Priority Area: Ensuring animal health and welfare
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Validating a novel serological panel for bovine fatty liver syndrome
Pralle’s project will determine the incidence, consequences, and financial impact of bovine fatty liver syndrome, a metabolic disorder than can develop in pre- or post-calving cows, with a newly-developed blood-based…
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Individual feed intake monitoring system for cross-disciplinary dairy production research
Pralle’s project will install a RIC2Discover feed intake system, which is a fully automated technology that monitors individual cow feed intake and feeding behavior, at Pioneer Farm at UW–Platteville. The…
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A centralized histology and microscopy software resource to disentangle gene-environmental interactions that drive fetal programming and nutrient partitioning in the dairy cow
Leone’s project will develop a centralized DIH Histology and Microscopy Resource to be used with histology and microscopy equipment, software modules, a live-cell CO2 imaging stage, and a cryostat, to…
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Preliminary comparison of HolSim cattle vs. Angus x Holstein cattle
UW–River Falls and the Holstein Association USA are working to provide dairy and beef farmers with research into dairy-beef feedlot performance and carcass composition that provide premiums. This information will…
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Evaluation of two caustic paste brands when disbudding calves
In the US, more than 94 percent of dairy calves require disbudding, a process that removes their horn tissue. Caustic paste is increasing in popularity; however, no research has been…
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Gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer for analysis of compounds found in forages, rumen fluid and gases, and blood/milk samples
Ferraretto’s project will use a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer for analysis of compounds found in forages (lactate, short-chain fatty acids, volatile organic compounds), rumen fluid and gases (lactate, short-chain…
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Dietary fiber and starch digestibility effects on feeding behavior and lactation performance
Carbohydrates like fiber and starch are known to influence intake patterns and therefore lactation performance by dairy cows. Because of this, there have been recent research efforts to identify new…
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Innovative methods to detect and protect against heat stress in dairy calves
Wisconsin dairy cows and calves are susceptible to rising global temperatures which threatens animal welfare, health, and productivity. This project seeks to identify heat stress thresholds in Wisconsin dairy calves.…
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Innovative solutions for sustainable improvement of dairy cow fertility
Intense selection for productive traits has negatively affected dairy cow fertility in the last half century. Poor fertility is leading to significant economic losses. Dairy farmers in Wisconsin have been…
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DairyTrader®: A cull dairy cow price estimation app to help farmer decision-making
Culling decisions, a key component of successful dairy farm, are a frequently faced challenge for many dairy farmers. In addition to involuntary culling of cows due to illness, injury, or…








