By Fred M. Hall
Dairy farmers and others who handle dairy calves can learn more about heat stress in dairy cattle during the I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar Feb. 21, from noon to 1 p.m. Central time.
Jimena Laporta, an animal science professor from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, will review research on heat stress in dairy calves.
"Heat stress can be detrimental to the health and development of young dairy calves, and we need to make sure we are doing everything possible to keep calves comfortable and productive," said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Hall said Laporta will discuss ways that dairy producers can mitigate the effects of heat stress on calves before the summer heat arrives.
She holds a Ph.D. in dairy science from UW–Madison (2014) and was a faculty member at the University of Florida for five years. She joined the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at UW-Madison in fall 2020 as an assistant professor in lactation physiology.
Laporta’s research integrates mammary gland physiology with advances in management and nutrition to overcome challenges dairy cattle face across their lifetime, including increased susceptibility to the environment, metabolic disorders and immune suppression.
She incorporates state-of-the-art molecular techniques to investigate how autocrine, systemic and environmental factors affect the regulation of mammary gland development and function, as well as milk synthesis and composition. She also investigates the underlying molecular mechanisms by which prenatal and postnatal stressors contribute to the programming of offspring’s future potential.
By targeting these early life developmental windows, Laporta aims to develop management practices and therapeutic interventions to improve future health and productivity outcomes. Her outreach goal is to generate knowledge that can be translated into practical improvements while training future scientists and educating the community on the importance of the efficient production of sustainable dairy products.
There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour before. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/HEATSTRESS24.
Source : iastate.edu