Dr Emma Bleach

Senior Lecturer

Emma is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Science in the Agriculture and Environment Department. She is from a dairy farming background and is interested in all things dairy!

She graduated from The University of Reading with a PhD in Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology in 2000. Her thesis is titled 'Ovarian follicle dynamics in dairy cows: associations with pregnancy rate, hormone profiles and diet'. Her research developed and utilised transrectal ultrasonography to monitor ovarian follicular and luteal development in dairy cows, a technique which is now commonplace in the vets toolkit but wasnt back then! Alongside ultrasonography, she developed and used a range of radio- and enzyme- immunoassays to monitor changes in reproductive hormones associated with follicular and luteal development, including oestradiol, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and inhibin. She has maintained this interest in regulation of reproduction in dairy cows to optimise the efficiency and sustainability of dairy production systems, most recently supervising a PhD student investigating factors that influence oestrus expression in dairy cows, which utilised precision livestock sensor technologies and reproductive hormone profiles to monitor the strength of oestrus behaviour in lactating dairy cows.

Emma's expertise as a reproductive physiologist and endocrinologist combines with her practical management of reproduction in dairy cows, to bring to life her teaching on Farm Animal Production Science and Sustainable Livestock Production.

Emma's other main research focus is on rearing systems for the dairy-bred calf. These studies are varied but have the underpinning aim of optimising the growth, health and well-being of calves and heifers, to support sustainable dairy production. Her research includes investigations of milk feeding options for dairy-bred calves, concentrate feeding systems and other additional feeds, with a particular interest in easing the weaning transition for the calf. Other research has explored calf management options such as use of calf jackets and the use of precision livestock sensor technologies to monitor the health and well-being of calves. This research supports her post-graduate teaching on Ration Formulation and Feeding Systems and Recent Advances in Ruminant Nutrition and also on Ruminant Feeds and Nutrient Supply and Developments in Feeds and Feeding for our University Diploma in Ruminant Nutrition.

Besides the quantitative reseach studies, Emma has also used qualitiative research methods to investigate youngstock management practices and service provision in the animal health sector.

Undergraduate teaching

BSc Agriculture & Routes, BSc Animal Production Science

Animal Production (LM) (A4012C17)
Farm Animal Production Science (A5001C17) module leader
Sustainable Livestock Production (A5006C17)

Post-Graduate course management

Course Co-ordinator for PGC/PGD/MSc Ruminant Nutrition
Course Manager for Diploma in Ruminant Nutrition

Post-graduate teaching

PgC / PgD/ MSc Ruminant Nutrition

Ruminant Animal Production & the Feed Industry (A7081) Module leader
Recent Advances in Ruminant Nutrition - Calf and heifer nutrition (A7079)
Ration Formulation and Feeding Systems (A7080)

PgC / PgD / MSc Agricultural Systems and Production Systems

Principles and Practice of Livestock Husbandry (A7071)

University Diploma in Ruminant Nutrition

Ruminant Feeds and Nutrient Supply (A5095)
Developments in Feeds and Feeding (A5094)

PhD supervisions

Current supervisions

The behavioural, physiological and production effects of dairy cow-calf rearing systems
Evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract faecal microbiome in dairy calves as an indicator of welfare
Equine anthelmintic resistance: a qualitative investigation into attitudes, beliefs and practices on the use of equine anthelmintics in the United Kingdom

Previous supervisions

A qualitative social science investigation of UK dairy calf health and welfare (Laura Palczynski, 2021)
Investigations of factors that influence oestrous expression in dairy cattle (Hawar Zebari, 2019)
Service provision in the animal health sector (Alison Pyatt, 2017)
Factors that influence dairy cow preference to be indoors or at pasture (Priya Motupali, 2014)
Assessing the impact of lameness on gait and behaviour of dairy cattle: Development of an automated lameness detection system (Nicola Blackie, 2009)

MRes supervision

Current supervisions

An investigation of factors influencing the vigour of neonatal Wagyu calves
An investigation of the effects of Johnes Disease on the behaviour and performance of dairy cows on UK farms

Previous supervisions

To investigate the effect of concentration of equine sperm quality following cryopreserving and to investigate the effect of re-freezing (Bethany Morse-Wolfe, 2021)

Research areas

Youngstock rearing practices including dairy calves and heifers, dairy-bred beef calves
- Current projects
  - Cow-calf rearing
  - TMRs for dairy calves
  - Whole milk for dairy-bred beef calves
  - Transition milk for dairy bred calves

Reproductive processes particularly in dairy cows. Current research is looking at
- Current projects
  - Using hormones in dairy cow reproductive management
  - factors affecting oestrus expression in dairy cows
  - Factors influencing dairy cow productivity
  - Using Cow Signals to monitor the wellbeing of cattle

Research Profiles

Professional Memberships

British Society ofAnimal Science (BSAS)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Academic Department: Agriculture and Environment

Research: Beef and Sheep Research Group

Research: Dairy, Heifer and Calf Research Group

Tel: +44 (0)1952 81 5079

Office: AC10 Aspire Centre

Research profile: ORCID

Research profile: ResearcherID.com

Publications

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Other publications

Palczynski, L.J., Bleach, E.C.L., Brennan, M.L. and Robinson, P.A. (2022) Youngstock Management as “The Key for Everything”? Perceived Value of Calves and the Role of Calf Performance Monitoring and Advice on Dairy Farms Frontiers in Animal Science 3
Charlton, G., Gauld, C., Veronesi, F., Rutter, S.M. and Bleach, E. (2022) Assessing the accuracy of leg mounted sensors for recording dairy cow behavioural activity at pasture, in cubicle housing and a straw yard Animals 12
Pyatt, Alison Z; Wright, Gillian H; Walley, Keith; Bleach, Emma CL (2021) A Value Co-Creation Framework to Manage Service Quality in the UK Animal Health and Veterinary Sector Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science 4
Palczynski, L.J., Bleach, E.C., Brennan, M.L. and Robinson, P.A. (2021) Stakeholder perceptions of disease management for dairy calves:“it’s just little things that make such a big difference” Animals 11
Bolton, O., Charlton, G. and Bleach, E. (2021) A preliminary evaluation of British farmers’ perception of dairy cow-calf rearing Animal-science proceedings 12
Pyatt, A.Z., Walley, K., Wright, G.H. and Bleach, E.C. (2020) Co-produced care in veterinary services: a qualitative study of UK stakeholders’ perspectives Veterinary Sciences 7
Palczynski, L.J., Bleach, E.C.L., Brennan, M.L. and Robinson, P.A (2020) Appropriate dairy calf feeding from birth to weaning: "It's an investment for the future" Animals 10
Palczynski, L.J., Bleach, E.C.L., Brennan, M.L. and Robinson, P.A. (2020) Giving calves "the best start": Perceptions of colostrum management on dairy farms in England Animal Welfare 29
3. Atkins, N.E., Bleach, E.C.L., Mackenzie, A.M., Hargreaves, P.R. and Sinclair, L.A. (2020) Mineral status, metabolism and performance of dairy heifers receiving a combined trace element bolus and out-wintered on perennial ryegrass, kale or fodder beet. Livestock Science 231
Charlton, G.L., Bleach, E.C.L. and Rutter, S.M. (2019) Cows with paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) alter their lying behavior around peak lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 102
Zebari, H.M., Rutter, S.M. and Bleach, E.C.L. (2019) Fatty acid profile of milk for determining reproductive status in lactating Holstein Friesian cows. Animal Reproduction Science 202
Atkins, N.A., Bleach. E.C.L., Hargreaves, P.R. and Sinclair, L.A (2018) Periparturient and early lactation performance and metabolism of replacement Holstein-Friesian dairy heifers out-wintered on fodder beet or perennial ryegrass compared with winter housing Grass and Forage Science 73
Zebari, H.M., Rutter, S.M. and Bleach, E.C.L. (2018) Characterizing changes in activity and feeding behaviour of lactating dairy cows during behavioural and silent oestrus. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 206
Pyatt, A.Z., Wright, G.H., Walley, K.E., Bleach, E.C.L., (2017) Value co-creation in high involvement services: the animal healthcare sector International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management 45 (doi: 10.1108/IJRDM-11-2016-0209)
Pyatt, A., Wright, G. Bleach, E. and Walley, K. (2014) Looking to the future - Equipping the graduate for modern-day practice
Blackie, N., Bleach, E., Amory, J. and Scaife, J. (2013) The effect of locomotion score and foot lesions on kinematic measures of gait in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 96 (3564-3572)
Satchell, L. Glister, C., Dai, Y., Bleach, E.C., Anand-Ivell, R. and Knight, P.G. (2013) Ovarian expression of insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) and its receptor (RXFP2) during development of bovine antral follicles and corpora lutea and measurement of circulating INSL3 levels during synchronized estrous cycles. Endocrinology 154
Blackie, N., Amory, J., Bleach, E. and Scaife, J. (2011) The effect of lameness on lying behaviour of zero grazed Holstein dairy cattle Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 134
Blackie, N., Bleach, E., J. Amory, and J. Scaife. (2011) Impact of lameness on gait characteristics and lying behaviour of zero grazed dairy cattle in early lactation. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 129
Blackie, N., Scaife, J.R. and Bleach, E.C.L. (2006) Lying behaviour and activity of early lactation Holstein dairy cattle measured using an activity monitor Cattle Practice 14 (139-142)
Bleach, E.C.L., Gould, M. Blackie, N. and Beever, D.E. (2005) Growth performance of Holstein-Friesian heifer calves reared using three milk replacer feeding regimes Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition
Bleach, ECL, Glencross, RG and Knight, PG (2004) Association between ovarian follicle development and pregnancy rates in dairy cows undergoing spontaneous oestrous cycles Reproduction 127

Additional Information

Cow Signals Certified Master Trainer

Research projects

A qualitative social science investigation of UK dairy calf health and welfare - Second Supervisor
Behavioural, physiological and production effects of dairy cow-calf rearing systems - Second Supervisor
DASIE - Dairy Animal Sensor Integrated Engineering - Researcher
Out-wintering as an alternative for replacement heifers reared for low or high input milk production systems - Researcher

Modules

You can contact Dr Emma Bleach if you would like to discuss any of the following course modules:

Farm Animal Science (A5016C17)
Ruminant Animal Production and the Feed Industry (A7081)