Dairy Cattle Research

Automated monitoring of dairy cattle has become a reality to improve the health, performance, and welfare of the modern dairy industry. Our team is leading research in this area with particular focus on evaluating new technologies and developing strategies to optimize management through their use.

Dairy cattle have been historically selected for efficient milk production. Recently, selection for fertility traits has become a focus of the dairy industry. Our team is conducting exciting new research to better understand the consequences of selection for production and fertility traits on reproductive physiology of heifers and lactating cows.

The success of dairy operations depends on an effective reproductive management. In the last 30 decades, reproductive management of dairy animals has evolved as technology has evolved. Our team is in the forefront of research to understand how to implement these new technologies in the reproductive management of cattle.

Maintenance of uterine health following parturition is a major contributor to fertility in dairy cows. Our team is leading research using multi-omic approaches (microbiome and metabolome) to understand this disease and develop novel strategies to prevent and treat it.

A healthy and productive dairy cow results from a healthy early-life. In the SE, heat stress and respiratory diseases are major challenges to the health and welfare of calves. Our team is leading research to investigate strategies to reduce the negative effects of heat stress and to prevent respiratory diseases in calves.

Udder health is paramount for the health and welfare of dairy cattle. Infection of the udder is responsible for $2 billion economic loss. Our team is a leader in the SE of the USA in assisting dairy producers to prevent this disease and has been carrying out research to reduce its incidence and improve the welfare of cattle affected by it.