Improving the diagnosis, management and control of chlamydial infections in Australian livestock. Chlamydial diseases, such as arthritis and encephalomyelitis, are associated with significant economic losses for Australian livestock producers. Effective surveillance and management of Chlamydia infections is problematic due to: the absence of epidemiological data; the lack of an accurate and easily interpretable diagnostic test; and the lack of an available vaccine. This project aims to evaluate ....Improving the diagnosis, management and control of chlamydial infections in Australian livestock. Chlamydial diseases, such as arthritis and encephalomyelitis, are associated with significant economic losses for Australian livestock producers. Effective surveillance and management of Chlamydia infections is problematic due to: the absence of epidemiological data; the lack of an accurate and easily interpretable diagnostic test; and the lack of an available vaccine. This project aims to evaluate factors associated with chlamydial disease in Australian livestock and thereby improve on-farm diagnosis. With the concomitant development of a chlamydial vaccine for sheep, this project aims to provide veterinarians and producers with important tools to reduce the on-farm impacts of chlamydial disease.Read moreRead less
Synchronising phosphorus fertilisation with plant phosphorus demand: a tactic to reduce phosphorus transfer from land to water. Phosphorus loss from intensive pasture systems is a major issue internationally due to the pollution and nutrient enrichment of water ways. This study will examine how a strategy of synchronising phosphorus (P) fertiliser to periods of high P demand in ryegrass (Lolium perenne) may be used to improve the efficiency of P uptake and thereby reduce P losses in surface run ....Synchronising phosphorus fertilisation with plant phosphorus demand: a tactic to reduce phosphorus transfer from land to water. Phosphorus loss from intensive pasture systems is a major issue internationally due to the pollution and nutrient enrichment of water ways. This study will examine how a strategy of synchronising phosphorus (P) fertiliser to periods of high P demand in ryegrass (Lolium perenne) may be used to improve the efficiency of P uptake and thereby reduce P losses in surface runoff. Simple models will be used to identify the key risk factors associated with surface P loss in order to improve the sustainability of P fertiliser use in pasture systems.Read moreRead less