Scibus is a leading provider of contract research services to agribusiness, industry, animal pharmaceutical and government organisations in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and North America. It has proven capabilities in sophisticated research, field trials, meta-analysis, study design, risk assessment and statistical analysis.
The company and its staff are committed to the development and commercialisation of new technology that improves the profitability, ethical management and sustainability of livestock production.
Examples of our work (click to open):
Animal Ethics Committee
Scibus runs an accredited Animal Ethics Committee that is audited by NSW Department of Primary Industries. The committee meets regularly to review applications, make investigations of suitability and approve trial protocols. Members of the Animal Ethics Committee include a representative of an animal welfare organisation, a member of the community, a veterinarian and a research scientist.
Field Trials
Scibus runs high quality field trials suitable for the registration of products with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and other relevant international bodies. Scibus has access to an extensive network of dairy, beef and sheep operations throughout Australia, allowing us to identify a suitable location to test almost any kind of livestock feed, supplement, additive, system or treatment.
An example of our work:
Effects of Feed Additives on Rumen and Blood Profiles During a Starch and Fructose Challenge
Aim: To evaluate the effect of feed additives on the risk of ruminal acidosis in Holstein heifers (n = 40) fed starch and fructose in a challenge study.
Method: Heifers were randomly allocated to feed additive groups (n = 8 heifers/group): (1) control (no additives); (2) virginiamycin (VM); (3) monensin + tylosin (MT); (4) monensin + live yeast (MLY); and (5) sodium bicarbonate + magnesium oxide (BUF). Heifers were fed 2.5% of body weight (BW) dry matter intake (DMI) per d total mixed ration (62:38 forage:concentrate) and feed additives for a 20-d adaptation period. Fructose (0.1% of BW/d) was included for the last 10 d of the adaptation period. On d-21, heifers were challenged with a ration containing 1.0% of BW DMI wheat, 0.2% of BW fructose, and their feed additives. Rumen fluid samples obtained by stomach tube and blood samples were collected weekly as well as during a 3.6 h period on challenge day (d-21).
Results: Virginiamycin and BUF groups maintained a consistently high DMI across the 20-d adaptation period. The MLY heifers had low DMI of the challenge ration. Average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were not affected by feed additives. All rumen and plasma parameters changed weekly over adaptation and over the challenge sampling period with the exception of rumen total lactate and histamine concentrations, plasma oxidative stress index and ceruloplasmin. There was substantial within and between group variation in rumen and plasma profiles at challenge sampling. There were no significant group changes in rumen total VFA, propionate, acetate to propionate ratio, isobutyrate, caproate, isovalerate, total lactate, D- and L-lactate, and pH measures on challenge day. Acetate concentration was increased in the BUF and control groups on challenge day. Butyrate concentration was lower in the MLY and MT groups compared to other groups at challenge. Valerate concentrations were lowest in the control, VM, and BUF groups and lactate concentrations were numerically lower in the MLY, VM, and BUF groups. Total lactate concentrations were > 10 mM for each group throughout the challenge. Ammonia concentrations were lower in the MLY and MT groups. Histamine concentrations were decreased in MLY and increased in the VM and BUF groups. Plasma oxidative stress measures were not influenced by feed additives weekly or on challenge day, except for an increase in biological antioxidant potential in the control, VM, and MT groups on challenge day.
Conclusion: Despite the large within animal variation, all feed additives modified rumen function and may influence the risk of acidosis by different mechanisms; however, none stabilized the rumen in all heifers.
Epidemiology, meta-analysis and statistical analysis
Scibus conducts some of the most sophisticated statistical and epidemiological investigations available. It is a world leader in meta-analysis and routinely uses advanced statistical methods, including survival analysis, cluster analysis, bayesian and mixed-model single and multivariable analyses. Many of these analyses have been published in peer review journals and conference proceedings. Scibus also conducts risk assessment analysis for government and research organisations.
Publications
Ruminal Acidosis
Lameness
Milk Fever
Ketosis
Reproduction
Transition Feeding
Rumen Modification
Beef Performance
Body Condition Scoring
Other Meta-Analyses
Other Studies
Scibus conducts a wide range of other studies, including market research, economic evaluations, scoping studies, agronomic trials, product safety trials and trial designs.
Nitrogen Update 2021 by Neil Moss
Cattle, Climate and Complexity – ACV Virtual Conference November 2021 – Ian Lean
Tips On Reducing Lameness and Keeping Cows Moving 2022
American Dairy Science Association Meeting Kansas City Abstracts
Mastitis Prevention in Wet Conditions
Tax Break for Farms Driving Carbon Cuts
Abstracts American Dairy Science Association Meeting Kansas City June 2022.pdf