$1.4 Million Organic Dairy Grant to Enhance Animal Care Strategies

A recent $1.4 million grant from USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has been awarded to a collaborative initiative of researchers from Colorado State University, University of Minnesota and Kansas State University to come taught to test and develop new treatment strategies for organic dairies and share what is learned with other producers and dairy practitioners throughout the state as well as across the country.

CSU Department of Animal Sciences Assistant professor and co-leader of the grant team Dr. Pablo Pinedo shares more about the research that focuses on science-based approaches for the prevention and treatment of diseases in organic settings.

Pinedo: "We proposed about seven different activities. A big portion of this is based on research on novel research on organic dairy farms. We're study mastitis."

Over the next three years, the study will focus in addition to as mastitis prevention — calf care and fly management. The team will also examine the economic impact of organic animal care.

Although the research is occurring on an organic dairy, he says the research can benefit all of the dairy industry.

Pinedo: "The focus is in organic farming but that can be translated in to any conventional farm. Especially today when everyday we have more pressure of anti-microbials. If we can have a new options that are more natural and are scientifically proven - that is a benefit for the dairy industry in general — not just organic farms."