Trip report #16

Mekong Livestock Research

Sydney School of Veterinary Science, the University of Sydney

17 July–3 August 2017

This report describes travel and project updates in Laos for project AH/2012/067 and AH/2012/068, and AH/2011/014 in Cambodia. This included an Australian Business Partnership Platform (BPP) workshop held in Vientiane on July 18-19, a large ruminant reproduction workshop in Phnom Penh on July 25-26, field visits to Takeo and Tbong Khmum July 27-28, and participation in the RMIT-led ACIAR-funded ‘Rethinking agricultural practices and agricultural extension workshop’ in Phnom Penh on August 1-2. PhD student NC was introduced to the Lao team members and consolidated relationships with the Cambodian team, enabling progress in planning for improving Fasciola diagnostics in both countries. The PhD plans of LO for additional serological studies on reproductive pathogens in Laos were progressed and considerations discussed with the Cambodian team for extending this work locally. Plans for completion of the PhD of KA in Cambodia were progressed, as were a number of published papers (6 recently submitted) and conference proceedings. The decision was confirmed for a combined AH/2012/068 & 067 annual meeting on August 22 as this follows the SEACFMD coordinators meeting in Pakse from August 16-18 that will also be attended by SK, PW and IM.

Abbreviations:

PW – Professor Emeritus Peter Windsor

SK – Dr Syseng Khounsy, DLF, Laos

SS – Dr Suon Sothoeun – DDG GDAHP, Cambodia

SN – Dr Sonevilay Nampanya, Project Officer, Laos

IM – Ms Isabel MacPhillamy, Project Officer, University of Sydney

PA – Mr Peter Alexander, Bega and Cobargo Veterinary Clinic, Bovine Reproduction trainer

CO – Mr Charles (Chick) Olsson, Four Seasons (4S) Company, Brisbane, Pty Ltd

KA – Ms Katherine Ashley, PhD student and socioeconomic impacts of forages in Cambodia

LO – Ms Luisa Olmo, PhD student on bovine reproduction in Cambodia and Laos

NC – Ms Nichola Calvani, PhD student on Fasciola sp control in Cambodia and Laos

Project highlights from this trip included:

All projects:

- Review of recent annual reports and planning for implementation of future activities in projects in both countries

- Strong resistance from the Laos leadership team on adoption of MAD (mobile application devices) technology using Commcare for e-surveys

Project 068, Beef Laos

- Successful AUBPP partership brokering and implementation of activities workshops were conducted on July 18-19 in Vientiane, with DFAT and Palladium staff. A Ministerial announcement of the project is expected on August 31. Agreements reached on next shipments of molasses blocks from 4S for trials that will be conducted within the AUBPP. A recently completed study on triclabendazole medicated molasses blocks (TBZ-MMB) was submitted for publication.

- Discussion of planning for a risk-factor studiy on bovine Neosporosis and Leptospirosis for LO PhD following recent serologocal evidence of high titres in some locations. The aim is to utilise sera recently collected for evaluation of FMD vaccination, although this cannot progress until the FMD serology has been completed.

Project 067, Biosecurity Laos

- Discussion of farmer training needs, plus progression of goat work including completion of 2 papers recently submitted; on Orf virus, and endoparasitism, respectively.

Project 014, Biosecurity Cambodia

- SS presented a detailed overview of recent project achievements.- Limited use of TBZ-MMB (a minor acceptability study only) and it appear the

Cambodian team wishes to postpone this work until commencement of the proposed new project (AH/2015/131)

- Biosecurity measures in the Tbong Khmum project village feedlot were observed to be absent and this was brought to attention of SS with possible interventions discussed (eg quarantine facility)

- Abundant forages growing profusely in both project villages visited in Takeo and Tbong Khmum, although particularly in the latter site where a project-funded well has been built on the farm of the village chief

- New information was provided on current disease reporting systems with claims of improved efficiency of reporting

- Discussion progressed on the possible introduction of ‘trader’ tail tags and encouragement of traders buying vaccinated cattle

Monday 17th JulyPW, IM, LO and NC arrive in Vientiane.Tuesday 18th JulyPW met with Ambassador John Williams and provided an update of progress on activities previous and planned, including invitations of the Ambassador and Embassy staff to the AUBPP workshop (he was unable to attend due to preoccupation with UNHCR meetings but did send his staff, including Hannah Lord).

AUBPP Workshop Day 1: The meeting included staff representing DFAT Aus, DFAT Post, Palladium, 4 Season Co., DLF, NUOL and USYD, and was aimed at brokering partnership expectations. The meeting highlighted a change role for DFAT with an apparent move towards presenting DFAT as a business partner than a donor in providing in-country support.Wednesday 19th JulyAUBPP workshop day 2: identification of milestones and activities in relation to budgets, enabled progression of the partnership as outlined in the ‘Initiative Guide’ and ‘Record of Partnership Discussion’ (RoPD) documents. The workshop attendees had a workshop completion dinner at a Lao-style BBQ Restaurant that completed a very successful meeting.

AUBPP workshop Attendees enjoying Lao BBQ dinner (Clockwise from bottom left: Dr Syseng Khounsy (DLF), Mihaela Balan (Palladium), Luisa Olmo (PhD student), Dr Sonevilay Nampanya (USyd/DLF), Prof Peter Windsor (USyd), Nichola Calvani (PhD student), Isabel MacPhillamy (USyd), Nick Wolf (Palladium), Jim Downey (DFAT)). Photo: Peter Windsor Thursday 20th JulyPW and IM met with Ambassador Williams and he was updated on outcomes of AUBPP workshop, plus delays to the proposed regional Beef policy workshop were discussed. The Ambassador suggested that the MLR team in conjunction with DLF, develop a list of possible livestock policy initiative for presentation to the GoL.IM and PW met with Dr Yayoi Lagerqvist, Honorary Associate of USYD Geosciences and former ACIAR-project participant who was currently in Laos facilitating a multidisciplinary post graduate field school for USYD. She advised that the field school was having a synthesis workshop on Friday afternoon which would involve a number of presentations from participants, including those from local PhD candidates. PW requested attendance of PW,

IM, LO, NC and SN which was accepted, with LO and NC to participate in the ‘3min thesis’ presentations at the workshop.PW and SN met later that morning to further progress scientific manuscripts.PW, SN, SK, IM, LO and NC discussed progression of the MMB trials. The current plan is to trial urea block in SVK and XYL, TBZ in XK and FBZ (fenbendazole) in LPB. Distribution and storage was discussed with SK and SN to investigate storage options. The team decided to import 1000 blocks (FBZ 100, TBZ 100, Urea 300, and molasses only 500) although SK and SN expressed concern about the security for such a large number, i.e. would certain officials/staff members help themselves to blocks? The team agreed that further work was required to improve the study protocol and methodology to ensure lessons from the previous 3 trials are incorporated and previous mistakes avoided. LO discussed the progression of her serology and risk factor study, with SK advising the serology will need to wait until the OIE team has finished the FMD testing, prior to her accessing these samples. PW is to discuss this study and access to the samples with Ronel Abila from OIE at the SEACFMD coordinators meeting in August in Pakse. The incorporation of urea blocks as an intervention that can improve reproduction outcomes was also discussed, using measures including: post calving weight gain, time to return to oestrus, onset of oestrous, and inter-calving intervals. It is apparent that the PhD work of both NC (TBZ for Fasciola cow morbidity) and LO (FBZ for Toxocara calf mortality) can benefit from the conduct of studies on the benefits of urea blocks, although further development of trail protocols is required to ensure the correct measurements can be achieved. IM, LO and NC demonstrated both SN and SK how a survey can be conducted via MAD using the Commcare app on a small tablet. There was considerable resistance from both SK and SN, including concerns on the monitoring and cleaning of data, that extension workers will be unable to use this technology, and that higher level issues of cyber-security may need to be addresses. It was advised that permission should be sought by ACIAR for this initiative, from the Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Projects Annual Meeting was confirmed for 22nd August and 40 attendees are expected to attend. As the week prior is a regional national coordinators SEACFMD meeting in Pakse from the 16-18th with SK attending and PW and JY invited by OIE. PW requested OIE to to replace JY with IM to attend this meeting and it is planned to conduct a biosecurity knowledge and practices survey of attendees using MAD technology (to provide background for an OIE-led training program in Kuala Lumpur in November that PW has been requested to lead).IM briefly discussed the planned Cost-Benefit-Analyses required for 067, although it was suggested that gross margin approach may enable a more robust economic analysis. SN suggested the possibility of utilising an honours NUOL AgEc student. Possible topics for future AVBS honours students were also discussed, with Richard Laity apparently still keen to have a student work on the data collected at his agro-forestry goat farm.IM attempted to obtain quotes for the in-country purchase of e-tablets but was unsuccessful in finding a tech store that sold android tablets. Quotes will be obtained from Cambodia, Bangkok and Australia.Friday 21st JulyPW and SN met to progress scientific manuscripts and conferences abstracts.

LO and NC worked on presentations for Field school synthesis workshop.IM, PW, LO and NC attended the synthesis workshop for the USYD Geosciences field school. They observed presentations from students focusing on a range of issues facing the relocated communities from dam sites. One presentation highlighted the microfinance agricultural programs that provide farmers with small livestock, especially poultry. However, these programs did not provide any animal health training or support and the majority of animals died as a consequence, an observation previously noted by USYD Geosciences students.NC and LO presented brief descriptions of their PhD studies that were very well received, with positive compliments on the clear objectives and relevance to the major issues facing Lao smallholder farmers.Saturday 22nd JulyA group discussion was held to review the updated statistical analysis by LO of results of the second fenbendazole trial that was conducted by the AVBS hons students in 2016. The review identified key issues for further work and in particular, managing the correct number of blocks per cow per farm to ensure ~200g/day of block is available for consumption (<10 blocks per head). PW, LO, NC and IM left Vientiane for Phnom Penh.Sunday 23rd JulyPA arrives in Phnom Penh.Monday 24th JulyMeeting of the Australian team with SS and the Cambodian team. The team leaders discussed updates of project and plans for the week. SS was updated on the Laos projects, including the AUBPP workshop. He advised that the modern Slaughterhouse developed in Cambodia by the Australian-based SLM meat company in Sihanoukville, was struggling due to limited demand for refrigerated meat by local consumers and that plans for regional export had met with difficulties. SS also advised that in 2016, over 100,000 Cambodian cattle were exported to Vietnam, increasing the pressure on the Cambodian national herd. However, exports and cattle prices have decreased in the last six months, possibly due to the increased number of Australian cattle being exported to Vietnam.

SS advised that there has been a shift away from working with the poorest farmers as they are unable to meet this demand and he feels that smallholder farming will become increasingly unsustainable, particularly as land values continue increasing and the disparity in economic development between the urban and rural communities grows. Discussion with KA and SS indicated that more smallholder farmers are starting to diversify their agricultural activities, such as farming poultry for a monthly income. The main feed source for poultry includes a premix purchased from the market (ingredients have not been specified) and rice tips. SS also expressed his desire to have more Cambodian students involved in project activities and for the team to work on report writing.

The disease reporting system was also briefly discussed. SS advised that the Provincial veterinary officers use a mobile application called ‘Telegram’ to notify the GDAHP and epidemiologists of potential disease outbreaks. Monthly reporting still occurs on a paper

system which is mailed to each step in the reporting system (VAHW to DVO to PVO to central GDAHP).

Meeting of project leadership with H.E. Sen Sovann (GDAHP). SS, PW, PA and IM met with Sen Sovan who indicated that Cambodia was now keen to embrace FMD vaccination and provided information on plans for ‘vaccinated animal’ tail tags for traders. This included the possible introduction of permits for traders that may eventually only allow the trade of vaccinated animals, although this will be ‘lightly enforced’ in the hope that it will act as a public awareness campaign. A proposed FMD vaccination campaign will focus on the eastern provinces. This new adoption of vaccinations appears to be due to stakeholder pressure as previously there was considerable resistance to vaccination. Perhaps this reflects expectations of FMD control from investors that are now importing Australian breeder cattle, particularly as there are plans to increase cattle production and develop a processing slaughterhouse in the north to access the Chinese market.

Tuesday 25th JulyBovine Reproduction Workshop Day1. The workshop was opened by HE DG Sen Sovann, Dr Sothoen and Prof Windsor. Presentations were given by PW, PA and LO, with topics covered including the status and importance of improving reproductive efficiency, applied reproductive physiology and anatomy of the cow and buffalo, previous project findings as documented in the LO honours project, and the prospect of using a reproduction calendar to assist adjusting lactation to season. The presentations on fertilisation highlighted a lack of basic knowledge of reproductive physiology and the draft calving calendar that was developed by current AVBS Honours student Rhiannon Phillips, was well received, with participants providing feedback that will be incorporated into the design. A summary of the questions discussed was documented, with a major concern emerging from the workshop of the lack of understanding by the participants of nutritional requirements of pregnant and lactating cows and their keen interest in conducting artificial insemination.Wednesday 26th JulyBovine Reproduction Workshop Day 2. The second day was held at the Tamao breeding station with practical sessions led by PA, including performing a physical exam on a cow and pregnancy testing. The participants were very enthusiastic about learning these skills and enjoyed being able to auscultate the heart and rumen and perform pregnancy diagnosis via rectal palpation. The majority of the DVs had an opportunity to practice this although unfortunately there were no reproductive tracts available to practice on (despite arranged promises). Mr Li, the PVO from Takeo, reported that he has begun performing AI with Brahman semen from Thailand, with straws ranging in price from USD 10-180. He reports that of the 868 cows inseminated, 600 calves have been born. Questions at the end of the session were mainly focused on AI techniques and synchronisation programs along with what to do when dystocia arises. On reflection of the workshop PA and PW have decided that for future workshops it may be more beneficial to introduce the reproductive tracts of a cow and a bull and allow the participants to have a hands on session on the basics of reproduction and fertilization before

giving theory lectures as it appeared that a substantial portion of the theory was not understood. And this may be better absorbed if they can physically see were the processes occur. Expansion of topics to include AI appear a necessity.

Peter Alexander assisting workshop participants perform cardiac auscultation of the thorax & palpation of the coccygeal arterial pulse at the base of the tail. (Photos: Peter Windsor)

Workshop attendees at the Tamao Breeding station. (Photo: Peter Windsor)Thursday 27th JulyTakeo Field trip –SS, PW, PA, IM, LO and NC.Farmer 1 had entered the project this year and started his forage plot from a seedling bank producing about 7000m2 of forage and 7000m2 of rice. He joined the project as he wants to improve his financial situation and has three cows and three calves but wants to increase his herd to 6 breeding cows. They are yet to be vaccinated. He uses a neighbour’s bull for matings and pays USD 10/service He currently has 40 chickens from the ‘Food security for the underprivileged project’ funded by the government of Japan. He is hoping to increase his flock to 200 hens. The farmer has previously had to perform extra work as a labourer to support the household and he is now hoping to be a full time farmer if the forage is successful. However he is concerned about the forage during the dry season as his dam will not be sufficient to water the plots. He and his wife share the farming duties equally and they have two children. Farmer 2 has been in the project since inception in 2015 as a control (medium intervention). They currently have three cows and two calves, 50 adult chickens (a mix of broiler and layer

chickens), and 2500m2 of forage. The cattle are mainly housed and fed cut and carry forage and provided with water twice a day.Farmer 3 has five cows and two calves, and this year they have already sold one calf and have one pregnant cow. They pay USD 20/mating and sell calves for 7million Riel (~$50) and last year they sold some of their forages for between 400-500,000 Riel. They provide parasite control to the four non pregnant cows.Farmer 4 has recently joined the project and has roughly 1000m2 of Simuang forage growing, providing for his four cows of which one is very pregnant and another has a calf at foot. The inter-calving interval of his cows was calculated to be ~20months.

A farmer meeting held in Sen Ouk village involving 40 people in attendance (half were female) was conducted with speeches by SS, PW and champion farmer Mr Cha Ben who spoke to the villagers about the economic benefits of growing forages, improving cattle husbandry and practicing disease control. When he first visited the AH/2005/086 project village he stated that he had 3 cows, but rapidly adopted the forage interventions and now has 18 cattle as he continues to improve his care and quality of his animals. He has increased his forage plots to the point where he can sell USD 500 worth of forages in a day. He also reported earning USD10,000 last year from the sale of cattle and forages. At the end of the meeting the villagers were able to collect seedlings from the seedling bank to grow in their own plots. The villagers all participated with gusto in the collection of seedlings.

Images of (clockwise): Farmer meeting in Sen Ouk, Takeo Province, followed by demonstration by Cha Ben of collecting forage seedlings during harvesting & distribution (Photos: Peter Windsor)

Friday 28th July

Tbong Khmum village visits (Ampil, Tonle Commune, Thbong Khmum district, Thbong Khmum Province). PA, PW and IM (LO and NC visited the NAVRI lab).Farmer 1 (Village head: Yam Young) has Mulato forage plots which he planted 3 years ago and they grow well during the dry season due to the ACIAR-funded well close to his plots. He currently has 5 cows and 2 calves and sells his cows if they do not produce a calf each year. He also has poultry, frangipani, mango and custard apple crops. His annual income breakdown was: Cattle USD 1000/yr, work as chief USD 600/yr, Agriculture (rice) USD 250/yr, Agriculture (other crops) USD 500/yr.Farmer 2: He has been growing forage for roughly 2 years and has seven cows and three calves, although of the cows, four are heifers. He has 5,000m2 of mainly paspalum forage. Farmer 3 has 4 cows and 1 calf with 1,500m2 of forage. He also earns an income from fishing.Farmer 4 owns the feedlot fattening shed. He reported keeping some animals for only one week, although many or several weeks and KA reports that he has previously stated that he keeps them for one month for fattening. He currently has 18 animals in the shed, both male and females, and removes faeces three times a day. He reported mostly selling to slaughter houses, but does not check that females were pregnant before sale to slaughter; the rest he sells to traders. He obtains animals from his district and sometimes neighbouring districts and uses around 10 traders. Some of the animals are vaccinated but the majority are not. Some cows become unwell with GI signs but minimal deaths were reported and he reports that he observes the cattle eating before purchasing. His lack of biosecurity procedures and low level knowledge of disease risk was concerning as his enterprise appears to pose a great biosecurity risk to the village.

At the lab, NC was tasked with assessing capacity for conducting PCR diagnostics for Fasciola and noted several qPCR machines, a few conventional PCR thermocyclers, 2 micro plate readers and sequencing capabilities. However she was not able to properly assess the state of the equipment as she was not allowed direct access to the lab.

Vitou and Phaleap inspect the cattle race at the feedlot in Ampil village in Tbong Khmum (Photos: Peter Windsor)

Saturday 29th JulyPW, PA, NC leave Cambodia for SydneyMonday 31st JulyIM and LO went to the GDAHP office with KA.IM met with Mr Bun Chan and discussed the longitudinal data collection. IM had concerns about dates and weights not matching. Bun Chan advised that this has been rectified in his data set and reports still having one or two provinces left for data entry. He also reported that he is recording whether animals have been sold or died to account for the 30% attrition rate. They discussed the use of CommCare for future collections and he was very receptive and keen to utilize this technology. They also discussed the disease reporting system that is occurring, although he was not able to directly comment as this is not his area but he was able to confirm that ‘Telegram’ is used to report major outbreaks but all other disease reporting still occurs via paper reports that are mailed from VAHW -> DVO -> PVO -> central department. One report he shared was posted from the PVO on the 14 th July and was not received at the central department until the 20th of July.Tuesday 1st August and Wednesday 2nd AugustIM and KA attend the ‘Rethinking Agricultural Practices and Agricultural Extension Workshop’ conducted by RMIT.Themes of the workshop appeared to be on ‘what is done well and poorly and what can be improved’. Andrew Bartlett (Lao Upland Rural Advisory Service) commented on the mismatch between the rhetoric and reality of extension work, along with the low capacity of field staff even after decades of assistance. He stated that extension work should focus on the mitigation of the negative impacts/effects of new technologies. An example he gave was the ‘toxic landscape’ of XK province. Other speakers discussed the need for an Extension Policy document. Dr La Nguyen (Agroforestry projects Vietnam) discussed the need for change management to deal with the challenges associated with the impacts of agriculture. He also discussed using volunteers or extension workers only when they are genuinely interested in the area as they were more likely to take on the messages/concepts and apply these to their settings. Other themes included the need to really engage and consult with extension workers and farmers to determine what knowledge/technologies are genuinely needed/wanted and what will be used. There appeared to be the general consensus that in too many projects the extension technologies introduced are unlikely to be sustainable as they are not what is needed by the communities.Thursday 3rd AugustIM leaves Cambodia for Sydney

Cambodian workshop on bovine reproduction AH/2011/014 (GDAHP) 25-26 July 2017Table 1. Questions asked by attendees at the Cambodian workshop on bovine reproduction AH/2011/014 (GDAHP) 25-26 July 2017Q1. Where does fertilisation occur?

A1. PA explained that fertilisation occurs in the oviduct and on day 7 the eggs travels to the uterine horn where calf develops.

Q2. Is grass adequate as a sole nutritional source for large ruminants?A2. PW explained feeding native grass alone is generally inadequate but meeting nutritional requirements is entirely dependent on the quality and quantity of grass fed. Forages may be adequate in the wet season and if grass is to be growing in the dry season it may require irrigation. The improved grasses usually have increased metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) than the native grasses, although this depends on the stage of growth of the plant.

Q3. How many and what are the methods of pregnancy detection?A3. PA listed the methods:

1. Observing return to oestrus2. Rectal palpation at pregnancy > 6 weeks3. Milk progesterone concentration analysis4. Ultrasound

Q4. How do you know if a cow is pregnant from rectal palpation?A4. PA answered briefly that from 6 weeks you can palpate the amniotic vesicle which should be size of marble and that palpation of structure that indicate the various stages of pregnancy will be demonstrated at Tamao breeding station the next day.

Q5. How young can you wean calves?A5. Mr Sophal (workshop attendee) answered that he was involved in early weaning trials where they gradually weaned 3.5 month old calves and fed them 50% Stylo and 50% forage which resulted in weight gain benefits in calves and dams.LO answered that you can wean at 3 months if you have adequate supplies of protein rich feed.PW added that weaning prior to 4 months of age is not recommended in tropical systems as calves may experience delayed growth due to low protein in most tropical grass pastures and providing 50% Stylo being well outside the scope of most Cambodian farmers.

Q6. Why are there shorter inter-calving intervals in northwestern CambodiaA6. LO answered that in one study involving 157 cattle from Samlout and 112 in Sala Krau and consisting mainly of local cattle (81%), an average intercalving interval of 14 months was reported (Serey et al. 2014). LO explained this was probability linked to the finding that local cattle are 6 times more reproductive than larger framed local, Haryana cross breed cattle (Olmo et al. 2017).

Q7. How old can Cambodian cattle have their first calf?A7. PW advised that the age when Cambodian cattle have their first calf is dependent on many factors including genetics and nutrition. It is possible that the smaller framed local yellow cattle has a younger age at first calving similar to the precocious reproductive age of the smaller framed Dexter cattle in Australia. Data is needed to demonstrate this in Cambodia and Laos.

PA, Peter Alexander; PW, Peter Windsor; LO, Luisa Olmo

Olmo, L., Ashley, K., Young, J.R., Suon, S., Thomson, P.C., Windsor, P.A., and Bush, R.D., 2017. Improving smallholder cattle reproductive efficiency in Cambodia to address expanding regional beef demand, Tropical Animal Health and Production, 49, 163-172

Serey, M., Mom, S., Kouch, T., and Bunna, C., Cattle production systems in NW Cambodia. In: Livestock Research for Rural Development. 2014. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd26/3/sere26042.htm. Accessed 2nd Mar 2014

Only viable methods for Cambodia