Associate professor in biostatistics and population genetics. Working with different topics in veterinary and human medicine, animal science (inc reproduction, feeding), food science, psychology, ecology, soil and plant science, forestry, and quantitative genetics in several species with focus on dairy cattle. Teaching data science to life science students at all levels and quantitative genetics to mathetmatical statistics and animal science master students.
Abstract The threat to sheep welfare of heat stress when pastured outdoors in the summer, particu... more Abstract The threat to sheep welfare of heat stress when pastured outdoors in the summer, particularly without access to shade, has been underinvestigated. This may be of importance not only in hot climates, but also during the summer months in cooler climates. This study considered whether, in the moderately warm conditions of a northern European summer, sheep will access shade of they have access to it, and if sheep with no access to shade in a northern European summer show behaviours indicative of poor welfare, including measures of panting scores and other indicators of heat stress. There were twelve sheep in each of the groups, the control group (NS) or the treatment group with the possibility to access shade (SH). Respiration rates and panting scores were recorded for each sheep in each group twice each day. Other behaviours were also recorded at the individual animal level. In the SH group, the numbers of sheep in the shaded areas were also noted. Climatic data on observation days was collected. Respiration rates were significantly higher at higher panting scores (p
Proliferative kidney disease caused by the myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae has be... more Proliferative kidney disease caused by the myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae has been actively studied in juvenile salmonids for decades. However, very little is known about parasite prevalence and its geographical and intra‐host distribution at older life stages. We screened T. bryosalmonae among adult sea trout (Salmo trutta) (n = 295) collected along the Estonian Baltic Sea coastline together with juvenile trout from 33 coastal rivers (n = 1752) to assess spatial infection patterns of the adult and juvenile fish. The parasite was detected among 38.6% of adult sea trout with the prevalence increasing from west to east, and south to north, along the coastline. A similar pattern was observed in juvenile trout. Infected sea trout were also older than uninfected fish and the parasite was detected in sea trout up to the age of 6 years. Analysis of intra‐host distribution of the parasite and strontium to calcium ratios from the otoliths revealed that (re)infection through ...
Background Transition of dairy cows from a tied to a loose housing system may affect their behavi... more Background Transition of dairy cows from a tied to a loose housing system may affect their behaviour, health and production. Such housing system changes have become more frequent in Estonia but knowledge is lacking on how cows adapt to a new system. The aim of this study was to evaluate how cows’ behaviour, milk production and composition, and different aspects of their health changed after transition from tied to loose housing. Results A herd of 400 dairy cows was moved to a new system on the same farm, so that effects of transport were not confounding factors. Behavioural observations were made for approximately 4 months following transition. Milk production data were recorded from 12 months before to 12 months after transition. Examination for skin alterations and cleanliness, as well as body condition scoring were carried out before transition, and thereafter monthly throughout the study. Significant effects on behaviour were observed just after the transition, with increases in...
Abstract The threat to sheep welfare of heat stress when pastured outdoors in the summer, particu... more Abstract The threat to sheep welfare of heat stress when pastured outdoors in the summer, particularly without access to shade, has been underinvestigated. This may be of importance not only in hot climates, but also during the summer months in cooler climates. This study considered whether, in the moderately warm conditions of a northern European summer, sheep will access shade of they have access to it, and if sheep with no access to shade in a northern European summer show behaviours indicative of poor welfare, including measures of panting scores and other indicators of heat stress. There were twelve sheep in each of the groups, the control group (NS) or the treatment group with the possibility to access shade (SH). Respiration rates and panting scores were recorded for each sheep in each group twice each day. Other behaviours were also recorded at the individual animal level. In the SH group, the numbers of sheep in the shaded areas were also noted. Climatic data on observation days was collected. Respiration rates were significantly higher at higher panting scores (p
Proliferative kidney disease caused by the myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae has be... more Proliferative kidney disease caused by the myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae has been actively studied in juvenile salmonids for decades. However, very little is known about parasite prevalence and its geographical and intra‐host distribution at older life stages. We screened T. bryosalmonae among adult sea trout (Salmo trutta) (n = 295) collected along the Estonian Baltic Sea coastline together with juvenile trout from 33 coastal rivers (n = 1752) to assess spatial infection patterns of the adult and juvenile fish. The parasite was detected among 38.6% of adult sea trout with the prevalence increasing from west to east, and south to north, along the coastline. A similar pattern was observed in juvenile trout. Infected sea trout were also older than uninfected fish and the parasite was detected in sea trout up to the age of 6 years. Analysis of intra‐host distribution of the parasite and strontium to calcium ratios from the otoliths revealed that (re)infection through ...
Background Transition of dairy cows from a tied to a loose housing system may affect their behavi... more Background Transition of dairy cows from a tied to a loose housing system may affect their behaviour, health and production. Such housing system changes have become more frequent in Estonia but knowledge is lacking on how cows adapt to a new system. The aim of this study was to evaluate how cows’ behaviour, milk production and composition, and different aspects of their health changed after transition from tied to loose housing. Results A herd of 400 dairy cows was moved to a new system on the same farm, so that effects of transport were not confounding factors. Behavioural observations were made for approximately 4 months following transition. Milk production data were recorded from 12 months before to 12 months after transition. Examination for skin alterations and cleanliness, as well as body condition scoring were carried out before transition, and thereafter monthly throughout the study. Significant effects on behaviour were observed just after the transition, with increases in...
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