One of the Jersey Calves in the colostrum feeding study. This little lady was particularly difficult to catch!
Over the course of my first few weeks working with the University of Maryland Extension, I
have had the opportunity to explore a few of the many research projects that my mentors are
involved with. As all three of my mentors – Sarah Potts, Amanda Grev, and Jeff Semler – focus
on animal science most of their research deals with animals, chiefly beef and dairy cattle but also
extending into hay and forage production. So far, there are three main projects I have been
involved with, and one more that is ongoing. First, we are studying the affect of additional
colostrum feedings on the growth and development of heifer calves. Second, comparing the
health of cows in an intensive grazing pasture system with those fed a more traditional ration.
Finally, I am personally developing a method to analyze and compare nutrient levels at different
Washington County farms via the programming language R.
The colostrum experiment is taking place at farm in Boonsboro, with registered Shenandoah
Jersey heifer calves. Sarah and Jeff have selected a small group of around a dozen Jersey calves,
which are split into control and experimental groups. The control group is given two colostrum
feedings on the first day after birth; two feedings is the currently accepted standard. The
experimental group, meanwhile, is fed three times the colostrum, amounting to six feedings over
three days. The calves are then raised together, ensuring experimental conformity in all other
aspects. Though the study will conclude once the calves reach maturity, they can continue to be
monitored throughout their lives thanks to the farms robotic dairy system, which keeps detailed
production records for each cow and heifer in the milking herd. Ultimately, Sarah and Jeff to see
some difference between the two groups. Theoretically, the heifers fed more colostrum might
grow larger, produce more milk, or be healthier overall. Whatever the results, they will be used
to help Maryland farmers manage their own dairy herds to help achieve peak productivity.
The second study I have worked on also involves studying dairy cattle, this time the University’s
own herd at the Central Maryland Research and Extension Center. There Dr. Potts, Dr. Grev, and
Mr. Semler are studying how pregnant cows respond to different grazing regimens. The
experimental group is kept in a “intensive” grazing rotation, being moved from pasture to pasture
once every few days. Pasture composition varies, but incorporates perennial and annual forage
mixes that are common on Maryland farms. The control group is fed a traditionally ration,
consisting mainly of silage and haylage, and is kept in a smaller pasture where they can
supplement their feed by grazing. Once a week we visit CMREC, checking forage composition
in the pastures, weighing cows, and collecting manure samples. Otherwise, the study is relatively
hands off, with staff at CMREC handling pasture rotation and feeding. Again, the aim is to see
some observable difference in health between the experimental and control group and to advise
farmers as to what best practices are for managing dry cows and ensuring successful
pregnancies.
In addition to these two studies with my mentors, I am also working directly with Jeff Semler to
develop a program in R statistics to conduct statistical analysis on nutrient management plan
results from several Maryland farms. All Maryland farms over a certain size are required to
develop and follow a nutrient management plan, which can be an expensive and time-intensive
undertaking. As part of these plans, routine manure samples are taken and analyzed. By looking
at conglomerated data, we hope to observe long-term trends and determine how effective these
nutrient management plans ultimately are. Again, all of this research is designed to benefit
Maryland farms by helping them to remain productive and efficient as farming continues to
progress.
Weighing cows at CMREC for the grazing management study
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