Priority Area: Ensuring animal health and welfare
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Selection for resilient dairy cows
This project seeks to improve the health and welfare of dairy cows and the sustainability of dairy farms by genetic selection for resistance to, and rapid recovery from, environmental and…
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Buccal swabbing as a molecular tool for rumen microbial profiling and diagnosis in dairy cattle
A healthy and optimal rumen microbiome is critical to the wellbeing of highly productive dairy cows. Current methods for rumen sampling are invasive, laborious, and infeasible for large herds. A…
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Comparing the efficacy of EGTA and 5-HTP induction and resolution of hypocalcemia in dairy cows
Hypocalcemia, which causes lethargy and death if left untreated, is a common and pervasive disease in the dairy industry. Research has shown that inducing transient hypocalcemia prepartum causes a resistance…
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Developing novel and sustainable disease management strategies against Aphanomyces root rot of alfalfa
Alfalfa is the most widely grown forage legume in the United States and is used for hay and silage. Although many cultivars that are grown in Wisconsin are relatively hardy,…
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Replacement and improvement of video recording systems at the Mann Valley Farm Dairy Learning Center, phase 1
Vogel’s project will replace and improve the Network Video Recording (NVR) system at the Dairy Learning Center at UW–River Falls. Phase 1, the most critical, will include a data center,…
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Downdraft table for forage and grain analysis
Sumner-Davis’s project will use a downdraft table that will allow for forage and grain grinding indoors. This will avoid the logistically challenges and undesirability of grinding outdoors during the winter…
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Handheld, portable blood gas machine
Kehoe’s project will use a handheld, portable blood gas machine to measure levels of various gases found in blood. This machine opens up a multitude of research opportunities on calf…
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Cal-Meter for cowside determination of subclinical hypocalciemia in mature dairy cattle
Kelm’s project will determine the accuracy, accessibility, and commercialization ability of Cal-Meter, a cowside meter used to determine calcium levels in cattle blood serum. After calving, serum calcium levels drop…
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Weaned calf structure to support additional calves and increased research capacity
Zwald’s project will build a weaned calf structure to provide housing for calves from 9 weeks t0 5 months transitioning from the individual hutch to the heifer barn. This is…
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Multi-purpose benchtop research space at Mann Valley Farm
Zwald’s project will renovate the Dairy Learning Center storage room into a research lab at Mann Valley Farm. This lab would allow for benchtop experiments and analyses to support dairy…