Dairy Cattle Research » Veterinary Extension » College of Veterinary Medicine

Automation

Automated monitoring of dairy cattle has become a reality to improve the welfare, health, and performance 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.

Reproductive physiology

Dairy cattle have been historically selected for efficient milk production. Recently, selection for fertility trait 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.

Reproductive management

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.

Uterine health

Maintenance of uterine health following parturition is a major contributor for 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.

Youngstock management

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

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.

Updates

Active Grants

Impact of fertility-based selection on key physiological pathways that control reproduction in dairy cattle. (P.I.: Rafael S. Bisinotto, Funding Agency: USDA-NIFA-AFRI, Amount: $500,000)
The origin and progression of the uterine microbiome in cattle. (P.I.: Klibs N. Galvão, Funding Agency: USDA-NIFA-AFRI, Amount: $495,049)
A metabolomic approach to determining factors that modulate host immunity and uterine microbiota (P.I.: Klibs N. Galvão, Funding Agency: USDA-NIFA-AFRI, Amount: $485,000)
Effects of transdermal flunixin meglumine on behavior of lactating cows challenged intra-mammarily with E. coli (P.I.: Ricardo C. Chebel, Funding Agency: Merck Animal Health, Amount: $269,958)
Applying artificial intelligence to reduce antimicrobial use in livestock. (P.I.: Ricardo C. Chebel, Funding Agency: UF Research Opportunity Seed Fund, Amount: $85,000)
Understanding and mitigating the negative impacts of heat stress during early life on well-being, behavior, health, and later life performance of Holstein cattle. (P.I.: Ricardo C. Chebel, Funding Agency: REEport – NIFA, Amount: $54,000)
Development of a reproductive strategy to reduce the use of reproductive hormones in lactating dairy cows. (P.I.: Ricardo C. Chebel, Funding Agency: SE Milk Check-Off, Amount: $35,810)
Genetic antibiogram of major bacterial pathogens associated with metritis in dairy cows. (P.I.: Klibs N. Galvão, Funding Agency: UF FLA-VME- 00131662, Amount: $11,808).

Recent Publications by our Team

Outreach

World Buiatrics Congress, Madrid, Spain (Sep. 4th to 8th)
- Klibs N. Galvão:
  - Management strategies to prevent uterine diseases in dairy cows
  - Therapeutic options for uterine diseases in dairy cows
- Ricardo C. Chebel
  - Review of herd dynamics and key performance indicators
  - Health and reproductive management.- Have we come to the point when we can customize health care and reproductive management
  - SMART FARMING SEMINAR: Case studies. Troubleshooting design of an automated barn and addressing reproductive inefficiency with automated systems