Profiles
Megan Verdon
Megan Verdon
Research Fellow
Room A1-06 , Building A
0409 640 452 (phone)
Dr Megan Verdon is a Research Fellow at the Dairy Centre in the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture. Megan has experience in animal behaviour and welfare, and is undertaking research into virtual fencing for dairy cows.
Biography
Before joining the University of Tasmania, Megan was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Animal Welfare Science Centre at The University of Melbourne, where she also completed her PhD studies.
Career summary
Qualifications
| Degree | Thesis Title | University | Country | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Sow aggression in groups: Predicting and implications for sow welfare | University of Melbourne | Australia | 2014 |
| Postgraduate Diploma Animal Science and Management | University of Melbourne | Australia | 2010 | |
| B. Sci (Chemistry major) | University of Melbourne | Australia | 2007 |
Memberships
Professional practice
- International Society of Applied Ethology
- Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
View more on Dr Megan Verdon in WARP
Expertise
- Social behaviour of animals
- Animal behaviour
- Animal welfare
- Pig
- Dairy
- Aggressive behaviour
- Individual variation
- Animal personalities
Research Themes
Megan’s research aligns to the University’s research theme of Environment, Resources and Sustainability. Her research interests include understanding the complex relationships between social behaviour, welfare and productivity of animals. Her previous research has demonstrated that, while an individual animal may have a general tendency to deliver more or less aggression, they may also display flexibility around this general tendency depending on prior experiences and the environment (including the social environment). Megan believes that recognising the social needs of production animals and manipulating the commercial system to support the natural development and expression of social behaviour will achieve continued advancement in animal welfare and productivity.
Awards
- Australian Government, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Science and Innovation Awards (2014)
- Dean’s Honours (2011)
- Australian Pork Limited Postgraduate Research Scholarship Award (2010)
Fields of Research
- Animal Behaviour (060801)
- Animal Management (070203)
- Pattern Recognition and Data Mining (080109)
Research Objectives
- Animal Welfare (839901)
- Pigs (830308)
- Environmentally Sustainable Animal Production (839899)
- Sheep - Wool (830311)
- Dairy Cattle (830302)
Publications
Megan has published six research papers in peer-reviewed journals, and has presented at seven scientific domestic and international conferences. She is first author on a literature review that was the 8th most frequently downloaded article from the prestigious Journal of Animal Science in 2015. She has just completed a book chapter on aggression in commercial pigs that will be published in 2017. She regularly reviews articles for the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
Total publications
17
Journal Article
(10 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Verdon M, Morrison RS, Rault J-L, 'Sow and piglet behaviour in group lactation housing from 7 or 14 days postpartum', Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 214 pp. 25-33. ISSN 0168-1591 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.03.001 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 1 | |
| 2018 | Verdon M, Morrison RS, Hemsworth PH, 'Forming groups of aggressive sows based on a predictive test of aggression does not affect overall sow aggression or welfare', Behavioural Processes, 150 pp. 17-24. ISSN 0376-6357 (2018) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2018 | Verdon M, Rawnsley R, Raedts P, Freeman M, 'The behaviour and productivity of mid-lactation dairy cows provided daily pasture allowance over 2 or 7 intensively grazed strips', Animals, 8, (7) Article 115. ISSN 2076-2615 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ani8070115 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 4 Co-authors: Rawnsley R; Raedts P; Freeman M | |
| 2018 | Verdon M, Zegarra N, Achayra R, Hemsworth PH, 'Floor feeding sows their daily allocation over multiple drops per day does not result in more equitable feeding opportunities in later drops', Animals, 8, (6) Article 86. ISSN 1751-7311 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ani8060086 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 1 | |
| 2017 | Verdon M, Morrison RS, Rault J-L, 'Group-lactation housing form 7 or 14 days post-partum: effects on piglet behaviour', Animal Production Science, 57, (12) pp. 2450-2450. ISSN 1836-0939 (2017) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] | |
| 2017 | Verdon M, Morrison RS, Rault J-L, 'Group-lactaion housing from 7 or 14 days post partum: effects on sow behaviour', Animal Production Science, 57, (12) pp. 2461-2461. ISSN 1836-0939 (2017) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] | |
| 2017 | Verdon M, Morrison RS, Rice M, Butler KL, Hemsworth PH, 'The short-term behavioural response of sows, but not gilts, to a social stimulus is related to sow aggressiveness in groups', Behavioural Processes, 140 pp. 216-225. ISSN 0376-6357 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2017.04.013 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 1 | |
| 2016 | Singh C, Verdon M, Cronin GM, Hemsworth PH, 'The behaviour and welfare of sows and piglets in farrowing crates or lactation pens', Animal, 11, (7) pp. 1210-1221. ISSN 1751-7311 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1017/S1751731116002573 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 18Web of Science - 19 | |
| 2016 | Verdon M, Morrison RS, Hemsworth PH, 'Rearing piglets in multi-litter group lactation systems: effects on piglet aggression and injuries post-weaning', Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 183 pp. 35-41. ISSN 0168-1591 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.05.008 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 18Web of Science - 18 | |
| 2016 | Verdon M, Morrison RS, Rice M, Hemsworth PH, 'Individual variation in sow aggressive behavior and its relationship with sow welfare', Journal of Animal Science, 94, (3) pp. 1203-1214. ISSN 0021-8812 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-0006 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 12Web of Science - 11 |
Chapter in Book
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Verdon M, Rault J-L, 'Aggression in group housed sows and fattening pigs', Advances in Pig Welfare, Woodhead Publishing, M Spinka (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 235-260. ISBN 9780081010129 (2018) [Research Book Chapter] DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-08-101012-9.00006-X [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6 |
Review
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Verdon M, Hansen CF, Rault J-L, Jongman LU, Hansen LU, et al., 'Effects of group housing on sow welfare: a review', Journal of Animal Science, 93, (5) pp. 1999-2017. ISSN 0021-8812 (2015) [Substantial Review] DOI: 10.2527/jas2014-8742 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 35Web of Science - 33 |
Conference Publication
(5 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Zegarra N, Hemsworth PH, Verdon M, 'Floor feeding over multiple drops does not increase feeding opportunities for submissive sows', Proceedings of the 51st Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, 7-10 August 2017, Aarhus, Denmark, pp. 177. (2017) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2015 | Rault J-L, Ho H, Verdon M, Hemsworth P, 'Feeding behaviour, aggression and dominance in group-housed sows', Animal Production Science, 22-25 November, Melbourne, pp. 1495. ISSN 1836-0939 (2015) [Refereed Conference Paper] | |
| 2015 | Verdon M, Morrison RS, Hemsworth PH, 'Short and long-term repeatability of individual sow aggressiveness', Animal Production Science, 22-25 November, Melbourne, pp. 1512. ISSN 1836-0939 (2015) [Refereed Conference Paper] | |
| 2015 | Verdon M, Morrison RS, Hemsworth PH, 'The effects of group lactation sow housing on aggression and injuries in weaner pigs', Proceedings of the 49th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology: Ethology for sustainable society, 14-17 September, Sapporo, Japan, pp. 63. ISBN 978-90-8686-271-9 (2015) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2013 | Verdon M, Morrison R, Rice M, Hemsworth PH, 'Group-housed sows who engage in aggression after mixing have reduced injuries and gain more weight', Proceedings of the 47th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology: Applied Ethology: understanding behaviour to improve livelihood, 02-06 June, Florianopolis, Brazil, pp. 68. ISBN 9789086867790 (2013) [Refereed Conference Paper] |
Grants & Funding
In total, Megan has attracted over $253,000 of funding through scholarships, awards and competitive grants.This includes three successful industry projects and the 2014 Australian Federal Government’s Science and Innovation Award for Young People in Agriculture. Megan’s current research involves a large industry and multi-university collaboration that is largely funded through the Australian Government’s Rural Research and Development for Profit programme.
Funding Summary
Number of grants
9
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- Synthetic review that will produce new knowledge and identify opportunities for practical and effective enrichment programs in Australian livestock industries.
- Funding
- University of New England ($10,000)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Verdon MJ
- Year
- 2020
- Description
- This project will investigate the benefits to production and sustainability in the adoption and application of advanced management technologies (AMTs), such as the AWI SmartTags, in several high performing wool producing properties in Tasmania. The objective of this project is to (1) create national and global visibility of the on-farm adoption of AMTs, and (2) demonstrate the use of AMTs in supporting practices associated with high quality, sustainable and socially acceptable wool and sheep production systems. This phase 1 project will support a potentially longer-term commitment between contributing parties and broader collaboration with a range of supply chain stakeholders
- Funding
- Australian Wool Innovation Limited ($50,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Research and Development Open Call
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Horton BJ; Verdon MJ; Andrewartha SJ; Kang BH; Cao Z; Chinthammit W; Bailey AN
- Year
- 2020
- Description
- This project aims through the use of virtual fencing/herding technology to improve the productivity and profitability of livestock enterprises through optimising the management of individual grazing animals and better matching their requirements with feed availability.
- Funding
- Department of Agriculture ($2,600,000)
- Collaborators
- Australian Pork Limited ($20,000); Australian Wool Innovation Limited ($170,000); Dairy Australia Limited ($400,000); Meat and Livestock Australia ($200,000); University of Melbourne ($120,000); University of New England ($90,000); University of Sydney ($180,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Rural R&D for Profit program
- Administered By
- Dairy Australia Limited
- Research Team
- Tomkins N; Swan P; D'Souza D; Henry D; Rawnsley RP; Hills JL; Freeman MJ; Verdon MJ; Langworthy A
- Period
- 2017 - 2020
- Funding
- Pork Co-operative Research Centre ($18,821)
- Scheme
- Industry innovation grant
- Administered By
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne
- Research Team
- Verdon M; Morrison R; Hemsworth P
- Year
- 2015
- Funding
- Pork Co-operative Research Centre ($124,888)
- Scheme
- Industry grant
- Administered By
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne
- Research Team
- Rault J; Verdon M; Morrison R
- Year
- 2015
- Funding
- Australian Government, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries ($22,000)
- Scheme
- Science and Innovation Award
- Administered By
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne
- Research Team
- Verdon M
- Year
- 2015
- Funding
- Australian Pork Limited ($114,000)
- Scheme
- Study Award
- Administered By
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne
- Research Team
- Verdon M
- Period
- 2015 - 2017
- Funding
- Pork Co-operative Research Centre ($124,888)
- Scheme
- Industry grant
- Administered By
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne
- Research Team
- Rault J; Verdon M; Morrison R
- Year
- 2015
- Funding
- Australian Pork Limited ($114,000)
- Scheme
- Study Award
- Administered By
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne
- Research Team
- Verdon M
- Period
- 2015 - 2017
Research Supervision
Megan has successfully supervised three Masters students, is on the advisory committee for one PhD candidate and co-supervisor to a second. She hopes to find a PhD candidate who is enthusiastic about social behaviour and animal welfare to work within her current research program that is investigating virtual herding technology in dairy cows.
Current
1
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Effect of Rearing Environment on Heifer Stress Resilience, Productivity and Welfare Around their 1st Calving | 2020 |