Jude (Judith) Capper
Harper Adams University, Agriculture and Environment, Faculty Member
- Jude L. Capper, PhD, DSc (h.c.) ARAgS FRASE has two main roles: she is the ABP Chair and Professor of Sustainable Be... moreJude L. Capper, PhD, DSc (h.c.) ARAgS FRASE has two main roles: she is the ABP Chair and Professor of Sustainable Beef and Sheep systems at Harper Adams University (Shropshire, UK); and is also an independent Livestock Sustainability Consultant.
Jude's research focuses on modeling the sustainability of livestock production systems, specifically dairy, beef and sheep. She is currently working on projects relating to on-farm greenhouse gas emissions from UK beef production; climate footprints of smallholder farming; the impacts of livestock health and welfare on system sustainability; and technology use in South American beef production. Jude is Chair of the Route Panel for Agriculture, Environment and Animal Care and Vice-Chair of the Green Apprenticeships Advisory Panel at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. She is also the Treasurer of the National Beef Association and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Butchers.
Jude has an active social media presence and spends a considerable amount of time de-bunking some of the more commonly-heard myths relating to livestock production. In 2021, Jude was awarded both an honorary doctorate (DSc honoris causa) by Harper Adams University, and the Sir John Hammond Award by the British Society of Animal Science and British Cattle Breeders Club, in recognition of her contributions to the UK livestock industry.edit
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Climate Change, Dairy Science, Consumer Behavior, Environmental Sustainability, Dairy Science and Technology, and 11 moreDairy Nutrition, Sustainable Food Systems, Methane, Dairy, Ruminant nutrition and Dairy science, Cattle, Milk production, Climate change and sustainable food production, Dairy Cattle, Dairy Products, and Sustainable Food & Farming
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The paper reports on the prevalence and performance of the Jersey cattle breed in Africa, highlighting its geographic distribution and describing the reported performance and other related characteristics from the early 1900s to the... more
The paper reports on the prevalence and performance of the Jersey cattle breed in Africa, highlighting its geographic distribution and describing the reported performance and other related characteristics from the early 1900s to the present day. The review examines the contribution of Jersey cattle in increasing the volume and efficiency of milk production across the continent. Data relating to the Jersey cattle breed has been reported in more than 30 African countries based on available material published between 1964 and 2020. A key encompassing parameter of any reference was a well-described consideration of the Jersey cattle breed (as pure or crossbred with other exotic and/or indigenous breeds) with reported performance within a variety of production systems and agro-ecologies in Africa. The main focus was on breed and performance parameters, breed types, percentage of different breed types in specific environments, reproduction method and fertility; survival and longevity; disease incidence; and production efficiency metrics such as: feed efficiency (milk unit per dry matter intake, DMI) and milk yield (MY) per unit of body weight (BW). The main performance descriptors identified were based on observations on resilience under both abiotic (heat, nutrition) and biotic (incidences of pests and diseases) stressors, milk production, BW, nutrition and utilisation of feed resources. From the literature consulted, we grouped key dairy cattle performance characteristics reported in each country under the following areas to aid comparisons; a. Milk production (Milk nutrient value, daily MY, lifetime MY and annual MY); b. Fertility traits and AFC; c. Survival and longevity, d. Production efficiency (Feed efficiency, milk per unit BW and milk per unit DMI and e. Disease incidences. Results of the review showed that the smaller stature and lower maintenance nutrient requirements of the Jersey breed means that it is better suited to tolerate the tropical production conditions in the African small-scale dairy farming sector. Detailed analyses on MY and survival showed that Jersey crosses with exotic and African indigenous breeds performed better than purebred cattle with strong evidence to support the suitability of the Jersey breed in crossbreeding with indigenous breeds for use in smallholder production systems.
Research Interests: Environmental Sustainability, Carbon Footprint, Sustainable Food Systems, Beef Consumption, Beef production, and 8 moreMethane, Meat Production, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sustainable beef production, Beef Cattle, Climate change and sustainable food production, Meat and meat consumption, and Sustainable Food & Farming
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Reproduction, Environmental Sustainability, Carbon Footprint, Methane, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and 9 moreReproductive Physiology and Artificial Insemination, Environmental Impact, Dairy cattle nutrition, Cattle, Milk production, Greenhouse gases, Artificial insemination, Dairy cows, and Dairy Cattle
Research Interests: Dairy Science, Agricultural Sciences, Agriculture, Environmental Sustainability, Dairy Science and Technology, and 12 moreCarbon Footprint, Veganism, Methane, Meat Production, Dairy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Dairy Technology, Dairy cattle nutrition, Meat and meat consumption, Dairy Products, Sustainable Food & Farming, and Sustainability
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Brazilian beef systems contribute 14.9% of global beef production, therefore given climate change concerns, there is a clear need to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining economic viability. This study evaluated the hypothesis... more
Brazilian beef systems contribute 14.9% of global beef production, therefore given climate change concerns, there is a clear need to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining economic viability. This study evaluated the hypothesis that steroid implant use in Brazilian beef cattle would reduce resource use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic costs of production, thereby improving environmental and economic sustainability. A deterministic model based on beef cattle population demographics, nutrition and performance was used to quantify resource inputs and GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg of hot carcass weight (HCW) beef. System boundaries extended from cropping input manufacture to cattle arriving at the slaughterhouse. Beef systems were modeled using herd population dynamics, feed and performance data sourced from producers in four Brazilian states, with additional data from global databases. Implants were used in calves, growing and finishing cattle at low (LI), medium (MI), and high (HI) levels of performance enhancement, compared to nonimplanted (NI) controls. Feed use results were used in combination with producer-derived input costs to assess the economic impacts of implant use, including production costs and returns on investment. Improved FCE, ADG, and carcass weights conferred by implant use reduced the number of cattle and the time taken to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef. Compared to NI controls, the quantities of feed, land, water and fossil fuels required to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef was reduced in implanted cattle, with reductions proportional to the performance-enhancing effect of the implant (HI > MI > LI). Implant use reduced GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef by 9.4% (LI), 12.6% (MI), or 15.8% (HI). Scaling up the MI effects to represent all eligible Brazilian cattle being implanted, revealed avoided GHG emissions equivalent to the annual exhaust emissions of 62.0 × 106 cars. Economic impacts of implant use reflected the environmental results, resulting in a greater margin for the producers within each system (cow-calf through to finishing). The 6.13% increase in kg of HCW beef produced generates a cost reduction of 3.76% and an increase in the return on invested capital of 4.14% on average. Implants offer the opportunity for Brazilian beef producers to demonstrate their dedication to improving environmental and economic sustainability through improved productivity, although care must be taken to avoid negative trade-offs.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Sustainable Development, Environmental Sustainability, Social sustainability, Smallholder Farmers & Poverty Alleviation, Carbon Footprint, and 9 moreMethane, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Dairy cattle nutrition, African Agriculture, Jersey cattle, Dairy Cattle, Smallholders, Sustainability, and African farming
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Sustainable agriculture, Environmental Sustainability, Sustainable Agriculture (Sustainability), Methane, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and 8 moreGoats, Small Ruminant Production, Goat Farming, Small Ruminants, Sustainable Food & Farming, Sheep and Goats Production and Breeding, Sustainability, and Dairy Goats
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Sustainable agriculture, Environmental Sustainability, Animal Health Economics, Veterinary Science, Carbon Footprint, and 11 moreAnimal health, Methane, One Health, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sustainable beef production, Cattle, Beef Cattle, Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, Sustainable Farming, and Sustainable Food & Farming
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Consumer Behavior, Environmental Sustainability, Carbon Footprint, Agricultural Sustainability, Land Use, and 11 moreMethane, Meat Production, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Dairy cattle nutrition, Cattle, Beef Cattle, Milk production, Arable Land, Sustainable Food & Farming, Consumer Behaviour, and land use efficiency
A considerable body of evidence has reported the beneficial effects of improving productivity on reducing environmental impacts from livestock production. However, despite the negative impacts of animal diseases on reproduction, growth... more
A considerable body of evidence has reported the beneficial effects of improving productivity on reducing environmental impacts from livestock production. However, despite the negative impacts of animal diseases on reproduction, growth and milk production, there is little information available upon the impacts of animal disease on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe). This study aimed to partially address this knowledge gap by investigating the effects of globally important vaccine-preventable diseases on GHGe from various livestock systems, namely: intensive dairy, extensive beef, commercial swine and backyard poultry production. Methods Simple deterministic models were developed within Microsoft Excel to quantify the impacts of livestock disease on productivity (defined as total milk and/or meat yield, MMY) adjusted for disease prevalence both at the population level (high or low), and at the herd or flock level. Disease-induced changes in MMY were applied to the GHGe per kg of milk or meat according to the consequent changes in livestock populations required to maintain milk or meat production. Diseases investigated comprised foot and mouth, brucellosis, anthrax, lumpy skin disease, classical swine fever, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), low and high pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI and HPAI), avian infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease. Results All diseases investigated had multifactorial impacts on total MMY, yet diseases that increased mortality in breeding or growing livestock (e.g. anthrax, classical swine fever and HPAI) showed greater impacts on GHGe per unit of milk or meat produced than those that primarily affecting yields or reproduction (e.g. brucellosis or LPAI). Prevalence also had considerable effects on potential GHGe. For example, maintaining backyard poultry meat production from a 100,000 hen population with 70% prevalence of HPAI increased GHGe by 11,255 MT CO 2 eq compared to a 30% prevalence at 3475 MT CO 2 eq above the baseline (0% prevalence). Effective reduction of the prevalence of PRRS in swine from 60 to 10%, FMD in beef cattle from 45 to 5% prevalence, or AIB in poultry from 75 to 20% prevalence would reduce GHGe intensities (CO 2 eq/kg CW) by 22.5%, 9.11% and 11.3% respectively. Conclusions Controlling livestock disease can reduce MMY losses at the farm level, which improves food security, reduces GHGe and enhances livestock system sustainability.
Research Interests: Vaccines, Health, Infectious Diseases, Environmental Sustainability, Carbon Footprint, and 14 moreAnimal health, Pigs, Vaccine, Endemic Diseases, Vaccination, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Greenhouse Gas, Poultry, Beef Cattle, Greenhouse gases, Livestock disease, Dairy Cattle, Sustainable Food & Farming, and Livestock Health
The beef industry faces a significant challenge in producing sufficient food to supply the requirements of the growing population, while maintaining a culture of continuous improvement and reducing environmental impacts per unit of beef... more
The beef industry faces a significant challenge in producing sufficient food to supply the requirements of the growing population, while maintaining a culture of continuous improvement and reducing environmental impacts per unit of beef produced. Since the late 1970’s, the US beef industry made significant efficiency gains that improved resource use and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and considerable opportunities exist for making greater gains in future. However, beef producers’ future access to specific management practices or technologies may be constrained by consumer perceptions.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Economics, Agricultural Economics, Productivity, Agriculture, Environmental Sustainability, and 10 moreProduction economics, Livestock, Sustainable Food Systems, Beef production, Agricultural Science, Sustainable beef production, Environmental Impact, Sustainable animal production, Sustainable Food & Farming, and Sustainability
Research Interests: Business, Agriculture, Environmental Sustainability, Natural Resource Economics, Food Security, and 10 moreProduction economics, Livestock, Sustainable Food Systems, Beef production, Sustainable beef production, Greenhouse Gas, Animal Sciences, Beef production systems, Sustainable Food & Farming, and Sustainability
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
All stakeholders within the livestock industry face a considerable challenge in achieving a balance between economic viability, environmental responsibility and social acceptability; and thus maintaining sustainable food production. This... more
All stakeholders within the livestock industry face a considerable challenge in achieving a balance between economic viability, environmental responsibility and social acceptability; and thus maintaining sustainable food production. This is exacerbated by information about farming practices and management systems that accentuate consumer concerns and lead to confusion as to the roles of productivity, efficiency and animal health in modern agriculture. The suggestions that intensive farms or large-scale herds have negative effects on cattle health; that we can assess cattle welfare by applying anthropomorphic philosophies; and that extensive systems are inherently beneficial to the environment, appear to be intuitively correct. Yet these suppositions are not as simple as they are often presented in mass media articles aimed at the consumer and lead to a multitude of other questions. Although it is tempting to try and overcome these issues by providing factual information, we cannot overcome negative publicity simply by supplying data and statistics. As an industry, we need to combine improved communication mechanisms with a better understanding of how consumer food-buying decisions are made to ensure future social acceptability and sustainability.
Research Interests: Consumer Behavior, Agriculture, Animal Welfare, Environmental Sustainability, Antimicrobials, and 15 moreAntibiotic Resistance, Antimicrobial drug resistance, Ethical veganism, Consumer Behavior and Food Choice, Consumer Buying Behaviour, Animal health, Economic Sustainability, Antimicrobial resistance, Antibiotics, Dairy cattle nutrition, Cattle, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Factory Farming, and Consumer Behaviour
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Engineering, Cognition, Child Development, Australia, Birth Weight, and 15 moreHumans, Child, Circular Dichroism, Female, Body Composition, Dietary Supplements, Body Mass Index, Clinical Sciences, Food habits, Adult, Gestational Age, Gestation, Cross Sectional Studies, Energy Intake, and Biochemistry and cell biology
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Meat Science, Poultry Science, Sustainable agriculture, Dairy Science, and 12 moreFood Production, Environmental Sustainability, Dairy Science and Technology, Sustainable Food Systems, Beef production, Meat Production, Beef Cattle, Pork Industry, Swine, Sustainable Food & Farming, Coronavirus COVID-19, and COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Research Interests: Environmental Sustainability, Food Science and Technology, Carbon Footprint, Livestock, Water use efficiency, and 9 moreSustainable Food Systems, Land Use, Beef production, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sustainable beef production, Environmental Impact, Beef Cattle, Climate change and sustainable food production, and Sustainable Food & Farming
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Optimizing efficiency in the cow-calf sector is an important step toward improving beef sustainability. The objective of the study was to use a model to identify the relative roles of reproductive, genetic, and nutritional management in... more
Optimizing efficiency in the cow-calf sector is an important step toward improving beef sustainability. The objective of the study was to use a model to identify the relative roles of reproductive, genetic, and nutritional management in minimizing beef production systems' environmental impact in an economically viable, socially acceptable manner. An economic and environmental diet optimizer was used to identify ideal nutritional management of beef production systems varying in genetic and reproductive technology use. Eight management scenarios were compared to a least cost baseline: average U.S. production practices (CON), CON with variable nutritional management (NUT), twinning cattle (TWN), early weaning (EW), sire selection by EPD using either on-farm bulls (EPD-B) or AI (EPD-AI), decreasing the calving window (CW), or selecting bulls by EPD and reducing the calving window (EPD-CW). Diets to minimize land use, water use, and/or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were optimized un...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
8 The effect of supplementing pregnant ewes with marine algae or linseed on milk yield, milk composition and lamb growth rate JL Capper, RG Wilkinson, AM Mackenzie, LA Sinclair Harper Adams University College, Edgmond, Newport, United... more
8 The effect of supplementing pregnant ewes with marine algae or linseed on milk yield, milk composition and lamb growth rate JL Capper, RG Wilkinson, AM Mackenzie, LA Sinclair Harper Adams University College, Edgmond, Newport, United Kingdom Email: j.capper@worc.ac. ...
Jude Capper, a livestock sustainability consultant, argues that adopting a vegan diet isn't a sustainably viable option for the future, and that it is better to encourage UK consumers to buy locally produced goods and follow a... more
Jude Capper, a livestock sustainability consultant, argues that adopting a vegan diet isn't a sustainably viable option for the future, and that it is better to encourage UK consumers to buy locally produced goods and follow a flexitarian diet.
Research Interests:
“Big is bad…small is beautiful…”. We are constantly bombarded by marketing messages suggesting that only small-scale, local, artisan food is environmentally sustainable. Although consumers celebrate efficiency in vehicle mileage per litre... more
“Big is bad…small is beautiful…”. We are constantly bombarded by marketing messages suggesting that only small-scale, local, artisan food is environmentally sustainable. Although consumers celebrate efficiency in vehicle mileage per litre or smart-phone battery life, it appears to be a negative concept when associated with dairy production, as it is linked with large “factory” farms and the perception that farmers are more concerned with profit than with caring for livestock.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
It is reported that supplementing pregnant ewes with supra-optimal levels of vitamin E improves neonatal lamb vigour and growth rate (Merrell, 1998). The biochemical mechanism behind these observations has yet to be elucidated as several... more
It is reported that supplementing pregnant ewes with supra-optimal levels of vitamin E improves neonatal lamb vigour and growth rate (Merrell, 1998). The biochemical mechanism behind these observations has yet to be elucidated as several studies report negligible placental vitamin E transfer in ruminants (Van Saun et al., 1989); consequently, lambs may be clinically deficient in this nutrient at birth and achieve a satisfactory vitamin E status via colostrum ingestion. Lamb vitamin E status may be further diminished by the addition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to the maternal diet. However, PUFA supplementation demonstrably enhances foetal and neonatal development in human studies (Morley, 1998) although these effects have not been investigated in ruminants to any depth. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin E in combination with long-chain PUFA supplementation of ewes on ewe and lamb performance.