Research Activities

• Manure handling and treatment – Evaluation of manure solids separation devices, assessment of the effects of dairy liquid manure aeration on air quality and nutrient cycling.
   

• Dairy farm electrical energy conservation – California dairy farm energy management: characterization of energy used on dairies for milking processes, milk cooling, water heating, lighting, and manure handling and treatment.  Evaluation of new technologies for conserving energy on dairy farms.
   

• Milking management, milk quality and food safety –Assessment of diagnostic tools for milk quality evaluation of bulk tank goat milk and for sub-clinical mastitis detection in goats,  Investigations of the presence of the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni in bulk tank milk and the environment of Central California dairies.
   

• Forage management and quality - Estimating the energy value of cereal forages, stage of harvest impacts on nutritional value, corn silage and winter forage variety trials, investigations of corn leafhopper biology and impact on corn stunt disease, Tricolored Blackbird management for dairy and forage producers.
   

• Animal health and well being – Impacts of extreme weather events on dairy cattle in California.

 Educational Activities

• UC Cooperative Extension Dairy Herdsman Short Course
• South Valley and Mid-Valley Dairy Days
• Dairy Energy Management Seminars
• California Dairy Farm Energy Guidebook