Priority Area: Ensuring animal health and welfare
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The antimicrobial dilemma: Exploring the effects of prophylactic antimicrobials on microbial colonization and immune development in dairy calves
The preweaning period is one of the most vulnerable stages in a dairy calf’s life, with high rates of illness and death still common across North America. While antibiotics have…
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Fluidized bed drying (FBD) vs. spray drying (SD) of liquid whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC): oxidate self-life, in-vitro digestion, and therapeutic potential
Whey Protein Phospholipid Concentrate (WPPC) is prone to oxidation during processing and storage, which reduces its quality and value. This project explores a new fluidized bed drying (FBD) method that…
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Genomic solutions to reduce fetal loss in dairy cattle
Pregnancy loss after 42 days of gestation is a major barrier to reproductive efficiency in dairy herds, impacting animal welfare, milk production, and farm profitability. This graduate research project will…
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Leveraging blockchain for data security in the dairy farm – phase 2
This project at UW–Platteville’s Pioneer Farm aims to improve how data is managed and protected on modern dairy farms. Today’s farms generate a lot of digital information, but it’s often…
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Integrated data framework for Pioneer Farm: Enhancing analytics and security
Modern dairy farms use many digital tools and technologies to manage everything from feeding to milking. At UW-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm, these tools generate a lot of valuable data, but that…
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Demonstration feed mill
A new project at UW-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm will bring a small-scale feed mill to life inside the maternity cow barn, giving students hands-on experience while supporting research that promotes animal…
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Increasing nutritional density of alfalfa through the application of locally-sourced effective microorganisms
This project investigates whether adding locally-sourced effective microorganisms (LEM) to alfalfa can enhance its nutritional value as dairy feed. Previous studies have shown that LEMs can increase essential nutrients in…
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Further development of Dairy Forage Fractionation (DFF) equipment
Wisconsin dairy farms rely on high-quality feed to keep their animals healthy and productive, but current methods for improving forage digestibility are often too expensive or impractical. This project aims…
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Management and housing practices related to bulk tank milk butterfat and protein concentration in WI dairy herds
Over the years, U.S. dairy farmers have significantly improved milk production and enhanced milkfat and protein levels, key components for high-quality dairy products like cheese. In Wisconsin, where dairy is…
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Ultracentrifuge enhances research capacity within Dairy Innovation Hub and teaching opportunities for UW-River Falls
Mastitis is one of the most common and costly diseases affecting dairy cows in the U.S., leading to significant losses for farmers due to treatment expenses, reduced milk production, and…