Jake Delaney

Project title: Epidemiology and impact of ovine infectious lameness in Irish Flocks. 

Overview: Jake is analysing the effect of infectious lameness within flocks and is aiming at developing a tailored evidence based guidance protocol for farmers and advisors to use in order to treat, control and prevent lameness outbreaks within flocks.

Outbreaks of infectious lameness on flock has the potential to cause a detrimental impact on flock productivity and welfare, leading to issues ranging from increased lamb and ewe mortality to lower conception rates and body condition score. The economic impact of infectious lameness in Irish flocks has not yet be quantified by it is estimated to cost UK flocks upwards of £24 million per year with UK sheep farmers sighing infectious lameness as their highest cause of corner for sheep health. 

Jakes bachelor’s degree was in Agricultural Science which he completed in Waterford Institute of Technology, where he developed a keen interest in infectious ovine lameness and their causes, treatments and control methods.

Programme Area: Animal and Bioscience 

Supervisors: Dr Frank Campion, Dr Aine Macken-Walsh, Dr Emmet Kelly, Prof Tommy Boland, Dr. Joseph Angell, and Dr. Catherine McAloon 

Location: Teagasc Athenry, Co. Galway

Funding Source: Teagasc