Webinar on Jan. 15: How Can Risk Models Keep Dairy Cows Healthy?

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruptions to the U.S. and global economies, including labor shortages and food supply chain breakdowns that profoundly affected producers and consumers alike. 

In response, the Western Institute for Food Safety & Security (WIFSS) at University of California, Davis sought to better understand food system vulnerabilities in California and explore how simulation modeling could help anticipate and lessen the impact of future disruptions. 

On Thursday, Jan. 15 (3–4 p.m.), the Southwest Regional Food Business Center will host a webinar on how risk modeling can inform preparedness and strengthen the resilience of our food systems. 

The Jan. 15 webinar is designed for dairy producers and others to learn about new efforts to keep cows healthy, said presenter Bennie Osburn, WIFSS director of Outreach and Training and emeritus dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. 

This proof-of-concept project applied simulation modeling to assess the potential impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 – a virus that devastated the poultry industry and spread to dairy farms. The model focused on production, economic variability, and behavioral factors over time on a small dairy operation to limit the spread of bird flu.