Research Reports

Research Reports are designed to report applied aspects of research from the UBC’s Dairy Education and Research Centre recently published in refereed international scientific journals. Reports are two pages in length and are published three to five times per year.

If you would like to receive Research Reports as they are released, sign up for the mailing list here.

Technology in the dairy industry: Historical and future perspectives

February 21, 2024

Technology is everywhere on modern dairy farms.

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Social housing improves dairy calves’ performance in a competition test

October 3, 2023

Social housing improves dairy calves’ performance in a competition test

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Improving lameness detection on dairy farms: developing a cyborg assessor

August 18, 2023

Improving lameness detection on dairy farms: developing a cyborg assessor

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Progesterone and intensity of estrus are associated with fertility of dairy heifers.

May 12, 2023

Progesterone and intensity of estrus are associated with fertility of dairy heifers.

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Pasture access helps lame cows recover

September 22, 2022

Lameness is a painful but common condition in dairy cows, characterized by abnormal gait. Various surveys have estimated lameness prevalence on farms in North America to be above 25%, posing both an animal welfare and economic concern for the dairy industry.

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What does success look like in calf rearing? Perspectives of dairy farmers

July 12, 2022

Calf rearing practices vary greatly across farms, including feeding and weaning methods. This variation occurs despite research-based evidence showing the benefits associated with feeding calves higher milk allowances and weaning gradually. Survey-based studies can tell us ‘what’ calf feeding and management practices are occurring on farm, but to better understand ‘why’ farmers do what they […]

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How Dairy Science Students View the Future of Cow Care

March 4, 2022

Public expectations of agriculture are sometimes in conflict with common management practices on farms, threatening social license and the long-term social and economic sustainability of the industry. Today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders, so these individuals will likely have a key role to play in bridging any disconnect between industry practices and public values.

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Dairy calves are motivated to be with another calf

January 14, 2022

Dairy calves are often reared individually early in their life, contrary to natural conditions, where calves have access to a richer social environment. A large body of research suggests that housing dairy calves in pairs or groups early in life is important for the development of their social and cognitive skills.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Research Reports

Technology in the dairy industry: Historical and future perspectives

Social housing improves dairy calves’ performance in a competition test

Improving lameness detection on dairy farms: developing a cyborg assessor

Progesterone and intensity of estrus are associated with fertility of dairy heifers.

Pasture access helps lame cows recover

What does success look like in calf rearing? Perspectives of dairy farmers

How Dairy Science Students View the Future of Cow Care

Dairy calves are motivated to be with another calf

Brushes for dairy heifers

Dairy cattle welfare in tie stalls vs. less restrictive housing

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Stock Images for Media Use

Animal Welfare Research at UBC Dairy Centre

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