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Title: USDA/Regional Dairy Quality Management Alliance (RDQMA) - 2009 Report

Author
item SCHUKKEN, YNTE - Cornell University
item Van Kessel, Jo Ann
item Karns, Jeffrey
item Cray, Paula
item WOLFGANG, DAVID - Pennsylvania State University
item HOVINGH, ERNEST - Pennsylvania State University
item WHITLOCK, ROBERT - University Of Pennsylvania
item SMITH, JULIE - University Of Vermont
item PRADHAN, ABANI - Cornell University

Submitted to: Technical Report
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/5/2009
Publication Date: 6/10/2009
Citation: Schukken, Y., Van Kessel, J.S., Karns, J.S., Cray, P.J., Wolfgang, D., Hovingh, E., Whitlock, R., Smith, J., Pradhan, A. 2009. USDA/Regional Dairy Quality Management Alliance (RDQMA) - 2009 Report. Technical Report.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Each of three enrolled farms (Farms A, B, and C) receives quarterly farm visits from the project team in their state. At each visit, an online management survey is completed, environmental samples are collected, and blood samples are taken from all lactating cows. Individual fecal samples from lactating cows are taken every six months. Financial data and nutrient management data are gathered annually using the Dairy Farm Business Summary and a Mass Balance system, both Cornell University extension programs. Weekly bulk tank milk samples are analyzed for milk quality as well as for bacterial contamination. Data is stored in an Access Database and biological samples in a secure Biobank that will allow for future research endeavors. Additionally, cull cows are tracked from the farm to the slaughter house; tissues along with data are collected at slaughter and provided to us by our USDA-FSIS collaborators.