By: Casey L. Bradley, Ph.D. - November 21st, 2024; President and Founder of Animistic
A passion for innovation and predictive health management in animal nutrition has driven Dr. Casey Bradley’s career. Her journey began in Dr. Charles Maxwell’s laboratory at the University of Arkansas, where she conducted pioneering research on animal biomarkers, laying the groundwork for today’s focus on biomarkers in animal health. Through early work on immunology assays and nutritional solutions for challenged pigs, Dr. Bradley sparked a lifelong commitment to advancing animal health and performance prediction using science-based strategies.
As her career progressed, Dr. Bradley embraced opportunities to develop cutting-edge solutions for preventative care in livestock. During her tenure as Regional Innovation Manager at DSM, she contributed to the launch of the DSM-Firmenich and Verax program, leveraging biomarkers to assess and optimize health outcomes. Today, through Animistic, Dr. Bradley and her team provide support to poultry producers interested in incorporating Verax into their operations. Animistic helps producers make informed, data-driven decisions for flock health and performance by offering tools and expertise for implementation and biomarker analysis.
In this discussion, we’ll explore key biomarkers addressing some of the most pressing challenges in animal health today. From calprotectin as an indicator of gut health to hemoglobin for iron status monitoring, these tools represent a proactive approach to animal nutrition and management. Additionally, we’ll highlight the Verax program as a comprehensive biomarker package for poultry producers, empowering them to prevent problems before they start.
Successfully integrating biomarkers in animal health into production systems requires practical, low-stress collection methods. No one understands the tedious, time-consuming, and physically demanding nature of collecting biological samples from diverse species like Dr. Bradley. She often jokes about her “Sow Knee,” a lasting reminder of her encounters with feisty sows during her research. Her experiences range from managing aggressive animals during snaring and weighing to working in fast-paced, understaffed production environments as a sow farm manager at New Fashion Pork. These first-hand experiences have instilled in her a deep appreciation for the cascading effects that even small changes can have on live production systems.
Incorporating additional steps or tasks, no matter how small, can ripple through the system, leading to skipped procedures, increased animal stress, and ultimately, declines in performance or the emergence of disease challenges. It’s like knocking over a single domino that creates a chain reaction.
The approach must extend beyond theoretical academic frameworks to successfully integrate biomarker sampling into predictive health management systems. Sampling opportunities should align with existing production schedules to minimize disruption, such as during necropsies, birthing processes, or vaccination events. Innovations like rope saliva collection in swine illustrate a practical, low-labor solution for population-level sampling, reducing stress on both the animals and workers. These advancements align with the increasing emphasis on non-invasive sampling methods, as discussed in research by Ducatelle et al. (2018), which highlights the critical need for biomarkers that are easy to collect and analyze in intensive animal farming.
However, transitioning from blood sampling to alternatives like saliva or feces comes with trade-offs. While less invasive, individual sample collection can sometimes be as labor-intensive as traditional methods. Additional challenges include proper sample handling and processing, ensuring timely delivery to the lab, and managing delays in receiving results for intervention.
Despite these constraints, advancements in biotechnology offer promising solutions. Emerging point-of-care diagnostic tools are beginning to bridge the gap between research and practical application, providing faster and more accessible options for real-time monitoring. As highlighted by Barbosa et al. (2021), tools like fecal calprotectin assays demonstrate how non-invasive methods can effectively detect inflammation in production systems while reducing workload and animal stress. These innovations have the potential to extend beyond traditional veterinary clinics, revolutionizing diagnostics in the livestock industry and paving the way for more proactive, efficient health management strategies.
The podcast series on anemia in swine from The Real P3 Podcast provides an excellent platform to explore the practical applications of hemoglobin as a biomarker for monitoring and addressing anemia in sows and piglets. Hemoglobin levels serve as a critical indicator of iron status and overall health, shedding light on challenges like reproductive performance, longevity, and piglet outcomes.
The Anemia in Pigs Series is still available on The Real P3 Podcast on any major steaming platform or listen directly to each episode now.
Calprotectin is a key player among biomarkers in animal health, providing critical insights into gut integrity and inflammation detection. This calcium- and zinc-binding protein, released by neutrophils, plays a crucial role in the innate immune response and serves as a measurable indicator of gut health disturbances. By assessing fecal calprotectin levels, producers can detect intestinal inflammation early, often before clinical symptoms manifest.
Research consistently highlights the value of biomarkers in animal health programs for detecting low-grade inflammation and gut barrier issues early:
For poultry producers seeking advanced tools to monitor and enhance animal health, the Verax program offers a complete biomarker-based solution. This innovative system enables producers to address challenges proactively and optimize flock performance through actionable insights derived from key health indicators.
The Verax program is designed specifically for poultry operations to measure and analyze biomarkers related to gut health, inflammation, and metabolic stress. By providing early detection of potential issues, Verax supports more informed decision-making and proactive health management strategies.
Biomarkers are transforming animal health management, offering the tools needed to shift from reactive to proactive care. From calprotectin’s role in gut health diagnostics to hemoglobin’s insights into iron status, these indicators enable producers to address challenges before they escalate, optimizing health, welfare, and performance.
For poultry producers, the Verax Program provides a comprehensive biomarker package tailored to the unique demands of the industry. With real-time insights into gut health and performance, Verax supports early intervention and data-driven decisions. Additionally, Animistic offers Alimetrics’ advanced gut health assays, providing in-depth analysis for specific challenges.
Looking for a solution tailored to your operation? Animistic can help you design a custom biomarker model to meet the unique needs of your animals and production systems.
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Book a Call Now and let us help you turn biomarker insights into actionable solutions for thriving animals and thriving businesses.
Ducatelle et al. (2018): Ducatelle, Richard, et al. “Biomarkers for Monitoring Intestinal Health in Poultry: Present Status and Future Perspectives.” Veterinary Research, vol. 49, no. 1, 2018, p. 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13567-018-0538-6.
Barbosa et al. (2021): Barbosa, Jéssica A., et al. “Experimental Infectious Challenge in Pigs Leads to Elevated Fecal Calprotectin Levels Following Colitis, but Not Enteritis.” Porcine Health Management, vol. 7, no. 1, 2021, p. 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-021-00228-9.
