Emma Bleach | Harper Adams University (original) (raw)
Papers by Emma Bleach
The relationship between milk oestradiol concentrations and oestrus activity in lactating Holstein–Friesian cows
Animal Production Science
Context Detecting oestrus to facilitate the optimal timing of artificial insemination is key to o... more Context Detecting oestrus to facilitate the optimal timing of artificial insemination is key to optimal reproductive performance in dairy cows. Aims The aims of the present study were to investigate the relationship between activity and milk oestradiol concentrations during oestrus. Methods Accelerometers (IceQubes, IceRobotics Ltd, UK) were used to monitor the activity (the number of steps per day) of 37 lactating Holstein–Friesian cows during the peri-oestrus period. Daily milk samples were analysed for oestradiol and progesterone concentrations. Key results An increase in activity sufficient to generate an oestrus alert (behavioural oestrus) from an activity sensor (GEA Rescounter II) was detected in 29 of 37 (78%) cows. Milk oestradiol increased from 2.0 ± 0.5 pg/mL 4 days before oestrus to 8.3 ± 1.1 pg/mL on the day of behavioural oestrus, then fell to 2.6 ± 0.6 pg/mL by 3 days afterwards. Similarly, activity also increased and peaked on the day of oestrus. However, in 8 of 37 ...
An Investigation of Equine Sperm Quality Following Cryopreservation at Low Sperm Concentration and Repeated Freeze-Thawing
SSRN Electronic Journal
Animals, Mar 3, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Grass and Forage Science, 2018
Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 2017
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of value co-creation to the ... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of value co-creation to the UK animal healthcare sector from the perspective of the key industry stakeholders: clients, veterinarians and paraprofessionals. Design/methodology/approach Value co-creation constructs in the sector were identified and measured using a mixed methods approach comprised of qualitative NVivo© thematic analysis of depth interviews (n=13) and quantitative exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n=271). Findings Qualitative results revealed nine underlying dimensions regarding service delivery in the sector: trustworthiness, communication, value for money, empathy, bespoke, integrated care, tangibles, accessibility and outcome driven service. EFA of professional survey data loaded onto seven latent factors, with strong value co-creation dimensions identified. Research limitations/implications The sampling process is sufficiently representative and diverse to present meaningful and valuable results...
A survey of Jersey heifer calf rearing practices among UK dairy farmers
Health and atresia in first wave follicles is reflected in changing serum dimeric inhibin-A concentrations in dairy heifers
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 2001
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2018
Activity was increased on the day of behavioural oestrus Resting time, lying bouts and feedin... more Activity was increased on the day of behavioural oestrus Resting time, lying bouts and feeding behaviours were reduced on the day of behavioural oestrus Only feeding duration was reduced on the day of silent oestrus
The effects on performance of out-wintering replacement heifers in a high-output dairy system
Out-wintering replacement dairy heifers is commonly practised among low input pasture-based dairy... more Out-wintering replacement dairy heifers is commonly practised among low input pasture-based dairy systems, and is potentially an option to facilitate expansion for high output dairy farms. The effects on performance of Holstein dairy heifers out-wintered on perennial ryegrass, fodder beet, or housed during the winter of 2013/2014 in the UK were examined. Forty eight, 23-(±2.8) month-old, in-calf heifers were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: out-wintered on perennial ryegrass and grass silage (G); out-wintered on fodder beet and grass silage (F); or housed and fed grass silage and concentrate (H). The study commenced in November 2013, with heifers continuing on their respective treatments for 13 weeks, before being housed for six weeks before parturition. Post-partum all animals received the same diet with performance measured for 12 weeks. Mean live weight (Lwt) and body condition score (BCS) during the winter was unaffected by treatment, but BCS of heifers that receive...
Secretion of choline in milk is depressed in dairy cows in early lactation
The effect of locomotion score and foot lesions on kinematic measures of gait in dairy cattle
The objective was to determine whether changes in the different components of gait, walking speed... more The objective was to determine whether changes in the different components of gait, walking speed, and lying behavior were associated with hoof pathologies in lactating Holstein cows. In experiment 1, 53 cows had their gait scored, their walking speed estimated, and their lying behavior monitored before clinical assessment of the hooves. Multiparous cows with ulcers scored higher than cows without ulcers for overall gait score [numerical rating score (NRS); 3.3 ± 0.2 vs. 2.8 ± 0.2], back arch, joint flexion, asymmetric steps, and reluctance to bear weight. Although cows with ulcers did not walk more slowly than cows without ulcers (1.4 m/s), they spent more time lying down (827.8 ± 29.1 vs. 738.2 ± 15.5 min/d) because of longer lying bouts (93.3 ± 5.9 vs. 79.7 ± 3.4 min). In experiment 2, 47 cows were monitored for hoof health and changes in gait score from 4 wk before to 24 wk after calving. Differences were found after calving between cows that developed an ulcer and cows that did...
Domesticated animals form an important part of modern life, fulfilling roles as household compani... more Domesticated animals form an important part of modern life, fulfilling roles as household companions, working animals or food producing livestock. Regardless of the position they realise within contemporary society,their day to day care is now complex and involves a range of animal healthcare practitioners in addition to the veterinary professional, termed paraprofessionals. The discerning nature of the modern client in combination with the developing roles of professionals within the sector has transformed market dynamics and highlighted the need for reflection on measures of service quality and its provision. This paper presents a conceptualisation of value co- creation within animal healthcare based on an analysis of sector stakeholders’ service experiences. Interviews with service providers and clients provide data for content analysis and highlight the dimensions of communication and integrated care as important components of service provision. Exploratory factor analysis of qu...
First lactation milk yield and fertility of Holstein heifers reared using three milk replacer feeding regimes
A Value Co-Creation Framework to Manage Service Quality in the UK Animal Health and Veterinary Sector
This paper outlines the development of a value co-creation framework for the management of servic... more This paper outlines the development of a value co-creation framework for the management of service quality in the animal healthcare sector. A mixed-methods approach that combined depth interviews and a survey (n=663) was utilised. The research found that the key dimensions of value co-creation in the animal healthcare sector are Interaction, Access, and Location and that there are statistically significant relationships between service quality and a number of underlying value co-creation variables. The paper makes an original contribution to knowledge regarding value co-creation, client centric servicer, and management in the animal healthcare sector. Its findings will be of value to practitioners responsible for managing service provision in the animal healthcare sector and academics interested in high involvement service provision.
128 Comparison of behaviour of in-calf Holstein Friesian heifers out-wintered on fodder beet or grass with those housed over winter
Animal - science proceedings
109. A preliminary evaluation of British farmers’ perception of dairy cow-calf rearing
Animal - science proceedings
Responses to multiple chain enrichment in post weaned pigs
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science
The social stressors associated with the abrupt weaning process on commercial farms can result in... more The social stressors associated with the abrupt weaning process on commercial farms can result in significant welfare issues for pigs; including behavioural problems and aggression, decreased immunological responses, reduced live weight gain and efficiency of feed conversion (van de Weerd and Day, 2008). Slats and slurry systems in commercial housing systems for grower pigs provide a barren environment which may exacerbate these problems. Enriched environments have been shown to reduce aggression in pigs, particularly where devices that have manipulative and destructive properties are used (Scott et al, 2007). However, studies often include a single device that does not permit all animals to interact with the enrichment at any one time. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of multiple metal chain enrichment on levels of aggression in growing pigs.
Advances in Animal Biosciences, 2010
Journal of reproduction and fertility, 1998
A new two-site ELISA was validated for ovine plasma and used to measure circulating inhibin-A con... more A new two-site ELISA was validated for ovine plasma and used to measure circulating inhibin-A concentrations during a synchronized oestrous cycle in four ewes and throughout pregnancy in six ewes. Inhibin A concentrations were also determined in four ewes during chronic treatment with a GnRH agonist and after subsequent exposure to pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) to stimulate ovarian follicular development. Concentrations of FSH, LH, oestradiol and progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. The detection limit of the inhibin-A ELISA was approximately 50 pg ml-1 and no significant crossreaction was observed with a range of related molecules including activin-A, inhibin-B, activin-B, follistatin and alpha 2-macroglobulin. Inhibin-A concentrations were below the detection limit in plasma from hypophysectomized and ovariectomized ewes. During the oestrous cycle, plasma inhibin-A concentrations (approximately 0.3-0.4 ng ml-1) did not vary during the follicular phase...
Animals
Calf morbidity and mortality rates are often high in dairy herds, raising animal welfare concerns... more Calf morbidity and mortality rates are often high in dairy herds, raising animal welfare concerns and negatively affecting farm economic efficiency and future performance. Disease prevention is critical to maintain calves in good health, but interventions are dependent upon the persons conducting them. This paper explores the perceptions of farmers, farm workers, veterinarians, and other advisors on the management of calfhood disease on dairy farms in England. Participants were recruited using purposive and “snowball” sampling, resulting in 40 in-depth, semi-structured interviews—26 with dairy farmers and 14 with advisors. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically coded. Three major themes were derived on the basis of interview data: disease occurrence and treatments, management of calf environment, and the role of stockmanship and perceived control. Respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in calves were those reported to be most problematic on dairy farms. Limited t...
The relationship between milk oestradiol concentrations and oestrus activity in lactating Holstein–Friesian cows
Animal Production Science
Context Detecting oestrus to facilitate the optimal timing of artificial insemination is key to o... more Context Detecting oestrus to facilitate the optimal timing of artificial insemination is key to optimal reproductive performance in dairy cows. Aims The aims of the present study were to investigate the relationship between activity and milk oestradiol concentrations during oestrus. Methods Accelerometers (IceQubes, IceRobotics Ltd, UK) were used to monitor the activity (the number of steps per day) of 37 lactating Holstein–Friesian cows during the peri-oestrus period. Daily milk samples were analysed for oestradiol and progesterone concentrations. Key results An increase in activity sufficient to generate an oestrus alert (behavioural oestrus) from an activity sensor (GEA Rescounter II) was detected in 29 of 37 (78%) cows. Milk oestradiol increased from 2.0 ± 0.5 pg/mL 4 days before oestrus to 8.3 ± 1.1 pg/mL on the day of behavioural oestrus, then fell to 2.6 ± 0.6 pg/mL by 3 days afterwards. Similarly, activity also increased and peaked on the day of oestrus. However, in 8 of 37 ...
An Investigation of Equine Sperm Quality Following Cryopreservation at Low Sperm Concentration and Repeated Freeze-Thawing
SSRN Electronic Journal
Animals, Mar 3, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Grass and Forage Science, 2018
Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 2017
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of value co-creation to the ... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of value co-creation to the UK animal healthcare sector from the perspective of the key industry stakeholders: clients, veterinarians and paraprofessionals. Design/methodology/approach Value co-creation constructs in the sector were identified and measured using a mixed methods approach comprised of qualitative NVivo© thematic analysis of depth interviews (n=13) and quantitative exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n=271). Findings Qualitative results revealed nine underlying dimensions regarding service delivery in the sector: trustworthiness, communication, value for money, empathy, bespoke, integrated care, tangibles, accessibility and outcome driven service. EFA of professional survey data loaded onto seven latent factors, with strong value co-creation dimensions identified. Research limitations/implications The sampling process is sufficiently representative and diverse to present meaningful and valuable results...
A survey of Jersey heifer calf rearing practices among UK dairy farmers
Health and atresia in first wave follicles is reflected in changing serum dimeric inhibin-A concentrations in dairy heifers
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 2001
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2018
Activity was increased on the day of behavioural oestrus Resting time, lying bouts and feedin... more Activity was increased on the day of behavioural oestrus Resting time, lying bouts and feeding behaviours were reduced on the day of behavioural oestrus Only feeding duration was reduced on the day of silent oestrus
The effects on performance of out-wintering replacement heifers in a high-output dairy system
Out-wintering replacement dairy heifers is commonly practised among low input pasture-based dairy... more Out-wintering replacement dairy heifers is commonly practised among low input pasture-based dairy systems, and is potentially an option to facilitate expansion for high output dairy farms. The effects on performance of Holstein dairy heifers out-wintered on perennial ryegrass, fodder beet, or housed during the winter of 2013/2014 in the UK were examined. Forty eight, 23-(±2.8) month-old, in-calf heifers were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: out-wintered on perennial ryegrass and grass silage (G); out-wintered on fodder beet and grass silage (F); or housed and fed grass silage and concentrate (H). The study commenced in November 2013, with heifers continuing on their respective treatments for 13 weeks, before being housed for six weeks before parturition. Post-partum all animals received the same diet with performance measured for 12 weeks. Mean live weight (Lwt) and body condition score (BCS) during the winter was unaffected by treatment, but BCS of heifers that receive...
Secretion of choline in milk is depressed in dairy cows in early lactation
The effect of locomotion score and foot lesions on kinematic measures of gait in dairy cattle
The objective was to determine whether changes in the different components of gait, walking speed... more The objective was to determine whether changes in the different components of gait, walking speed, and lying behavior were associated with hoof pathologies in lactating Holstein cows. In experiment 1, 53 cows had their gait scored, their walking speed estimated, and their lying behavior monitored before clinical assessment of the hooves. Multiparous cows with ulcers scored higher than cows without ulcers for overall gait score [numerical rating score (NRS); 3.3 ± 0.2 vs. 2.8 ± 0.2], back arch, joint flexion, asymmetric steps, and reluctance to bear weight. Although cows with ulcers did not walk more slowly than cows without ulcers (1.4 m/s), they spent more time lying down (827.8 ± 29.1 vs. 738.2 ± 15.5 min/d) because of longer lying bouts (93.3 ± 5.9 vs. 79.7 ± 3.4 min). In experiment 2, 47 cows were monitored for hoof health and changes in gait score from 4 wk before to 24 wk after calving. Differences were found after calving between cows that developed an ulcer and cows that did...
Domesticated animals form an important part of modern life, fulfilling roles as household compani... more Domesticated animals form an important part of modern life, fulfilling roles as household companions, working animals or food producing livestock. Regardless of the position they realise within contemporary society,their day to day care is now complex and involves a range of animal healthcare practitioners in addition to the veterinary professional, termed paraprofessionals. The discerning nature of the modern client in combination with the developing roles of professionals within the sector has transformed market dynamics and highlighted the need for reflection on measures of service quality and its provision. This paper presents a conceptualisation of value co- creation within animal healthcare based on an analysis of sector stakeholders’ service experiences. Interviews with service providers and clients provide data for content analysis and highlight the dimensions of communication and integrated care as important components of service provision. Exploratory factor analysis of qu...
First lactation milk yield and fertility of Holstein heifers reared using three milk replacer feeding regimes
A Value Co-Creation Framework to Manage Service Quality in the UK Animal Health and Veterinary Sector
This paper outlines the development of a value co-creation framework for the management of servic... more This paper outlines the development of a value co-creation framework for the management of service quality in the animal healthcare sector. A mixed-methods approach that combined depth interviews and a survey (n=663) was utilised. The research found that the key dimensions of value co-creation in the animal healthcare sector are Interaction, Access, and Location and that there are statistically significant relationships between service quality and a number of underlying value co-creation variables. The paper makes an original contribution to knowledge regarding value co-creation, client centric servicer, and management in the animal healthcare sector. Its findings will be of value to practitioners responsible for managing service provision in the animal healthcare sector and academics interested in high involvement service provision.
128 Comparison of behaviour of in-calf Holstein Friesian heifers out-wintered on fodder beet or grass with those housed over winter
Animal - science proceedings
109. A preliminary evaluation of British farmers’ perception of dairy cow-calf rearing
Animal - science proceedings
Responses to multiple chain enrichment in post weaned pigs
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science
The social stressors associated with the abrupt weaning process on commercial farms can result in... more The social stressors associated with the abrupt weaning process on commercial farms can result in significant welfare issues for pigs; including behavioural problems and aggression, decreased immunological responses, reduced live weight gain and efficiency of feed conversion (van de Weerd and Day, 2008). Slats and slurry systems in commercial housing systems for grower pigs provide a barren environment which may exacerbate these problems. Enriched environments have been shown to reduce aggression in pigs, particularly where devices that have manipulative and destructive properties are used (Scott et al, 2007). However, studies often include a single device that does not permit all animals to interact with the enrichment at any one time. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of multiple metal chain enrichment on levels of aggression in growing pigs.
Advances in Animal Biosciences, 2010
Journal of reproduction and fertility, 1998
A new two-site ELISA was validated for ovine plasma and used to measure circulating inhibin-A con... more A new two-site ELISA was validated for ovine plasma and used to measure circulating inhibin-A concentrations during a synchronized oestrous cycle in four ewes and throughout pregnancy in six ewes. Inhibin A concentrations were also determined in four ewes during chronic treatment with a GnRH agonist and after subsequent exposure to pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) to stimulate ovarian follicular development. Concentrations of FSH, LH, oestradiol and progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. The detection limit of the inhibin-A ELISA was approximately 50 pg ml-1 and no significant crossreaction was observed with a range of related molecules including activin-A, inhibin-B, activin-B, follistatin and alpha 2-macroglobulin. Inhibin-A concentrations were below the detection limit in plasma from hypophysectomized and ovariectomized ewes. During the oestrous cycle, plasma inhibin-A concentrations (approximately 0.3-0.4 ng ml-1) did not vary during the follicular phase...
Animals
Calf morbidity and mortality rates are often high in dairy herds, raising animal welfare concerns... more Calf morbidity and mortality rates are often high in dairy herds, raising animal welfare concerns and negatively affecting farm economic efficiency and future performance. Disease prevention is critical to maintain calves in good health, but interventions are dependent upon the persons conducting them. This paper explores the perceptions of farmers, farm workers, veterinarians, and other advisors on the management of calfhood disease on dairy farms in England. Participants were recruited using purposive and “snowball” sampling, resulting in 40 in-depth, semi-structured interviews—26 with dairy farmers and 14 with advisors. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically coded. Three major themes were derived on the basis of interview data: disease occurrence and treatments, management of calf environment, and the role of stockmanship and perceived control. Respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in calves were those reported to be most problematic on dairy farms. Limited t...