A four-year interdisciplinary project researching how livestock disease is influenced by nature and culture, science and society, and the actions of humans and livestock.

• Project Dates: September 2018 – August 2022
• Project Leader: Professor Abigail Woods, University of Lincoln
• Staff: Dr Amy Proctor, Dr Beth Clark, Sue Bradley
• Sponsors: Wellcome Trust under grant 209818/Z/17/Z
• Partners: University of Lincoln, University of Hull, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, Leeds Trinity University, Museum of English Rural Life

Livestock disease is a complex problem threatening the development of more sustainable, ethical and efficient farming methods. FIELD is looking specifically at endemic diseases, defined as those which are continually present in particular regions or populations. We focus on two common examples in Britain: Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) in cows, and lameness in sheep and cattle. These conditions cannot be caught by humans, but they do have an impact on animal health and production. FIELD asks how approaches to livestock disease in the past have informed the way they are managed today. How can the study of disease in the present improve understandings of its past impacts? And how can this knowledge be used to develop better predictions and ways of combating disease in the future?

Traditionally, research into livestock disease has taken place within single academic disciplines. however, many of farming’s current challenges cut across disciplines and call for a more integrated approach. FIELD uses methods from science, social science and the humanities to develop interdisciplinary understandings of the biological, social and historical aspects of disease. Through our research and innovative public engagement programme we aim to:

• Interrogate the causes and impacts of endemic livestock disease over time.
• Understand what endemic diseases mean to different stakeholders.
• Build computer models to simulate the impact of different scenarios on the future spread of endemic disease.
• Better understand farmer and consumer perspectives about livestock disease and its relationship to animal welfare.
• Identify interventions that could potentially enhance livestock health, farming resilience, and consumer trust tin the industry.

Contact: Dr Amy Proctor: amy.proctor@ncl.ac.uk

Homepage: https://field-wt.co.uk/