2021

Flooding Response – Dairy Education and Research Centre (DERC)

November 18, 2021

The Lower Mainland was hit by a devastating flooding earlier this week that has caused immense loss in our community. British Columbia has declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, and working on the more pressing points such as search and rescue, assessment of roads and railway, and water level control. As the water recedes, […]

Posted in 2021, News and Events | Tagged with

Brushes for dairy heifers

November 3, 2021

Brushes, both automated and fixed, are becoming common on dairy farms, providing cows the opportunity to express natural grooming behaviours.

Posted in 2021, Research Reports | Tagged with

Dairy cattle welfare in tie stalls vs. less restrictive housing

September 8, 2021

Cows kept in ‘tie stalls’ are tethered in individual stalls. This is the most prominent form of housing for Canadian dairy cattle (74% of farms in Canada use tie stalls), especially in Quebec and Ontario.

Posted in 2021, Research Reports | Tagged with

A free stall reimagined

July 5, 2021

Open space is an important feature of a lying environment to dairy cattle, as this allows them to more easily lie down and stand up, and to adopt different lying postures. However, more open lying areas make it more difficult to control where cows defecate and urinate.

Posted in 2021, Research Reports | Tagged with

Largest robotic milking research facility in North America to open at UBC Dairy Centre featuring GEA robots

June 24, 2021

Fully robotic milking farm will advance dairy research, attract students and educate public. The following is a news release from GEA, released on June 23, 2021. Naperville, Ill. [June 23, 2021] – The University of British Columbia (UBC) Dairy Education and Research Centre will become the largest robotic milking research facility in North America with […]

Posted in 2021, News and Events | Tagged with

Improvements in lameness detection

May 9, 2021

Lameness is one of the greatest challenges facing the dairy industry – approximately 25% of the dairy cows in Canada are lame. It is important that new cases of lameness are promptly identified, as treatment of chronically lame animals is often unsuccessful.

Posted in 2021, Research Reports | Tagged with

When to assist calving and how it impacts metritis

March 5, 2021

Around the time of calving (birthing), dairy cows are susceptible to calving difficulties and illness such as uterine infections. About 75% of diseases in dairy cows typically occur within the first three weeks postpartum.

Posted in 2021, Research Reports | Tagged with

Dr. Marina (Nina) von Keyserlingk named new Director of the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare (NFAHW) Council Board

January 6, 2021

She is recognized as a leader in Animal Welfare, and will take over from outgoing Director, Dr. David Fraser.

Posted in 2021, News and Events, Slideshow | Tagged with

Painful memories: Using the memory of disbudding to identify less painful methods

January 6, 2021

In a series of recent studies at the University of British Columbia’s Dairy Education and Research Centre (Agassiz, BC), we assessed the impact of this ‘post-operative’ pain by measuring the calves’ memory of this experience.

Posted in 2021, Research Reports | Tagged with

Travel Directions

From Vancouver:

Travel east on Highway #1 (Trans Canada Highway)
Take Exit #135 (Highway #9) to Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs.
Follow Highway #9 across the Fraser River through Agassiz towards Harrison Hot Springs.
After crossing the CPR tracks on the north side of Agassiz, turn left onto Highway #7.
The Centre is on the immediate right. The Dairy Centre’s buildings and parking are located in the north-west corner of the building site.

All visitors must report to the manager’s office (located in the prominent white building with blue trim and cathedral windows) before entering UBC buildings.

2021

Flooding Response – Dairy Education and Research Centre (DERC)

Brushes for dairy heifers

Dairy cattle welfare in tie stalls vs. less restrictive housing

A free stall reimagined

Largest robotic milking research facility in North America to open at UBC Dairy Centre featuring GEA robots

Improvements in lameness detection

When to assist calving and how it impacts metritis

Dr. Marina (Nina) von Keyserlingk named new Director of the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare (NFAHW) Council Board

Painful memories: Using the memory of disbudding to identify less painful methods

Media Contacts

Stock Images for Media Use

Animal Welfare Research at UBC Dairy Centre

Undergraduate Students

Graduate Students

Research Reports

Support UBC

Contact Us — Directions

Travel Directions

All visitors must report to the manager’s office (located in the prominent white building with blue trim and cathedral windows) before entering UBC buildings.

Recent News

Recent Publications