Our solutions for studying bovine health
Studies and trials
Our multidisciplinary teams are qualified and experienced in conducting a wide range of studies in accordance with international standards. We can contribute to all phases of development and will manage the entire project from obtaining the necessary permits to the delivery of the final report.
We offer the following types of studies:
Field studies
Royal GD is very well positioned to offer (clinical) field studies. We have an extensive network of farmers and veterinarians in The Netherlands and in-depth knowledge of the disease status of the farms due to the yearly Animal Health Surveillance System that is managed by GD. Moreover, as a member of the GD Group we have easy access to veterinary laboratories in other countries to set up multi-country studies.
Studies on-site
GD has its own farm, just outside Deventer where we can host up to 40 dairy cows. At the facility animals can be housed in different groups and there is a milking parlour that allows for quarter specific milking. The facility is suited for running challenge studies with both calves as well as dairy cows. Other facilities
Challenge studies
Our team has extensive experience in running challenge studies and thanks to our unparalleled access to farms in The Netherlands we have access to a large collection of field samples to isolate strains from. The following challenge models have been developed and validated:
- E. coli mastitis
- Staphylococcus aureus subclinical mastitis
- Cryptosporidium parvum calf diarrhoea
- E. coli calf diarrhoea
- In development: Respiratory disease calf
Contact us to learn more about our capabilities to develop new challenge models.
Our experts
Christian Scherpenzeel, DVM, PhD
"I want to integrate state-of-the-art scientific udder health expertise with practical expertise, working closely together with dairy farmers and associated veterinarians. My focus is on udder health, antimicrobial resistance and social aspects of modern herd health management." Read more
Jasper het Lam, DVM
"In the dairy production chain the production of high quality food of healthy cows on a sustainable way is of great importance for feeding the worlds next generations." Read more
Prof. dr. Ynte Hein Schukken
"The combination of diagnostics and animal health expertise is what makes GD so unique. This enables us to offer products and services that not only improve animal health, but are also convenient for our customers and generate good financial returns." Read more
Arne Vanhoudt, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECBHM-EBVS®
"I am involved in the national disease surveillance for cattle, bovine foot health and contract research. I am particularly interested in foot health, cow comfort and animal welfare." Read more