Profiles
Megan Verdon
Megan Verdon
Senior Research Fellow
Room A1-06 , Building A, Cradle Coast Campus
0499 898 028 (phone)
Megan Verdon is a Senior Research Fellow at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture. She is interested in the development of livestock systems that achieve continual improvement in animal welfare and productivity. Her expertise includes confinement free sow housing systems, the use of virtual fencing technology to manage intensively grazed cattle and alternative rearing systems for dairy calves. Her current research focusses on opportunities for cow-calf suckling and the management of surplus calves in dairy systems.
Biography
Megan took the long path to find her career an animal welfare scientist. She received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and the History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Melbourne in 2007. After a period working as an industrial chemist, Megan retuned to the University of Melbourne where she completed in a Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Science and Management. These studies introduced Megan to the discipline of animal welfare science, and in 2010 she commenced a PhD at the Animal Welfare Science Centre (AWSC) and the University of Melbourne. Her PhD studies explored the development of aggressive behaviour in sows, and how variability in aggressive behaviour related to individual performance in a group. Megan received the Australian Government Science and Innovation Award while her completing her PhD. She used this to study the effect of pre-weaning social experiences on the behavioural development of pigs. She also collaborated with industry to develop a novel ‘group-lactation’ housing system, which housed litters of pigs and their sows were housed together in groups rather than as individual litters with a confined sow (‘farrowing crate’). In 2015 Megan was employed as a postdoctoral research fellow at the AWSC where she continued her research into the welfare and production implications of group-lactation systems. She joined the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) as a research fellow in December 2016 to work on a project which assessed new “Virtual Fencing” technology to manage grazing livestock. Megan currently leads TIA’s ‘Animal production and welfare’ research group as well as several programs of research at TIA, including one addressing the slaughter of young male calves and another designing a cow-calf suckling system for pasture-based dairies.
Career summary
Qualifications
Degree | Thesis title | University | Country | Date of award |
PhD | Sow aggression in groups: Predicting and implications for sow welfare | University of Melbourne | Australia | 16/10/2014 |
Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Science and Management (Dean’s honour) | University of Melbourne | Australia | 1/7/2010 | |
B. Sci | University of Melbourne | Australia | 2007 |
Memberships
Professional practice
Committee for the National Animal Welfare RD&E Strategy
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
- Pigs
- Dairy
- Aggressive behaviour
- Individual variation in behaviour
- Maternal effects on development
Research Themes
Megan’s research aligns to the University’s research theme of Environment, Resources and Sustainability. Grazing livestock systems play an important economic and socio-cultural role in the wellbeing of rural communities. Intensification of these systems draws attention and concern regarding social, animal, and environmental impacts. Grazing systems need to address these concerns or risk losing their social license to operate. Megan’s research functions at the nexus of animal welfare, animal productivity and social acceptance to develop the next generation of grazing livestock systems. By proactively addressing changing societal concerns Megan’s research aims to protect the sustainability of pastoral livestock farming systems in Australia, and thus the communities these industries support.
Awards
2020 UTAS Vice Chancellors Early Career Researcher Award 2020
2020 Commendation for Service Excellence to College of Sciences and Engineering
2017 Research Integrity and Ethics Awards
2014 Australian Department pf Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Science and Innovation Award
2011 Deans Honours
2010 Australian Pork Limited Postgraduate Research Scholarship Award
Current projects
Current projects include:
(1) Increasing farm profitability and consumer acceptance through increased utilisation of non-replacement dairy calves.
(2) Assessing the viability and implications of a cow-calf rearing system for pasture-based dairy production.
(3) The effect of early life experience with non-maternal cows on behavioural development of heifers.
Fields of Research
- Animal management (300302)
- Animal behaviour (310901)
- Animal welfare (300306)
- Agronomy (300403)
- Animal growth and development (300301)
- Agricultural systems analysis and modelling (300207)
- Pattern recognition (460308)
- Animal nutrition (300303)
Research Objectives
- Animal welfare (109902)
- Dairy cattle (100402)
- Pigs (100410)
- Beef cattle (100401)
- Environmentally sustainable animal production (100199)
- Sheep for wool (100413)
- Sown pastures (excl. lucerne) (100505)
Publications
Megan’s positive engagement with industry and other research providers has led to collaborative research and shared supervision of PhD students. She led a program of research within a $3.8 M Rural R&D for Profit collaboration of research providers, livestock industries and a commercial technology development organisation. This 4-year project assessed new “Virtual Fencing” technology to manage grazing livestock. Her collaborations with scientists from CSIRO and the University of Melbourne (UoM) have led to funding for research on ethical calf rearing in dairy systems and shared supervision of 3 PhD students. In 2019 Megan and her colleagues collaborated with industry to secure a $1.8 M grant from Dairy Australia (DA) and in 2020 she was part of a team that engaged with DA to obtain funding in a $6.5 M agreement.
Total publications
26
Journal Article
(18 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Verdon M, 'A review of factors affecting the welfare of dairy calves in pasture-based production systems', Animal Production Science ISSN 1836-0939 (In Press) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1071/AN21139 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1 | |
| 2021 | Langworthy AD, Verdon V, Freeman MJ, Corkrey R, Hills JL, et al., 'Virtual fencing technology to intensively graze lactating dairy cattle I: Technology efficacy and pasture utilization', Journal of Dairy Science pp. 1-13. ISSN 0022-0302 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19796 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 4 Co-authors: Langworthy AD; Freeman MJ; Corkrey R; Hills JL; Rawnsley RP | |
| 2021 | Verdon M, Horton B, Rawnsley R, 'A case study on the use of virtual fencing to intensively graze Angus heifers using moving front and back-fences', Frontiers in Animal Science, 2 Article 663963. ISSN 2673-6225 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.663963 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Horton B; Rawnsley R | |
| 2021 | Verdon M, Langworthy A, Rawnsley R, 'Virtual fencing technology to intensively graze lactating dairy cattle II: Effects on cow welfare and behavior', Journal of Dairy Science pp. 1-11. ISSN 0022-0302 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19797 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 2 Co-authors: Langworthy A; Rawnsley R | |
| 2020 | Verdon M, Lee C, Marini D, Rawnsley R, 'Pre-exposure to an electrical stimulus primes associative pairing of audio and electrical stimuli for dairy heifers in a virtual fencing feed attractant trial', Animals, 10, (2) Article 217. ISSN 2076-2615 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3390/ani10020217 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 8Web of Science - 8 | |
| 2020 | Verdon M, Rawnsley R, 'The effects of dairy heifer age at training on rate of learning and retention of learning in a virtual fencing feed attractant trial', Frontiers in Animal Science, 1 Article 4. ISSN 2673-6225 (2020) [Refereed Article] Co-authors: Rawnsley R | |
| 2020 | Verdon MJ, Morrison RS, Rault J-L, 'The welfare and productivity of sows and piglets in group lactation from 7, 10, or 14 d postpartum', Journal of Animal Science, 98, (3) Article 037. ISSN 0021-8812 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa037 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 5 | |
| 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: Scopus - 7Web of Science - 8 | |
| 2019 | Verdon M, Morrison RS, Rault JL, 'Group lactation from 7 or 14 days of age reduces piglet aggression at weaning compared to farrowing crate housing', Animal, 13, (10) pp. 2327-2335. ISSN 1751-7311 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1017/S1751731119000478 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 8Web of Science - 8 | |
| 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] DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.02.016 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 4 | |
| 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 - 11Web of Science - 11 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 - 3Web of Science - 3 | |
| 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 - 43Web of Science - 45 | |
| 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 - 27Web of Science - 26 | |
| 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 - 16Web of Science - 15 |
Chapter in Book
(2 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Verdon M, 'Aggression between sows', Pigs: Welfare in Practice, 5m Publishing, I Camerlink (ed), Sheffield, UK, pp. 134-135. ISBN 9781789181050 (2020) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 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 - 17 |
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 - 56Web of Science - 52 |
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
Funding Summary
Number of grants
12
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- This project will assess the growth and health of dairy-beef crossbred calves reared on a grain-free calf starter in comparison to a traditional grain-based starter. Data on growth, health events, concentrate consumption, time to weaning (based on weaning at 100 kg and consuming 1 kg grain/day for 3 consecutive days) and post-weaning growth will be collected.
- Funding
- Dairy Australia Limited ($11,603); Greenham Tasmania Pty Ltd ($33,151)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Verdon MJ
- Year
- 2022
- 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
- A multifaceted research approach is required to address the pressing challenges of high synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use, non-replacement dairy calves, and skill shortages of the Tasmanian dairy community. We propose to resolve these challenges by building on our prior projects and expertise, through the following three fields of work: Feedbase Research Achieve 20 tonnes of dry matter utilisation from irrigated pasture and 2000 kg milk solids per hectare with only 200 kg of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. Welfare Research and Development Reduce the number of non-replacement dairy calves slaughtered at an early age by 50% by increasing carcass value and reducing rearing and finishing costs. Extension Enhancing and developing skills in the Tasmanian dairy community to support sustainable growth of pasture-based farming systems.
- Funding
- Dairy Australia Limited ($3,277,567)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Hills JL; Langworthy A; Raedts PJM; Gee CM; McLaren D; Verdon MJ; Snare TA; Millhouse BJ
- Period
- 2020 - 2026
- 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 focuses on sustainable and profitable growth in Tasmanias pasture based dairy industry. In this 16-month project proposal we will research and combine the accessible and emerging technologies and practices that are driving productivity and efficiency improvements, with the industrys desire to address consumer expectations with respect to environmental management (our environment), animal welfare (our cows) and our people.This will be achieved by focusing on 5 areas of work that relate to our environment, our cows and our people1.Nitrogen efficiency in highly productive systems (environment).2.Novel grazing practices in large grass-fed dairy systems (cows).3.Addressing and preparing for changing social values with respect to animal welfare (cows).4.Regional people and skills shortages (People).5.Building capacity in the Tasmanian dairy industry (People).The proposed integrated RD&E program is designed with 16 months of activities + a five year time horizon, at the request of the funder, Dairy Australia.
- Funding
- Dairy Australia Limited ($1,079,830)
- Scheme
- Grant-Research and Development
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Rawnsley RP; Hills JL; Raedts PJM; Irvine LD; Turner LR; Langworthy A; Jones S; Flight S; Gee CM; Verdon MJ; Snare RD
- Period
- 2019 - 2021
- 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
Current
2
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Effect of Rearing Environment on Heifer Stress Resilience, Productivity and Welfare Around their 1st Calving | 2020 |
| PhD | Increasing utilisation of non-replacement dairy calves in Australia | 2021 |