Educational Activities:

•  Dairy Herdsman Shortcourse - The objective of this shortcourse is to present the latest information in dairy herd management in order that the herdsman skills of the participants may be improved.  The course consists of morning classroom instruction and afternoon laboratories over three consecutive days.

•  Dairy Records – Assessment of dairy production records via on-farm computerized record keeping systems.  Assist dairy producers in making sound management decisions.

•  Dairy Days – Educational programs are conducted for dairy producers and allied industry personnel.  These are called the South Valley Dairy Day and Mid-Valley Dairy Day.

 Research Activities:

• Evaluation of dairy feeding systems - Studied the use of direct-fed microbials for lactating cows and dairy calves.  Examined the effect of feeding a pelleted cottonseed product on performance of lactating dairy cows.  Investigated the relationship between bulk tank milk urea nitrogen and DHI production variables in Southern California dairy herds.

•  Pest management - Improving IPM of house flies at commercial dairy operations: Comparison of pest monitoring devices and determination of treatment threshold.

•  Milking management, milk quality and food safety – Investigated the  presence of the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni in bulk tank milk and the environment of Central California dairies.  Surveyed dairy producers on their risk for contacting contagious diseases.