We plan to uncover management strategies that can be used to improve calf health and welfare.

Specific research areas include:

• Infectious disease
  • Salmonella Dublin is an emerging disease that affects both cows and calves. Currently, projects are underway to identify factors associated with the transmission of this pathogen both within and between herds.
• Calf health
  • Diarrhea is a common disease affecting calves. We are investigating how diarrhea occurs by evaluating the microbial community of the gastrointestinal tract to further understand pathogens involved in this disease. Several projects are also underway to understand how to better treat this disease to improve therapeutic success.
• Calf welfare
  • Calves are commonly transported from dairy farms to calf rearing facilities. Recently, we have undertaken several research projects aimed at determining how to reduce the impact transportation has on calf health and welfare
• Precision technology
  • There are many technologies that producers work with on a daily basis. We are trying to understand how to use these technologies to better predict, treat, and ultimately prevent disease.