Source: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS submitted to NRP
14TH NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL ISAE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1022274
Grant No.
2020-67015-31135
Cumulative Award Amt.
$20,000.00
Proposal No.
2019-07856
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2020
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2022
Grant Year
2020
Program Code
[A1251]- Animal Health and Production and Animal Products: Animal Well-Being
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
410 MRAK HALL
DAVIS,CA 95616-8671
Performing Department
Animal Science
Non Technical Summary
The International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) is a professional association focused on the scientific study of applied animal behavior. ISAE members research a wide variety of animal species and topics in order to generate and disseminate science-based information on animal welfare issues. The research focus of ISAE members spans both animal species and topics, such as the management and welfare of livestock, the interactions between humans and companion animals, and the impacts of housing on the behavior and welfare of zoo and laboratory animals. The work of ISAE members has played a significant role in the development of animal welfare public policy within the United States, as well as global policies.As a scientific society, we hold an annual international conference and a bi-annual regional meeting for the presentation and discussion of advances in applied animal behavior science. Our regional meetings are student-centered events that highlight presentations of original research by both undergraduate and graduate students. One of the features of the North American ISAE meeting is a student competition, with prizes for both presentations and posters at the graduate and undergraduate level. These regional meetings provide unique opportunities for students to interact with respected scientists in the field, and thus, inspire the next generation of animal welfare scholars in North America.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3063410106020%
3073410106020%
3063610106020%
3073840106020%
3063399106020%
Goals / Objectives
The International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) is a professional association focused on the scientific study of applied animal behavior. The 14th North American Regional Meeting of the ISAE will take place May 1-2, 2020 at the University of California, Davis. We anticipate excellent attendance for our regional meeting, based on the fact that UC Davis is home to the largest group of animal welfare researchers in the US (Center for Animal Welfare), the number one veterinary school in the nation, as well as the world-renowned graduate program in animal behavior.Specific objectives of the proposed conference are:1. To provide a venue for the discussion of current solutions to animal welfare related issues among researchers and stakeholders in North America.2. To facilitate presentations of original research by students, as well as opportunities for engagement with leading scholars in animal welfare science.
Project Methods
We have planned a strong scientific program for the 14th North American Regional Meeting, together with social events, to facilitate networking among students and scientists. Based on the number of abstracts submitted (68), we anticipate approximately 120-150 attendees for the 14th Regional Meeting of ISAE at UC Davis in May 2020, with over 70% of conference participants being graduate student trainees. We will begin the first day with a short welcome by the organizing committee chair, Dr. Kristina Horback, followed by six oral presentations under the theme of `Health and Pain' and an hour session for poster presentations. After lunch on the first day, Dr. Helene Dillard, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, will give a brief talk welcoming everyone to UC Davis. This will be followed by a 45-min keynote lecture by Dr. Gail Patricelli of the Department of Evolution and Ecology at UC Davis. Dr. Patricelli is a leading expert in the research of visual and acoustic communication in birds. After the keynote lecture, we will have the second hour-long poster session, followed by three oral presentations under the theme of `Human-Animal Interaction'. The first day of the meeting will conclude a banquet dinner, as is tradition for the ISAE regional meetings. This banquet will take place at the converted horse barn of the UC Davis equine facilities, with no rental fee for use of the venue. The second conference day will be balanced among 11 oral presentations under the theme of `Housing and Management' and one final hour-long poster presentation session. After the award ceremony for the 6 student prizes (top three poster and oral presentations), and short closing remarks by Dr. Maja Makagon, the second day will conclude with a reception on the Moss Patio of the conference venue.

Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:The 14th North American Regional Meeting of the ISAE will provide a venue for leading scholars (ie, current university faculty) to effectively communicate with the next generation of scientists of applied animal behavior (ie, graduate students) as well as key stakeholders in animal health and care (ie, veterinary pharmaceutical companies, producers and retailers of animal-based products) for the continuous improvement of the welfare of animals under human care. Changes/Problems:A major change for this conference grant was the delay in use of funds given the postponement of the conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This conference was originally planned for May 2020, but was postponed twice given the uncertainty of social gathering due to quarantine and travel restrictions. A no cost extension was requested and approved for this conference grant to allow the regional meeting to take place in April 2022. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This conference provided the opportunity for 52 graduate students to present their original research via two poster and five oral sessions (topics: Human-Animal Interaction, Feeding Behavior, Social Behavior, Pain, and, Housing/Management). This conference also provided opportunities for engagement with leading scholars in animal welfare science with two lunch sessions and a banquet dinner. This was the first in-person conference for ISAE at large since the pandemic, and therefore, this regional meeting provided students with opportunity to practice the essential skill of presenting science live, in-person, as well as initiating conversations with peers and scholars. We had three student awards for top poster presentation and three student awards for top oral presentation. Award winners came from both US and Canadian universities, and subject matter ranged from cat to cattle behavior and welfare. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The proceedings of this regional meeting have been shared to the host website (Center for Animal Welfare, UC Davis) as well as the scientific society's website (ISAE). In addition, the summary of the regional meeting events and student awards was shared with the US and Canadian ISAE members via the monthly newsletter. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The original goals for this project were both accomplished: 1. The event provided a venue for the discussion of current solutions to animal welfare related issues among researchers and stakeholders in North America. 2. The event facilitated presentations of original research by students, as well as opportunities for engagement with leading scholars in animal welfare science. A total of 95 in-person attendees (52 graduate students and 2 undergraduate students) joined the conference at UC Davis, with 25 virtual attendees joining via Zoom. This 14th regional meeting allowed for a focused conversation among animal welfare scientists and stakeholders in animal agriculture on the political, social, and economic issues for the US and Canada. The nuances of governmental regulations and market-driven changes to industry standards can impact the objective of a scientific meeting; especially a large, international conference. Topics of conversation within the oral presentations included a change in knowledge regarding current and future animal welfare standards for livestock species. Given that both public and corporate concern for animal welfare has surged in North America, the need for innovative research, immediate solutions, and long-term strategies is apparent.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21

    Outputs
    Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems:Given the travel and social gathering restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, this conference has been postponed to the spring of 2022 (in-person at UC Davis campus). Therefore, no funds have been used in the process of accomplishing the goals stated. Conference planning will recommence in the winter of 2021. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? This conference has been postponed, and a one-year no cost extension has been approved for this award (now ending on August 31, 2022). Theoriginal conference (planned for May 2020) was delayed due social distancing restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. If current vaccination rates continue in California, gatherings of over 100 people for conferences should be allowed byspring2021. Therefore, we are now planning for this nationwide event to take place in-person at UC Davis in the spring of 2022, with scientific abstracts due in the winter of 2021.

    Publications