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.

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

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

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.

Perspectives of Western Canadian dairy farmers on the future of farming

Perspectives of Western Canadian dairy farmers on the future of farming

In a recent study we set out to better understand farmers’ perspectives on standards of animal care on Canadian dairy farms, with a focus on the role of policies such as those related to proAction.

Helping cows with reduced estrous expression achieve greater fertility

Helping cows with reduced estrous expression achieve greater fertility

Infertility of lactating dairy cows represents a major challenge for dairy production. In order for proficient outputs, modern dairies using year-round calving are required to have well-functioning reproductive programs that enable sufficient replacement rates, optimal milk yields and a consistent income all year long.

The individual matters: Personality traits in dairy cattle

The individual matters: Personality traits in dairy cattle

In a series of studies, we investigated the expression of different personality traits in dairy calves and their consistency until adulthood, and how these personality traits affect how dairy calves feed, grow, interact with others, and respond to stressful management practices.

The welfare of cull dairy cows from farm to slaughter

The welfare of cull dairy cows from farm to slaughter

In this study we followed cull cows from dairy farms in British Columbia to their final destination in order to understand the kind of journeys they undergo, the delays that can occur, and their condition on arrival at the final destination.

Pedometers on dairy cattle can point to better fertility

Pedometers on dairy cattle can point to better fertility

Monitoring increases in physical activity, using pedometers and accelerometers, reveals a correlation between the intensity of estrous expression and pregnancies per insemination.

Lameness in dry cows: a link to transition disease?

Lameness in dry cows: a link to transition disease?

Cows often become sick in the ‘transition’ period around calving, and many dairy cows are lame, but research to date has not considered how lameness may put cows at risk for transition cow diseases. In recent research at UBC we studied the development of lameness during the dry period, and the association between lameness and […]

Cows are highly motivated to access a brush

Cows are highly motivated to access a brush

Grooming behavior is expressed by many animals, including cows, and helps them maintain a healthy coat and skin. Cows can groom themselves and herd mates by licking. When housed in naturalistic environments, they also use trees or other structures to scratch parts of their body that are otherwise difficult to reach.

Use and perceptions of on-farm emergency slaughter for dairy cows in British Columbia

Use and perceptions of on-farm emergency slaughter for dairy cows in British Columbia

When farm animals become injured, farmers must decide whether to treat, transport, euthanize, or use on-farm emergency slaughter (OFES). OFES is one end-of-life option for animals that cannot be transported humanely but are fit for human consumption.

Public Expectations of a Dairy Farm

Public Expectations of a Dairy Farm

To provide some insight into understanding the public’s views of animal agriculture, we conducted two studies, one asked participants how they would describe the ideal dairy farm and the second where participants were surveyed before and after touring a dairy farm.