Priority Area: Ensuring animal health and welfare
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Improving udder hygiene and reducing mastitis through adoption of an automated teat preparation system at Mann Valley Farm
This project introduces innovative automation to dairy operations at the Mann Valley Farm by implementing an advanced teat preparation system that standardizes udder hygiene before milking. The system automates washing,…
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Enhancing safety, animal welfare, and research capacity with upgraded headlocks and automated livestock curtains at Mann Valley Farm
This project strengthens the capabilities of the Mann Valley Farm dairy facility at UW–River Falls by introducing improved animal handling systems and automated environmental controls. Enhanced headlocks support safer, more…
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Molecular epidemiology of pathogens isolated from subclinical mastitis cases in Wisconsin dairy cows
This research focuses on subclinical mastitis, a common but often unnoticed infection in dairy cows that can quietly reduce milk quality and production. Even though infected cows may look healthy,…
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Farm GPT (herd pilot): custom LLM advisor for dairy cow health monitoring with precision data for bovine management
Dairy farming in Wisconsin and across the United States is becoming increasingly complex. Farmers must balance animal health, milk production, feed efficiency, labor management, and environmental conditions—all while operating within…
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Captive bolt placement effects on tissue depth and thalamic damage in dairy cattle cadavers
This project aims to improve the effectiveness of penetrating captive bolt (PCB) stunning and euthanasia in cattle by refining placement recommendations based on anatomical evidence. Specifically, it focuses on three…
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Understanding and reducing pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows
Early pregnancy loss is one of the biggest reproductive challenges in dairy farming, with about one‑third of pregnancies failing in the first month. These losses stem from either embryo death…
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Developing practical educational tools to advance dairy workforce training and improve milk quality and udder health
Mastitis remains the most common and costly health challenge in U.S. dairy herds, even as milk quality has steadily improved. Because mastitis prevention depends heavily on daily milking routines and…
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Measuring methane emissions in young bulls: the fast track to more sustainable dairy farming?
Reducing methane emissions from dairy cattle is essential for building a more sustainable future for the U.S. dairy industry. While most research has focused on lactating cows, young animals—especially growing…
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Förster-Technik CalfRail System
The Förster-Technik CalfRail System is an automated feeding system that helps farmers care for their calves more efficiently. It works by moving a milk feeder along a rail between pens,…
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Engineering beyond the brown midrib phenotype: Using tissue- and cell-type specific engineering to improve the agronomic traits of digestible brown midrib maize mutants
Brown midrib (bm) maize mutants are known for their improved forage digestibility, but they often suffer from poor plant growth, limiting their use on farms. This project aims to genetically…
