Research Scientist with over 9 years of experience in applied research and 5 years of teaching experience. My focus is on developing innovative strategies to improve the productivity, health, and welfare of beef cattle and sheep. Over the past five years, I have secured more than $4 million in project funding and contracts as a principal investigator or research collaborator. In my current role, I concentrate on developing and testing cost-effective practices and emerging technologies that can be easily adopted by producers. With extensive experience leading research teams and mentoring students in both field and lab settings, my work has influenced industry practices across Western Canada. I am passionate about teaching and guiding projects from concept to completion, demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence.
Lead the research team in the identification of treatment strategies for the most common causes of lameness in feedlot cattle (digital dermatitis, foot rot, and toe tip necrosis). Funding: Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC)
1. Member of Animal Care Committee | 07/2021 - Current
Olds College of Agriculture and Technology - Olds, Alberta, Canada
2. Guest Editor | 11/2023 - Current
Animals Journal | MDPI. Special Issue: Exploring Stress Responses in Farm Animals: A Focus on Physiological and Behavioral Aspects. Impact Factor: 2.7, Indexed In: PubMed, Cite Score: 4.9; https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals/special_issues/R4YMJ1M5JG
3. Scientific Reviewer | 09/2024 - Current
· Animals Journal | MDPI; https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals
· Applied Sciences | MDPI; https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci
· Veterinary Sciences | MDPI; https://www.mdpi.com/journal/vetsci
4. Scientific Committee Member| 02/2024 - 05/2024
· Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative
1. Gellatly D, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, Nordi WM, Silver T, Jelinski M. Clinical progression of a case of toe tip necrosis syndrome in a feedlot steer. Submitted to The Canadian Veterinary Journal on August, 2024.
2. Meléndez DM, Marti S, Gellatly D, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS. Can we mitigate pain associated with castration in beef cattle at early ages? -What it means for animal welfare, productivity and consumer perception: a review. Submitted to the Canadian Journal of Animal Science on March, 2024.
3. Wong NST, Malmuthge N, Gellatly D, Nordi WM, Alexander T, Polo RO, et al. Characterization of the hoof bacterial communities in feedlot cattle affected with digital dermatitis, foot rot or both using a surface swab technique. Anim Microbiome, 6, 2, 2024
4. Gellatly D, Marti S, Pajor EA, Meléndez DM, Moya D, Janzen ED, et al. Effect of a single subcutaneous injection of meloxicam on chronic indicators of pain and inflammatory responses in 2-month-old knife and band-castrated beef calves housed on pasture. Livestock Science, 244, 2021
5. Gellatly D, Cyrillo JN S G, Sant'Anna AC, Valente TS, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, Paranhos da Costa MJR. Flight speed as an indicator of Zebu cattle growth performance and suitability to the feedlot environment. Animal Production Science, 60, 560-566, 2020
6. Macitelli F, Braga JS, Gellatly D, Paranhos da Costa MJR. Reduced space in outdoor feedlot impacts beef cattle welfare. Animal, 14, 12, 2588-2597, 2020
7. Nordi WM, Marti S, Gellatly D, Meléndez DM, González LA, McAllister, et al. Effect of preemptive flunixin meglumine and lidocaine on behavioral and physiological indicators of pain post-band and knife castration in 6-month-old beef calves. Livestock Science, 230, 103838, 2019
8. Meléndez DM, Marti S, Pajor EA, Sidhu PK, Gellatly D, Moya D, et al. Pharmacokinetics of oral and subcutaneous meloxicam: effect on indicators of pain and inflammation after knife castration in weaned beef calves. PLoS ONE, 14, 5, e0217518, 2019
9. Marti S, Meléndez DM, Pajor EA, Moya D, Gellatly D, Janzen ED, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS. Effect of a single dose of subcutaneous meloxicam before knife castration alone or combined with hot-iron branding on scrotal healing, inflammatory response, and behaviour in 2-month-old beef calves. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 2018
10. Marti S, Meléndez DM, Pajor EA, Moya D, Gellatly D, Janzen ED, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS. Effects of a single dose of subcutaneous meloxicam prior to band or knife castration in 1-wk-old beef calves: II. Inflammatory response and healing. J Anim Sci, 96, 4136-4148, 2018
11. Meléndez DM, Marti S, Pajor EA, Sidhu PK, Gellatly D, Moya D, et al. Effect of meloxicam and lidocaine administered alone or in combination on indicators of pain and distress during and after knife castration in weaned beef calves. PLoS ONE, 13, 11, e0207289, 2018
12. Meléndez DM, Marti S, Pajor EA, Moya D, Heuston CE M, Gellatly D, et al. Effect of subcutaneous Meloxicam on indicators of acute pain and distress after castration and branding in 2-mo-old beef calves., J Anim Sci, 96, 3608-3621, 2018
13. Meléndez DM, Marti S, Pajor EA, Moya D, Gellatly D, Janzen ED, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS. Effect of a single dose of meloxicam prior to band or knife castration in 1-wk-old beef calves: I. Acute Pain. J Anim Sci, 96, 1268-1280, 2018
14. Marti S, Meléndez DM, Pajor EA, Moya D, Heuston CE M, Gellatly D, et al. Effect of band and knife castration of beef calves on welfare indicators of pain at three relevant industry ages: II. Chronic pain. J Anim Sci, 95, 4367-4380, 2017
15. Marti S, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, Janzen ED, Meléndez DM, Gellatly D, Pajor EA. Use of topical healing agents in scrotal wounds after surgical castration in weaned calves. J Can Vet, 58, 1081-1085, 2017
16. Meléndez DM, Marti S, Pajor EA, Moya D, Gellatly D, Janzen ED, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS. Effect of timing of subcutaneous meloxicam administration on indicators of pain after knife castration of weaned calves. J Anim Sci, 95, 5218-5229, 2017
17. Meléndez DM, Marti S, Pajor EA, Moya D, Heuston CE M, Gellatly D, et al. Effect of band and knife castration of beef calves on welfare indicators of pain at three relevant industry ages: I. Acute pain. J Anim Sci, 95, 4352-4366, 2017
*Full List of Scientific Publication is Available on Google Scholar:
https://scholar.google.ca/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=desiree+gellatly&oq=desire
1. Gellatly, D. Steaks and Stakes: Enhancing Beef Cattle Welfare and Productivity through Extension in Western Canada. In: International Symposium on Animal Welfare as Added Value in Livestock Production Chains (Paranhos da Costa MJR., Sant’Anna AC., eds.) [Published in Portuguese]. Funep. ISBN: 978-65-5671-059-4
2. Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, Gellatly D, Meléndez DM, Marti S. 2018. Welfare issues in feedlot cattle. In: The Welfare of Cattle (Engle T., Klingborg D., and Rollin B., eds.). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
1. Novel exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (EFE) and yeast cell wall (YCW) carbohydrates for sustainable beef cattle production, Funding: RDAR / Accelerating Agricultural Innovations 2.0, Contribution: Research Scientist Collaborator. Funded, 2025-2028. Total Budget: CAD$ 528,750.00
2. Assessment of Large Lidocaine Impregnated Elastrator Band (LidoBand™ L) for Castration of Weaned Calves, Funding: RDAR, Contribution: Principal Investigator. Under review, 2025-2026. Total Budget: CAD$ 392,802.00
3. Effects of Large Lidocaine-Impregnated Bands for Castration on Feed Intake, Feeding Behavior, and Growth Performance of Weaned Calves, Funding: Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), Contribution: Principal Investigator, Under review, 2024-2025. Total Budget: CAD$ 63,243.56
4. Regenerative Agriculture Research Centre, Funding: Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Contribution: Research Scientist Collaborator. Under review, 2024-2025. Total Budget: CAD$ 1.3 MM
5. Impacts of Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance on Intake, Feeding Behavior, Growth, Stress, and Health in Weaned Beef Heifer: Pilot-study, Fee-for-service (applied research), Contribution: Principal Investigator. Ongoing, 2024-2024. Total Budget: CAD$ 9,676.00
6. Removal of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted from the feedlot pen surface with hydrogen peroxide dispersion: a pilot study in lab condition, Funding: National Research Council Canada / IRAP, Contribution: Research Scientist Collaborator. Completed, 2023-2024. Total Budget: CAD$ 10,000.00
7. Identification of predictive blood biomarkers related to sheep parasitic infections via metabolomics, Funding: RDAR/AFC, Alberta Lamb Producers, and Ontario Sheep Farmers. Contribution: Research Scientist Collaborator. Ongoing, 2022-2024. Total Budget: CAD$ 241,885.00
8. Development and validation of a device aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of uterine prolapse on cows' health and welfare, Funding: National Research Council Canada / IRAP, Contribution: Principal Investigator. Completed, 2023-2023. Total Budget: CAD$ 6,000.00
9. Development of a novel automated system based on machine learning for estrus detection in beef cattle, Funding: National Research Council Canada / IRAP, Contribution: Principal Investigator. Completed, 2023-2023. Total Budget: CAD$ 11,249.50
10. Tactile stimulation in newborn calves: a novel strategy to improve herd productivity, health, and welfare in cow-calf operations in Alberta, Fee-for-service (Applied Research), Contribution: Principal Investigator. Ongoing, 2021-2028. Total Budget: CAD$ 3,352.00
11. Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production – NSERC CCI Program, Funding: NSERC, Contribution: Lead Research Scientist. 2021 – 2026. Total Budget: CAD$ 1.7 MM
12. Comparing the effects of weaning methods and imprinting on calf performance, health and welfare, Fee-for-service (Applied Research), Contribution: Principal Investigator. Completed, 2021-2021. Total Budget: CAD$ 4,543.00
13. Effect of flunixin meglumine on the pregnancy rate in embryo transfer recipient beef cows, Fee-for-service (Applied Research), Contribution: Principal Investigator. Completed, 2021-2021. Total Budget: CAD$ 4,632.00
14. Effects of handling acclimation procedures prior to breeding on reproductive performance and handling reactivity in beef heifers: replicate study, Fee-for-service (Applied Research), Contribution: Principal Investigator. Completed, 2021-2021. Total Budget: CAD$ 7,374.00
15. Effects of handling acclimation procedures prior to breeding on reproductive performance and handling reactivity in beef cows: assessment of the second year of the breeding season, Fee-for-service (Applied Research), Contribution: Principal Investigator. Completed, 2021-2021. Total Budget: CAD$ 4,797.00
16. Low-stress weaning on calf performance, health, and welfare, Fee-for-service (Applied Research), Contribution: Principal Investigator. Completed, 2020-2021. Total Budget: CAD$ 5,483.00
17. Effects of handling acclimation procedures prior to breeding on reproductive performance, handling reactivity and stress in beef heifers, Funding: NSERC/Engage, Contribution: Principal Investigator. Completed, 2020-2020. Total Budget: CAD$ 25,000.00
1. New Insights into “Low-stress” Weaning, 09/2024, Alberta Beef Producers, Volume 4 Issue 3
2. Raising Breeding Standards for Heifers, 07/15/2024, Farming for Tomorrow: Entrepreneurs in Agriculture, Angela Lovell, https://farmingfortomorrow.ca/featured/raising-breeding-standards-for-heifers/
3. Advancing Reproductive Efficiency & Stress Management in Beef Heifers, 04/11/2024, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ResearchStory-HistoireRecherche_eng.asp?ID=1805
4. Advancing Reproductive Efficiency and Stress Management in Beef Heifers: A Western Canadian Perspective, 01/17/2024, Gelbvieh Magazine Guide, https://issuu.com/canadiangelbviehassociation/docs/spring_2024_gelbvieh_guide_print
5. “Massage Therapy” on Beef Calves, 06/10/2023, Frontline Farming Canada (RFD-TV Canada) / The Cowboy Channel – Season 5/Episode 5 with Dianne Finstad, https://www.oldscollege.ca/smart-farm-research/areas-of-focus/livestock-production.html
6. First Impressions, 05/31/2023, Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine, Dilan Biggs, https://issuu.com/tanneryoung.com/docs/ccc_2304_issuu
7. One-minute Spa Treatment Can Boost Calf Health, 05/25/2023, The Western Producer Magazine, William DeKay, https://www.producer.com/livestock/one-minute-spa-treatment-can-boost-calf-health/
8. Handling Acclimation Practices Increase Pregnancy Rates in Heifers, Winter/Spring 2023, Horizons Magazine, https://www.oldscollege.ca/_media/horizons-winter-2023.indd1.pdf
9. The Real Money Behind Calf Petting, 01/29/2023, Livestock Gentec Newsletter, https://livestockgentec.ualberta.ca/2023/01/29/the-real-behind-calf-petting/
10. Reducing Fear in Heifers Can Pay Off, 08/11/2022, The Western Producer Magazine, Doug Ferguson, https://www.producer.com/livestock/reducing-fear-in-heifers-can-pay-off/
11. More Relaxed Animals = Improved Reproductive Efficiency, Spring/Summer 2021, Horizons Magazine, https://www.oldscollege.ca/_media/more-relaxed-animals-improved-reproductive-efficiency.pdf
12. Replicate Study: Handling acclimation procedures prior to breeding improved reproductive performance, handling reactivity and stress in beef heifers., 2021, https://www.oldscollege.ca/smart-farm-research/research-projects/livestock/completed/heifer-development-handling-acclimation.html
13. Handling acclimation procedures prior to breeding improved reproductive performance, handling reactivity and stress in beef heifers., 2020 Summary, https://www.oldscollege.ca/smart-farm-research/research-projects/livestock/completed/heifer-development-handling-acclimation.html
1. Fundamentals of Animal Behavior and Welfare, Guest speaker for LVS 1370 Course: Principles of Animal Agriculture, Olds, AB, Canada, 09/25/2024
2. Understanding Cattle Behavior: Insights and Techniques for Low-Stress Handling, Lecture and Demo at AgSmart Event, AgSmart and Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, Olds, AB, Canada, 08/01/2024
3. Advancing Animal Welfare: Exploring the Pros and Cons of Technological Innovations for Livestock Animals, HCFAI (Human Computer Farm Animal Interactions) Webinar: Farm Tech Meets Animal Care, University of Guelph & Dalhousie University, 06/03/2024
4. Optimizing Heifer Reproduction Efficiency Through a Cost-Effective Handling Approach, Livestock Roundup Symposium: Designer Cows for Your Ranch, Olds, AB, Canada, Grey Wooded Forage Association, 03/02/2024
5. Low-stress handling demonstration, Ranching Opportunities Event, Red Bow Ag, Olds, AB, Canada, 02/08/2024
6. Steaks and stakes: Enhancing beef cattle welfare and productivity through extension in Western Canada, International Symposium: Animal Welfare as an Added Value in Livestock Production Chains, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, ETCO Research Group (ETCO) – Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), 12/16/2023
7. Low-Stress Animal Handling, 13th Annual CARA Cattlemen Clinic, Oyen, AB, Canada, Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA), 11/23/2024
8. Understanding cattle behavior to enhance handling, productivity, and welfare, Second Ultimate Stockmanship Challenge, Nanton, AB, Canada, Malcolm MacLean, 07/14/2023
9. Understanding cattle behavior to improve handling practices, Grazing School for Women, Longview, AB, Canada, 07/27/2023
10. A Novel Management Approach for Neonatal Calves, AGTECH TALKS: Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, 07/06/2023
11. Low-stress handling demonstration, Ranching Opportunities Event, Red Bow Ag, Olds, AB, Canada, 02/09/2023
12. Handling acclimation reduces beef heifers' stress levels and improves the pregnancy rate, Cattle Nutrition, Conditioning & Genomics Workshop, Livestock Gentec, Spruce Grove, AB, Canada, 12/06/2022
13. Using Tactile Stimulation in Newborn calves and Different Weaning Methods to Improve Growth Performance and Welfare, AgSmart and Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, Olds, AB, Canada, 08/10/2022
14. Heifer Acclimation Project, Livestock Roundup 2022: Innovative Tools for Improvement, Lacombe, AB, Canada, Grey Wooded Forage Association, 06/22/2022
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