com, www.gdanimalhealth.com