William Van Wettere

APrf William Van Wettere

Associate Professor

School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

College of Science

My research interests are broad, but focus primarily on developing management strategies to improve the reproductive performance of female production animals (in particular pigs, sheep and cattle) and increasing the climate resilience of livestock production. This includes:

  • alleviating the impacts of heat stress on ewe and ram fertility
  • understanding the role of melatonin in production animal reproduction, thermoregulation and productivity
  • understanding how production animals adapts physiologically and behaviourally to climatic stress
  • increasing neonatal survival, as well as their growth and reproductive potential
  • developing phenotypic markers of reproductive potential and longevity, 
  • improving the quality of oocyte/embryo donors and embryo recipients,
  • alleviating seasonal infertility
  • improving ovarian function.

Date Position Institution name
2009 - ongoing Senior Lecturer, Intensive Livestock (pigs) The University of Adelaide

Date Institution name Country Title
The University of Adelaide Australia PhD

Year Citation
2025 Lowe, A. M., Kleemann, D. O., Kelly, J. M., Thompson, A. N., Krog, J., van Wettere, W. H. E. J., & Weaver, A. C. (2025). Does Melatonin Enhance Twin Lamb Survival in Commercial Merino Flocks in Australia?. Animals, 15(7), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2024 Munn, A. L., Swinbourne, A. M. F., Brougham, B., van Wettere, W. H. E. J., & Weaver, A. C. (2024). The effects of maternal calcium status during late gestation on lamb growth and survival in twin‐bearing Merino ewes grazing pasture. Australian Veterinary Journal, 102(5), 249-255.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5 Europe PMC3
2024 Weaver, A. C., Kind, K. L., Kelly, J. M., Herde, P., & Van Wettere, W. H. J. (2024). Effect of split weaning on follicle development and oocyte quality in multiparous sows.. Animal reproduction science, 262, 107434.
DOI
2024 Brougham, B. J., Weaver, A. C., Swinbourne, A. M., Cottrell, J. J., Kelly, J. M., Kleemann, D. O., & van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2024). Supplementing dietary betaine during late gestation increases plasma betaine and methionine concentrations in pregnant Merino ewes but not neonatal lambs. Small Ruminant Research, 232, 8 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2024 Van Wettere, W. H. E. J., Culley, S., Swinbourne, A. M. F., Leu, S. T., Lee, S. J., Weaver, A. C., . . . Westra, S. (2024). Heat stress from current and predicted increases in temperature impairs lambing rates and birth weights in the Australian sheep flock. Nature Food, 5(3), 206-210.
DOI Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC4
2024 Weaver, A. C., Kind, K. L., Herde, P. J., & van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2024). Split weaning improves pregnancy rate and embryo survival in sows mated in lactation.. Anim Reprod Sci, 263, 107440.
DOI
2024 Munn, A. L., van Wettere, W. H. E. J., Swinbourne, A. M., Lean, I. J., & Weaver, A. C. (2024). Negative dietary cation and anion difference supplementation of twin-bearing Merino ewes grazing pasture in late gestation did not affect lamb growth or survival.. J Anim Sci, 102, 11 pages.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2024 Brougham, B. -J., Weaver, A. C., Swinbourne, A. M., Tscharke, M. R., Munn, A. L., Kelly, J. M., . . . van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2024). Maternal Supplementation with Dietary Betaine during Late Gestation Increased Ewe Plasma Creatine and Lamb Thermoregulation under Field Conditions.. Animals, 14(17), 2605.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2024 Munn, A. L., van Wettere, W. H., Swinbourne, A. M., Lean, I. J., & Weaver, A. C. (2024). Effects of feeding a negative dietary cation and anion difference diet to twin-bearing Merino ewes in late gestation on parturition outcomes.. Journal of animal science, 102, skae266.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2024 Munn, A. L., Van Wettere, W. H. E. J., Swinbourne, A. M. F., & Weaver, A. C. (2024). Feeding twin-bearing Merino ewes above the metabolisable energy requirements for maintenance during late gestation increases the duration of parturition of the first-born lamb. Animal Production Science, 64(15), AN24158-1-AN24158-11.
DOI
2023 Firman, C. -A. B., Inhuber, V., Cadogan, D. J., Van Wettere, W. H. E. J., & Forder, R. E. A. (2023). Corrigendum to "Effect of in ovo creatine monohydrate on hatchability, posthatch performance, breast muscle yield, and fiber size in chicks from young breeder flocks" [Poult. Sci. 102 (3) (2023) 102447].. Poult Sci, 102(7), 102778.
DOI
2022 Wettere, W. V., Culley, S., Swinbourne, A., Leu, S., Lee, S., Weaver, A., . . . Westra, S. (2022). Current and predicted temperatures impair reproduction in the Australian sheep flock.
DOI
2022 McCarthy, N., Brougham, B. -J., Swinbourne, A. M., Weaver, A. C., Kelly, J. M., Gatford, K. L., . . . Van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2022). Maternal oral supplementation with citrulline increases plasma citrulline but not arginine in pregnant Merino ewes and neonatal lambs. Animal Production Science, 62(6), 521-528.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3
2022 Lewis Baida, B. E., Baumert, M., Kushwaha, A., Swinbourne, A. M., Leu, S. T., & Van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2022). Validation of indwelling vaginal sensor to monitor body temperature in ewes. Animal Biotelemetry, 10(1), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus3 WoS4
2022 Greenwood, E. C., Torok, V. A., & van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2022). Characterizing the vaginal microbiota of high and low producing Poll Merino and White Suffolk ewes.. Transl Anim Sci, 6(4), 1-9.
DOI Scopus9 Europe PMC9
2022 Agenbag, B., Swinbourne, A. M., Petrovski, K., & Van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2022). Validation of a handheld refractometer to assess Merino ewe colostrum and transition milk quality. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(2), 1394-1402.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC5
2022 Firman, C. -A. B., Inhuber, V., Cadogan, D. J., Van Wettere, W. H. E. J., & Forder, R. E. A. (2022). Effect of in ovo creatine monohydrate on hatchability, post-hatch performance, breast muscle yield and fiber size in chicks from young breeder flocks. Poultry Science, 102(3), 102447.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC3
2021 Lewis Baida, B. E., Swinbourne, A. M., Barwick, J., Leu, S. T., & van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2021). Technologies for the automated collection of heat stress data in sheep. Animal Biotelemetry, 9(1), 4-1-4-15.
DOI Scopus48 WoS42
2021 Swinbourne, A. M., Kind, K. L., Flinn, T., Kleemann, D. O., & van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2021). Caffeine: A potential strategy to improve survival of neonatal pigs and sheep. Animal Reproduction Science, 226, 106700.
DOI Scopus11 WoS8 Europe PMC8
2021 Murdock, N. J., Weaver, A. C., Kelly, J. M., Kleemann, D. O., Van Wettere, W. H. E. J., & Swinbourne, A. M. (2021). Supplementing pregnant Merino ewes with caffeine to improve neonatal lamb thermoregulation and viability.. Anim Reprod Sci, 226, 1-11.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC6
2021 Van Wettere, W. H. E. J., Kind, K. L., Gatford, K. L., Swinbourne, A. M., Leu, S. T., Hayman, P. T., . . . Walker, S. K. (2021). Review of the impact of heat stress on reproductive performance of sheep. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 12(1), 26-1-26-18.
DOI Scopus148 WoS125 Europe PMC82
2021 Plush, K. J., McKenny, L. A., Nowland, T. L., & van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2021). The effect of hessian and straw as nesting materials on sow behaviour and piglet survival and growth to weaning. Animal, 15(7), 100273-1-100273-8.
DOI Scopus23 WoS21 Europe PMC12
2021 McCarthy, N., Weaver, A. C., Agenbag, B., Flinn, T., Brougham, B. J., Swinbourne, A. M., . . . van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2021). Maternal lysine, methionine and choline supplementation in twin-bearing Merino ewes during mid-to-late gestation does not alter pregnancy outcomes or progeny growth and survival. Livestock Science, 251, 8 pages.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7
2021 Agenbag, B., Swinbourne, A. M., Petrovski, K., & van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2021). Lambs need colostrum: A review. Livestock Science, 251, 1-8.
DOI Scopus28 WoS26
2021 Munn, A. L., Weaver, A. C., & van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2021). Supplementary tryptophan fed to sows prior to and after farrowing to improve piglet growth and survival. Animals, 11(9), 12 pages.
DOI Scopus7 WoS3 Europe PMC2
2021 Terry, R., Nowland, T. L., Van Wettere, W. H. E. J., & Plush, K. J. (2021). Synthetic Olfactory Agonist Use in the Farrowing House to Reduce Sow Distress and Improve Piglet Survival. Animals, 11(9), 1-13.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC3
2021 Threadgold, T., Greenwood, E. C., & Van Wettere, W. (2021). Identifying Suitable Supplements to Improve Piglet Survival during Farrowing and Lactation. Animals, 11(10), 1-15.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC4
2021 Swinbourne, A. M., Blagojevic, N., Murdock, N. J., Mills, H. B., Flinn, T., McCarthy, N. L., . . . van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2021). Validation of hand-held refractometers for assessing Merino ewe colostrum and neonatal lamb serum. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE, 62(3), 1-11.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5
2020 Nowland, T. L., Kind, K., Hebart, M. L., & Van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2020). Caffeine supplementation at birth, but not 8 to 12 h post-birth, increased 24 h pre-weaning mortality in piglets.. Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience, 14(7), 1529-1535.
DOI Scopus14 WoS13 Europe PMC11
2020 Daly, J., Smith, H., McGrice, H. A., Kind, K. L., & Van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2020). Towards Improving the Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technologies of Cattle and Sheep, with Particular Focus on Recipient Management.. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 10(2), 15 pages.
DOI Scopus22 WoS20 Europe PMC14
2020 Brougham, B. -J., Weaver, A. C., Swinbourne, A. M. F., Lewis Baida, B. E., Kelly, J. M., Walker, S. K., . . . Van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2020). Maternal Supplementation with Dietary Betaine during Gestation to Improve Twin Lamb Survival.. Animals (Basel), 10(10), 14 pages.
DOI Scopus17 WoS15 Europe PMC9
2020 Flinn, T., Gunn, J. R., Kind, K. L., Swinbourne, A. M., Weaver, A. C., Kelly, J. M., . . . Kleemann, D. O. (2020). Maternal melatonin implants improve twin Merino lamb survival. Journal of Animal Science, 98(11), 1-5.
DOI Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC9
2020 Flinn, T., Kleemann, D. O., Swinbourne, A. M., Kelly, J. M., Weaver, A. C., Walker, S. K., . . . van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2020). Neonatal lamb mortality: major risk factors and the potential ameliorative role of melatonin. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 11(1), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus37 WoS32 Europe PMC16
2020 Flinn, T., Mc Carthy, N. L., Swinbourne, A. M., Gatford, K. L., Weaver, A. C., McGrice, H. A., . . . Van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2020). Supplementing Merino ewes with melatonin during the last half of pregnancy improves tolerance of prolonged parturition and survival of second-born twin lambs. Journal of animal science, 98(12), 1-10.
DOI Scopus18 WoS16 Europe PMC9
2019 Greenwood, E. C., van Dissel,, J., Rayner, J., Hughes, P., & Van Wettere, W. (2019). Mixing Sows into Alternative Lactation Housing Affects Sow Aggression at Mixing, Future Reproduction and Piglet Injury, with Marked Differences between Multisuckle and Sow Separation Systems. Animals, 9(9), 658.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC5
2019 Greenwood, E. C., van Wettere, W. H. E. J., Rayner, J., Hughes, P. E., & Plush, K. L. (2019). Provision point-source materials stimulates play in sows but does not affect aggression at regrouping. Animals, 9(1), 1-16.
DOI Scopus9 WoS7 Europe PMC4
2019 Greenwood, E. C., Dickson, C. A., & van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2019). Feeding strategies before and at mixing: The effect on sow aggression and behavior. Animals, 9(1), 17 pages.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC2
2019 Nowland, T. L., van Wettere, W. H. E. J., & Plush, K. J. (2019). Allowing sows to farrow unconfined has positive implications for sow and piglet welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 221, 9 pages.
DOI Scopus31 WoS29
2019 McGrice, H., Kelly, J. M., Kleemann, D. O., Kind, K. L., Hampton, A. J., Hannemann, P., . . . van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2019). Plasma anti-Müllerian hormone concentration as a predictive endocrine marker for selection of donor lambs to improve success in juvenile invitro embryo transfer programs.. Reproduction, fertility, and development, 32(4), 383-391.
DOI Scopus10 WoS9 Europe PMC8
2018 Dearlove, B., Kind, K., Gatford, K., & van Wettere, W. (2018). Oral caffeine administered during late gestation increases gestation length and piglet temperature in naturally farrowing sows. Animal Reproduction Science, 198, 160-166.
DOI Scopus10 WoS9 Europe PMC8
2018 Plush, K., Weaver, A., Staveley, L., & van Wettere, W. (2018). Maternal magnesium sulfate supplementation in a pre-farrow diet improves factors important for piglet viability. Animals, 8(10), 1-11.
DOI Scopus13 WoS13 Europe PMC11
2018 van Wettere, W., Toplis, P., & Miller, H. (2018). Effect of oral progesterone and caffeine at the end of gestation on farrowing duration and piglet growth and survival. Animal, 12(8), 1638-1641.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC7
2017 Dearlove, B. A., Weaver, A. C., Kind, K. L., Gatford, K. L., & Van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2017). Caffeine increases gestation length on a commercial farm. Animal Production Science, 57(12), 2467.
DOI
2017 Greenwood, E., Plush, K., van Wettere, W., & Hughes, P. (2017). A novel method for the analysis of social structure allows in-depth analysis of sow rank in newly grouped sows. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 189, 29-35.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8
2017 Kelly, J. M., Kleemann, D. O., McGrice, H., Len, J. A., Kind, K. L., van Wettere, W. H., & Walker, S. K. (2017). Sex of co-twin affects the in vitro developmental competence of oocytes derived from 6- to 8-week-old lambs. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 29(7), 1379.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC2
2017 de Ruyter, E., Van Wettere, W., Lines, D., & Plush, K. (2017). Gradually reducing sow contact in lactation is beneficial for piglet welfare around weaning. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 193, 43-50.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8
2017 Van Wettere, W. H. E. J., Mitchell, M., Revell, D. K., & Hughes, P. E. (2017). Pre- and peri-pubertal feed intake: effects on age at puberty and potential litter size of replacement gilts. Animal Production Science, 57(6), 1040-1046.
DOI
2017 van Wettere, W., Weaver, A., Greenwood, E., Terry, R., Hughes, P., & Kind, K. (2017). Controlling lactation oestrus: the final frontier for breeding herd management. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 84(9), 883-896.
DOI Scopus13 WoS13 Europe PMC9
2016 Greenwood, E., Plush, K., van Wettere, W., & Hughes, P. (2016). Group and individual sow behavior is altered in early gestation by space allowance in the days immediately following grouping. Journal of Animal Science, 94(1), 385-393.
DOI Scopus17 WoS16 Europe PMC11
2016 Van Wettere, W., Willson, N., Pain, S., & Forder, R. (2016). Effect of oral polyamine supplementation pre-weaning on piglet growth and intestinal characteristics. Animal, 10(10), 1655-1659.
DOI Scopus31 WoS27 Europe PMC21
2016 Condous, P., Plush, K., Tilbrook, A., & van Wettere, W. (2016). Reducing sow confinement during farrowing and in early lactation increases piglet mortality. Journal of Animal Science, 94(7), 3022-3029.
DOI Scopus24 WoS23 Europe PMC12
2016 van Wettere, W. H. E. J., Pain, S. J., & Hughes, P. E. (2016). Dietary ractopamine supplementation during the first lactation affects milk composition, piglet growth and sow reproductive performance. Animal Reproduction Science, 174, 87-92.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC2
2016 Plush, K., Hughes, P., Herde, P., & van Wettere, W. (2016). A synthetic olfactory agonist reduces aggression when sows are mixed into small groups. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 185, 45-51.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8
2015 Kennaway, D., Hughes, P., & van Wettere, W. (2015). Melatonin implants do not alter estrogen feedback or advance puberty in gilts. Animal Reproduction Science, 156, 13-22.
DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC3
2015 Whittaker, A., Plush, K., Terry, R., Hughes, P., Kennaway, D., & Van Wettere, W. (2015). Effects of space allocation and parity on selected physiological and behavioural measures of well-being and reproductive performance in group-housed gestating sows. Livestock Science, 176, 161-165.
DOI Scopus2 WoS1
2015 Terry, R., Kind, K., Weaver, A., Hughes, P., & van Wettere, W. (2015). Optimal timing of boar exposure relative to parturition for stimulation of lactation oestrus. Livestock Science, 177, 181-188.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4
2015 Zemitis, J., Bouwman, E., Langendijk, P., Van Wettere, W., & Kirkwood, R. (2015). Postpartum injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin: Effects on sow ovarian follicles. Journal of Swine Health and Production, 23(3), 137-139.
Scopus6 WoS5
2015 Dearlove, B. A., Kind, K., & Van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2015). Feeding caffeine to sows in gestation reduced stillbirths. Animal Production Science, 55(11-12), 1541.
DOI Scopus3
2014 Weaver, A., Kind, K., Terry, R., & van Wettere, W. (2014). Effects of lactation length and boar contact in early lactation on expression of oestrus in multiparous sows. Animal Reproduction Science, 149(3-4), 238-244.
DOI Scopus7 WoS8 Europe PMC5
2014 Terry, R., Kind, K. L., Lines, D. S., Kennett, T. E., Hughes, P. E., & Van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2014). Lactation estrus induction in multi- and primiparous sows in an Australian commercial pork production system. Journal of Animal Science, 92(5), 2265-2274.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC7
2014 Condous, P., Kirkwood, R., & van Wettere, W. (2014). The effect of pre- and post-mating dietary restriction on embryonic survival in gilts. Animal Reproduction Science, 148(3-4), 130-136.
DOI Scopus8 WoS9 Europe PMC5
2014 Swinbourne, A., Kelly, J., Kind, K., Kennaway, D., & van Wettere, W. (2014). The effects of season and moderate nutritional restriction on ovarian function and oocyte nuclear maturation in cycling gilts. Theriogenology, 82(9), 1303-1309.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC1
2014 Jenvey, C., Van Wettere, W., Reichel, M., & Cockcroft, P. (2014). Investigation of the impact of oral rennet supplementation on serum globulin concentration in neonatal piglets. Journal of Swine Health and Production, 22(6), 282-286.
2014 Greenwood, E., Plush, K., van Wettere, W., & Hughes, P. (2014). Hierarchy formation in newly mixed, group housed sows and management strategies aimed at reducing its impact. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 160(1), 1-11.
DOI Scopus42 WoS38
2013 Terry, R., Kind, K., Hughes, P., Kennaway, D., Herde, P., & Van Wettere, W. (2013). Split weaning increases the incidence of lactation oestrus in boar-exposed sows. Animal Reproduction Science, 142(1-2), 48-55.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC7
2013 Van Wettere, W., Kaisler-Smith, C., Terry, R., Weaver, A., Herde, P., Kennaway, D., . . . Kind, K. (2013). Boar contact is an effective stimulant of ovulation during early lactation. Livestock Science, 155(2), 454-458.
DOI Scopus11 WoS10
2013 Van Wettere, W., Smits, R., & Hughes, P. (2013). Methyl donor supplementation of gestating sow diets improves pregnancy outcomes and litter size. Animal Production Science, 53(1), 1-7.
DOI Scopus17 WoS16
2012 Terry, R., Van Wettere, W., Whittaker, A., Herde, P., & Howarth, G. (2012). Using the noninvasive ¹³C-sucrose breath test to measure intestinal sucrase activity in swine. Comparative Medicine, 62(6), 504-507.
Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2
2012 Tung, E., Roberts, C., Heinemann, G., De Blasio, M., Kind, K., Van Wettere, W., . . . Gatford, K. (2012). Increased placental nutrient transporter expression at mid-gestation after maternal growth hormone treatment in pigs: A placental mechanism for increased fetal growth. Biology of Reproduction, online(5, article no. 126), 1-17.
DOI Scopus25 WoS24 Europe PMC14
2012 Whittaker, A., Van Wettere, W., & Hughes, P. (2012). Space requirements to optimize welfare and performance in group housed pigs: a review. American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 7(2), 48-54.
DOI Scopus16
2012 Van Wettere, W., Herde, P., & Hughes, P. (2012). Supplementing sow gestation diets with betaine during summer increases litter size of sows with greater numbers of parities. Animal Reproduction Science, 132(1-2), 44-49.
DOI Scopus29 WoS23 Europe PMC16
2012 Gatford, K., Smits, R., Collins, C., De Blasio, M., Roberts, C., Nottle, M., . . . Owens, J. (2012). Maternal low-dose porcine somatotropin treatment in late gestation increases progeny weight at birth and weaning in sows but not in gilts. Journal of Animal Science, 90(5), 1428-1435.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2012 Weaver, A., Kelly, J., Kind, K., Gatford, K., Kennaway, D., Herde, P., & Van Wettere, W. (2012). Oocyte maturation and embryo survival in nulliparous female pigs (gilts) is improved by feeding a lupin-based high-fibre diet. Reproduction Fertility and Development, 2012(8), 1-8.
DOI Scopus27 WoS20 Europe PMC17
2011 Van Wettere, W., Mitchell, M., Revell, D., & Hughes, P. (2011). Nutritional restriction of pre-pubertal liveweight gain impairs ovarian follicle growth and oocyte developmental competence of replacement gilts. Theriogenology, 75(7), 1301-1310.
DOI Scopus12 WoS10 Europe PMC5
2010 Miegel, R., Pain, S., Van Wettere, W., Howarth, G., & Stone, D. (2010). Effect of water temperature on gut transit time, digestive enzyme activity and nutrient digestibility in yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi). Aquaculture, 308(3-4), 145-151.
DOI Scopus136 WoS129 Europe PMC48
2009 Gatford, K., De Blasio, M., Roberts, C., Nottle, M., Kind, K., Van Wettere, W., . . . Owens, J. (2009). Responses to maternal GH or ractopamine during early-mid pregnancy are similar in primiparous and multiparous pregnant pigs. Journal of Endocrinology, 203(1), 143-154.
DOI Scopus19 WoS20 Europe PMC16
2009 Bartlett, A., Pain, S., Hughes, P., Stott, P., & Van Wettere, W. (2009). The effects of PG600 and boar exposure on oestrus detection and potential litter size following mating at either the induced (pubertal) or second oestrus. Animal Reproduction Science, 114(1-3), 219-227.
DOI Scopus18 WoS19 Europe PMC15
2008 Van Wettere, W., Pain, S., Stott, P., & Hughes, P. (2008). Mixing gilts in early pregnancy does not affect embryo survival. Animal Reproduction Science, 104(2-4), 382-388.
DOI Scopus16 WoS14 Europe PMC8
2006 Van Wettere, W., Revell, D., Mitchell, M., & Hughes, P. (2006). Increasing the age of gilts at first boar contact improves the timing and synchrony of the pubertal response but does not affect potential litter size. Animal Reproduction Science, 95(1-2), 97-106.
DOI Scopus34 WoS32 Europe PMC15

Year Citation
2018 Lee, S., Brien, F., van WETTERE, W., & Pitchford, W. (2018). Consideration of recording plasma Anti-Mullerian Hormone as a correlated trait to reproductive rate in beef cattle to inform selection. In Proceedings of the 11th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. online: Royal Society of New Zealand.
2012 van Wettere, W., Terry, R., Weaver, A., Herde, P., & Hughes, P. (2012). Adding lupins to pre-mating diets improved potential litter size of gilts mated during the seasonal infertility period. In REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS Vol. 47 (pp. 570). Vancouver, CANADA: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2012 Weaver, A., Kind, K., Terry, R., & van Wettere, W. (2012). Effect of lactation and boar exposure during early lactation on expression of oestrus in multiparous sows. In REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS Vol. 47 (pp. 556). Vancouver, CANADA: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2012 Terry, R., Kind, K., Weaver, A., & van Wettere, W. (2012). Boar contact is an effective stimulant of lactation oestrus. In REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS Vol. 47 (pp. 556). Vancouver, CANADA: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2011 Kelly, J. M., Weaver, A., Kleemann, D. O., Frazer, L. M., Kind, K. L., van Wettere, W. H., & Walker, S. K. (2011). AN IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR THE <i>IN</i> <i>VITRO</i> PRODUCTION OF PORCINE EMBRYOS. In REPRODUCTION FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT Vol. 23 (pp. 206-207). CSIRO PUBLISHING.
DOI
2007 Gatford, K., De Blasio, M., Harland, M., Roberts, C., Heinemann, G., Nottle, M., . . . Owens, J. (2007). Effects of maternal somatotropin injections or feeding ractopamine in early-mid pregnancy in gilts and sows -UTV-AC-8/05. In J. Paterson, & J. Barker (Eds.), Proceedings of Manipulating Pig Production XI (pp. 1). Victoria: Australasian Pig Science Association.
2006 Van Wettere, W., Revell, D., Mitchell, M., & Hughes, P. (2006). The influence of growth rate on ovarian characteristics of pre-pubertal gilts. In Proceedings of the VIIth International Conference on Pig Reproduction (pp. 0 pages). Kerkrade, The Netherlands: Nottingham University Press.
2006 Van Wettere, W., Revell, D., Mitchell, M., & Hughes, P. (2006). Gilt age at first boar contact affects the pubertal response but not potential litter size. In Proceedings of the VIIth International Conference on Pig Reproduction (pp. 0 pages). Kerkrade, The Netherlands: Nottingham University Press.
2005 Van Wettere, W., Mitchell, M., Revell, D., & Hughes, P. (2005). Management and nutritional factors affecting puberty attainment and first litter size in replacement gilts. In J. Paterson (Ed.), Proceedings of the Tenth Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association (Inc.) (pp. 180-187). Werribee, Victoria, Australia: Australasian Pig Science Association (INC.).
2005 Van Wettere, W., Mitchell, M., Schulz, S., Revell, D., & Hughes, P. (2005). The effect of growth characteristics on the ovarian follicle population of pre-pubertal gilts. In J. Paterson (Ed.), Proceedings of the Tenth Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association (Inc.) (pp. 201). Werribee, Victoria, Australia: Australasian Pig Science Association (INC.).
2005 Van Wettere, W., Mitchell, M., Revell, D., & Hughes, P. (2005). Live weight gain affects gilt reproductive performance. In J. Paterson (Ed.), Manipulating pig production X : proceedings of the Tenth Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association (Inc.) (pp. Unknown). New Zealand: Australasian Pig Science Association.

Year Citation
2018 Swinbourne, A. M., Flinn, T., McCarthy, N., Kelly, J., Gatford, K., Kind, K., . . . Van Wettere, W. (2018). The effects of maternal melatonin supplementation on blood glucose and thermoregulation in neonatal lambs. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Joint Annual Scientific Meetings of the Endocrine Society of Australia and the Society for Reproductive Biology.
2018 Flinn, T., Swinbourne, A., McCarthy, N., Kelly, J., Gatford, K., Kind, K., . . . Van Wettere, W. (2018). The effects of maternal melatonin supplementation in mid to late gestating singleton and twin-bearing merino ewes on growth parameters at birth. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Joint Annual Scientific Meetings of the Endocrine Society of Australia and the Society for Reproductive Biology. Adelaide, South Australia.
2016 Plush, K., Brien, F., van WETTERE, W., & Hynd, P. (2016). Preparing the neonate for the transition from intra- to extra-uterine life. Poster session presented at the meeting of Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production. Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
2013 Swinbourne, A. M., Kelly, J., Kind, K., Kennaway, D., & Van Wettere, W. (2013). The effects of season and moderate feed restriction on oocyte developmental competence in cycling gilts. Poster session presented at the meeting of 14th Australasian Pig Science Association Manipulating Pig Production 2013 Conference. Melbourne, Victoria. Australia.

Below are grants and funding, from 2013 onwards, including current projects

Improving the climate resilience of the Australian Sheep Flock (2022 onwards)

Quantifying and improving the reproductive performance of Australia's Shedding Sheep flock (2023 to 2027)

Improving twin lamb survival through melatonin implants: commercial validation, MDC, 2021 to 2023

Sheep thermoregulation and fertility, Sheep Industry Funds, 2021 to 2024

Improving productivity and wellbeing of flocks joined during periods of heat using melatonin implants, Sheep Industry Funds 2021 to 2023

Characterising the vaginal microbes of high and low producing Poll Merino and White Suffolk Ewes, MDC, 2020

A review of the impact of heat stress on reproductive performance in sheep, MLA, 2019 to 2020

Evaluating the ability of anti-müllerian hormone to predict ewe reproductive rate, AWI, 2018 to 2023

Nutritional supplementation to increase the number of pigs weaned and the fertility of sows which farrow and are mated during summer / early autumn, APRIL, 2018 to 2020.

New approaches to increase the weaning rate of the national sheep-flock: MLA, 2017 to 2022

Maternal caffeine supplementation in early lactation, effects on piglet viability, growth and survival: Pig Industry Fund, 2018

Fenceline boar exposure at the end of lactation to improve reproductive performance of group-housed sows: Pork CRC, 2017 - 2018

Effect of maternal supplementation with creatine and caffeine prior to farrowing on piglet growth and survival: a commercial study: Australian Pork, 2016 to 2018

Alleviating seasonal infertility and increasing the female: male ratio in litters by manipulating dietary intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids: Australian Pork, 2016 - 2018

Reducing the confinement of peri-parturient and lactating sows: Pork CRC, 2015 - 2017

Reducing sow stress around farrowing: Pork CRC, 2015 - 2018

Conception to culling - effective management of the gilt to optimize reproduction and longevity: Australian Pork, 2015 - 2019

Maternal creatine monohydrate supplementation: A novel strategy to buffer the neonate against hypoxia and reduce preweaning mortality: Australian Pork, 2013 to 2015

I teach across a number of courses, my primary teaching areas are animal husbandry, pig production and  reproductive endocrinology and physiology. I co-ordinate three undergraduate courses:

Animal Handling and Husbandry (year one)

Livestock Production (year two)

Pig Production: Science into Practice (summer elective, involving undergraduate students and industry representatives)

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2024 Principal Supervisor Heat tolerance and reproduction of rams and ewes that shed Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Sarah Myfanwy Hughes
2024 Principal Supervisor Heat tolerance and reproduction of rams and ewes that shed Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Sarah Myfanwy Hughes
2019 Principal Supervisor Colostrum Quality in Merino Ewes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Bianca Agenbag
2019 Principal Supervisor Colostrum Quality in Merino Ewes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Bianca Agenbag

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2021 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Understanding the impact of ewe metabolic state and mineral status on parturition duration and the incidence of dystocia. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Amy Laurel Munn
2020 - 2025 Principal Supervisor Thermoregulation in response to heat stress in sheep and impacts on fertility Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Bobbie Emilia Lewis Baida
2020 - 2025 Principal Supervisor Understanding the impact of maternal betaine and guanidinoacetic acid supplementation on lamb viability and survival Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Billie-Jaye Brougham
2017 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Understanding anti-Müllerian hormone and its value as a phenotypic marker of fertility within commercial sheep production Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Jamee Daly
2015 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Early indicators of a gilt’s reproductive potential Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Lauren Mackenzie Staveley
2013 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Optimising the management of group housed, gestating sows Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Emma Catharine Greenwood
2013 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Improving the Welfare and Performance of the Sow and Piglet in Confinement and Reduced Confinement Farrowing and Lactation Housing Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Patricia Charlotte Condous
2010 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Managing the lactating sow to stimulate lactation oestrus Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Robyn Terry
2010 - 2016 Co-Supervisor The induction of a fertile oestrus in lactating sows and the subsequent effect mating in lactation has on oocyte quality and embryo survival Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Alice Caroline Weaver

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2015 - ongoing Member Pork CRC Research and Development Committee - -
2009 - ongoing Member Pork CRC education committee - Australia

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