USDA-Hatch,. Predicting quality of alfalfa, grass, and mixed stands grown for hay and silage. Most harvest decisions are made with little information on forage nutritional value, a factor that can greatly affect dairy profitability. The goal of this research was to develop a practical method for predicting forage quality of the first harvest. From two field trials (S. Burlington and E. Montpelier, VT), a relationship of growing degree-days and forage chemical composition was used to develop a predictive model which was then tested on 13 farms throughout Vermont. Results showed this method to be a potential tool for making cutting management decisions of grasses and mixed stands. (S. Bosworth, J. Aleong)
USDA-Other Grant, Northeast SARE. Integration of Forage Fenugreek into the Northeast Cropping System. A movement towards larger dairy farms in the Northeast has led to widespread adoption of monoculture silage corn production. Crops grown in monoculture can have negative impacts on the environment. Our objective is to develop an economically, agronomic and environmentally sound management system for forage fenugreek as a feasible rotation with corn silage in the Northeast. Fenugreek yields were similar to alfalfa but disease problems lowered the forage quality. The introduction of alternative high yield and quality annual forage crop to the Northeast would lead to more extended rotations which are known to produce a number of beneficial rotation responses. (H. Darby, Acharya, S.)
Department of Environmental Conservation, Clean Water Act, Section 319 Grant Funds. Growing by Design: Cropping Systems for Improved Water Quality. Lack of rotation out of corn has led to several potentially detrimental environmental consequences, including rapid erosion of topsoil, and reduced soil health, both of these factors contributing to lowered water quality. The objective is for farm operators to work with UVM Extension to bring about a change in cropping system practices, to ultimately reduce phosphorus pollution. Several farmers have changed cropping systems to include greater diversity of crops. The change in cropping systems will reduce phosphorus runoff and act as a demonstration trial for other farmers. (H. Darby)
USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service. Vermont Pasture Outreach Project. Management-intensive grazing can help reduce costs and environmental impacts on livestock farms. This project of the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture provides technical information and promotes communication among farmers and agency personnel. The Center, UVM Extension, NRCS, NOFA, and the Vermont Grass Farmers Association collaborate to produce a quarterly newsletter, plan on-farm workshops, and organize an annual conference attended by 350 people. A directory of grass-fed products has been developed, and 700 individual consultations are provided annually. This project improves pasture management and enhances the viability of grass-based livestock farming in Vermont. (G. Harris, A. Matthews, C. Huber, V. Grubinger)
USDA-NRI Competitive Grant,. Transgenic approach to prevent mastitis. Mastitis is a relatively common disease of dairy cattle and costs to the U.S. dairy industry are estimated at $2 billion per year. The long-term goal of our research is to generate transgenic dairy cattle with enhanced resistance to microbial infection of the mammary gland. We previously generated transgenic mice that secrete lysostaphin, a potent staphylolytic enzyme, in their milk. These mice have substantial resistance to mammary infection by Staphylococcus aureus. Transgenic cows containing the same transgene have now been produced. Enhanced resistance to infection will enhance animal welfare, and may reduce the need to use antibiotics in dairy production. (D. Kerr, A. Bramley, K. Plaut)
USDA-Hatch, USDA-Hatch,. Interpreting cattle genomic data: Biology, applications, and outreach. Infection of the bovine mammary gland is a continuing problem for the dairy industry and the welfare of dairy animals. This project will determine which genes are induced or repressed in bovine mammary cells in response to infection. We have developed a bovine cell culture system and identified a number of genes that are induced by infection of the cells. Furthermore, the infection response differs when the cells are exposed to different mastitis-causing pathogens. Identification of infection-responsive genes is a major step to understanding mechanisms that contribute to disease resistance. (D. Kerr)
USDA-Animal Health, USDA-Animal Health. Enhanced Mastitis Resistance Through Transgenesis. Infection of the bovine mammary gland is the most costly disease of dairy cattle. We have shown that transgenic animals designed to constantly secrete an antibacterial enzyme (lysostaphin) into their milk are resistant to S. aureus infection. Another gene promoter is being sought that will cause low expression of lysostaphin during normal lactation, but will activate in response to infection. We are now using transgenic mice to evaluate if the regulatory region from lactoferrin will cause the desired expression pattern. The application of transgenic technology to develop mastitis resistant dairy cattle has the potential to greatly reduce the losses caused by this disease. (D. Kerr)
USDA-NRI Competitive Grant, USDA-NRI Competitive Grant, USDA-Competitive Grant. Transgenic Approach to Prevent Bovine Mastitis. Bovine mastitis affects the quality of the milk produced in addition to negatively affecting animal welfare. This project is a continuation of our previous research on the development of transgenic animals that are resistant to mastitis. The focus is to develop new transgenes that will enable mammary cells to produce anti-bacterial enzymes in response to infection. We are evaluating infection-responsive candidate gene regulatory regions that will enable mammary cells to produce lysostaphin, an anti-staphylococcal enzyme. We are also evaluating new bacterially derived enzymes that can kill other mastitis-causing bacteria. There is potential for significant advances in the efficient production of high quality milk and improvements in animal welfare that can be made through the application of transgenic technology to dairy cows. (D. Kerr)
Andrew C. and Margaret R. Sigler Foundation. Technical agricultural engineering assistance for Vermont dairy farmers. University of Vermont Extension does not have an agricultural engineer. There is a need for agricultural engineering expertise. The purpose of this project is to provide agricultural engineering expertise to Vermont dairy farmers. Twenty-five dairy farms in Vermont were visited by Stan Weeks and Colleen Leonard to address agricultural engineering issues. Evaluation results are not in yet. These farms will use this information to increase farm efficiency and profitability. (C. Leonard, J. Porter)
USDA-Hatch,. Enhancing bovine mammary development to improve milk production efficiency. The efficiency of milk production can be improved by enhancing mammary development of dairy cows. The purpose of this project is to identify genes that control mammary development and milk yield. We have identified a number of genes that respond to photoperiod and frequent milking and appear to be involved in mediating the effects of these treatments on mammary development and milk yield. We have also identified two genes, not previously studied in bovine mammary gland, that may play a role in transport of vitamins into colostrum. These genes now become targets for manipulation through management or other treatments. Development of such approaches may lead to improved efficiency of milk production and better calf health, thereby enhancing profitability for dairy farmers. (T. McFadden, D. Martinez, E. Wall)
USDA-Hatch. Appraising the use of technology and production practices on Vermont dairy farms. As UVM Extension enters the 21st century, there is a need to have indepth knowledge on the state's dairy industry for program direction. This study will collect information on dairy farm production practices, technology use, operator demographics, and satisfaction. Vermont's dairy farms average 115 cows producing 17,357 lbs. On the technology side, 47% use DHIA, 39% use computers and 67% use manure storage. Only 11% of the farms reported using bST but these farms produce 37% of the milk. Farmers average age 49 with 54% farming more than 20 years, 45% had education beyond high school, and only 16% had high debt. Farmers were least satisfied with time away from the farm and profit. Milk price and real estate taxes were the greatest future concern. The survey results are used to direct UVM Extension programming needs as well as serve other parties interested in Vermont's dairy farmers. (R. Parsons)
Boston Rheology. Determination of the effects of ovulation on cervical and vaginal mucus viscoelasticity. Estrus determination in dairy cattle is important for efficient reproductive management on a farm. This project examines whether the viscoelasticity of cervical and vaginal mucus as measured by Boston Rheology's instrument can be used to predict ovulation in dairy cows. This instrument could be used for rapid determination of ovulation in dairy cattle. There is a correlation between mucus viscoelasticity and ovulation when mucus was measured with Boston Rheology's instrument. This instrument could be useful to farmers to determine time of breeding in dairy cows. (K. Plaut, K. Coughlan, R. Maple, D. Maynard)
USDA-Cooperative Agreement, UVM Extension. Animal Disease Biosecurity Demonstration and Outreach Program in Vermont. Farmers must protect the health of their livestock from the introduction of new diseases by animal additions, wildlife co-inhabiting the farm, or people who work with animals on more than one farm. This project addressed biosecurity issues for dairy, beef, and small ruminant farms. An 18-minute video was produced to complement the materials previously developed in a notebook, CD, and web site. Farmers and agri-service personnel can use these materials to assess biosecurity programs and make appropriate management changes. (J. Smith)
USDA-Other Grant, UVM Extension. Vermont Initiative on Animal Production and Food Safety Education. One of the areas requiring better management to control or prevent Johne's disease is neonatal calf care, particularly colostrum feeding. This project looked at colostrum quality from the perspective of microbiological quality on nine dairy farms. Colostrum quality was affected by individual animal and herd management factors. Farmers can use the results to assess their colostrum management practices. (J. Smith)
USDA-Hatch,. Management Systems to Improve the Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Dairy Enterprises. Calf management affects the profitability of dairy farms. Feeding strategies which improve the health of calves can improve the bottom line. This project examines the growth and development of calves fed milk replacer with and without supplemental lactoferrin. Analysis of data and samples is underway. New milk replacer formulations may be developed based on this work. (J. Smith)
UVM Extension. Calf Manager Workshop. Good calf management underlies a successful herd replacement program. This workshop helps calf managers improve their knowledge and skills related to calf management. Twenty calf managers from around the state attended the 2004 workshop. Better calf management will improve calf health and performance and improve the bottom line of dairy farms. (J. Smith)
USDA-Hatch,. Interpreting cattle genomic data: Biology, applications, and outreach. A major unifying feature of production and product quality traits of an animal is their complex physiology, which involves intricate coordination of multiple gene expression events in a large variety of tissues at different productive stages. One objective of this multistate project is to determine the location, structure, function, and expression of genes affecting health, reproduction, production, and product quality in cattle. The genes that we are studying at the University of Vermont are glucose transporters which may play a rate-limiting role in milk production. Results indicate that the expression of glucose transporters GLUT1, GLUT8, and SGLT1 increases dramatically during late pregnancy and early lactation. Our results suggest that GLUT1, GLUT8 and SGLT1 may play an important role in supporting milk synthesis in the mammary gland. (F. Zhao)
17 projects