Milk as a monitoring tool
This project aims to investigate opportunities to use milk samples as a monitoring and diagnostic tool in Australian dairy herds.
Milk samples have the potential to be used to monitor, predict and manage risks to dairy cow health, productivity and fertility. For examples, milk samples can provide insights about dietary imbalance, bacterial and viral diseases and parasitic infection.
These insights can be at a herd level (from bulk tank milk samples) or individual level (from herd test samples).
Benefits
Using milk as a monitoring and diagnostic tool has potential benefits at the industry, herd and individual cow level. Ultimately, the diagnostic capability of bulk tank milk could reduce the risk of disease spread within and among herds.
At an industry level this is vital for biosecurity as the detection of pathogens or specific antibodies in milk can be used for monitoring endemic diseases within a farm, region, or country. At an individual level, the early diagnosis and treatment of infections and nutritional disorders improves animal health and welfare.
Progress
Project Update October 2023
Dairy UP’s P2 project aims to unlock the potential of dairy cows to achieve their genetic potential under NSW conditions.
Editorial (January 2024)
Milk as a diagnostic tool
Publication (October 2023)
Milk as diagnostic fluid for udder health management.
Publication (October 2023)
Milk as a diagnostic fluid to monitor viral diseases in dairy cattle.
Publication (October 2023)
Milk as an indicator of dietary imbalance. Published 02 October 2023.
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Project Lead
Dr Ian Lean
Managing Director | Scibus
You can help
If you are interested in this project or think you may want to be involved at some stage, please contact Ian Lean on ianl@scibus.com.au
Project Team:
- Dr Barbara Brito Rodriguez – DPI – barbara.britorodriguez@dpi.nsw.gov.au
- Dr Helen Golder – Scibus – heleng@scibus.com.au
- Dr Mark Hazelton – DPI – mark.hazelton@dpi.nsw.gov.au
For more information contact Dr Ian Lean (ianl@scibus.com.au) or Prof. Yani Garcia (sergio.garcia@sydney.edu.au). This research is funded by the Dairy UP initiative (https://www.dairyup.com.au/) and it is expected to benefit all farmers with kikuyu pastures.