CROP RESEARCH PROJECTS
Project Title
Info
Antimicrobial Resistance-One Health Consortium
Lakeland College is collaborating with other Alberta higher institutions via a multidisciplinary strategy that will translate to optimized antimicrobial use (AMU) and eradicated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans and livestock. Lakeland is supporting the One Health Consortium with our beef and dairy cattle resources towards reducing bioburden and optimizing antimicrobial stewardship in the livestock industry.
Evaluating Sire-Progeny Links, Breeding Plans and Information Management in Multi-Sire Breeding Scenarios on Commercial Herds
This project aims to arm producers with practical information and evaluation methods and demonstrates the use of the generic tool Q-link parentage testing that they can implement in their herd and business management.
Evaluation of energy-use and water-use efficiency under the robot and parlour dairy systems
The Dairy Learning Centre provides opportunities to explore the economic value of automation and energy efficiencies in intensive livestock operations and is currently serving as one of 11 host dairies for AB Milk’s Micro- Combined Heat and Power Technology research project. The current proposal will build upon an earlier feasibility study completed by Alberta Milk exploring the design of a net zero energy footprint and efficient water use in a dairy facility in Alberta as well as sensor technologies and other unique monitoring infrastructure already installed within the Dairy Learning Centre.
Feeding garlic powder to cattle: Effects on mineral intake, fly repellence and cattle performance
The project will evaluate two levels (2.5% and 5%) of garlic powder, 1% garlic oil and No-Garlic product (control) to examine whether seasonal feeding of garlic products to young cattle increased weight gain and had a significant impact on their feed efficiency status measured as Feed Conversion Ratio and RFI. Health performance of the groups receiving different treatments will be assessed with
Project Lead
Collaborators
Funders
Timeline
Herman Barkema, U of C
University of Calgary, University of Alberta, University of Lethbridge, Athabasca University, Olds College, SAIT, Mount Royal University
Major Innovation Fund
2019 - 2026
Lakeland
West Central Forage Association; Peace Country Beef & Forage Association; TrustBIX; Quantum Gentix; Mayerthorpe Veterinary Services; Olds College; Alberta Agriculture and Forestry; Yellowhead County; Brazeau County; Lac Ste. Anne County
Canadian Agricultural Partnership
February 1, 2019 – February 1, 2022
Lakeland
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Alberta Innovates
Apr 1, 2020 – Mar 31, 2021
Lakeland
Highland Feeders, Masterfeeds, Prairie Micro Tech; Anchor Lazy U Cattle Co Ltd.
Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture; Canadian Agricultural Partnership; NSERC
Apr 1, 2019 – Mar 31, 2021
CROP RESEARCH PROJECTS
treatment records (e.g. incidents of treatment for pink eye).
On-Farm Validation of a Novel Milk Fever Test System
Validation of imaging technology for assessing priority traits in Canadian Angus
A previous project at the UofC successfully and reliably measured Ca concentrations in milk samples. This project will validate a new on-farm version of this test on fresh samples. The different components of this integrated but convenient technology will be individually optimized and assembled. This will be an iterative process whereby the feedback received from users (instructors, students, veterinarians, producers) will be used to make modifications to separate components. This detailed feedback, based on a carefully designed rubric, will be acquired by a member of the research team and relayed to the rest of team. This project will use Lakeland’s SMF purebred Angus cow herd as well as Angus cows from producercooperators. Each animal will be scored for body condition and measured by ultrasound for back fat by an expert assessor. The Mobile Beef Measurement Unit (MBMU) chute side technology is a multiple camera system mounted on a bracket that is retrofitted into a livestock chute. The MBMU cameras will be used to scan each animal after body condition scoring and ultrasound scanning. The results from the unit will be compared to that of the assessor while the relationships to other economic traits will be calculated. Following scan results, the cameras can be readjusted to positions that optimize image quality and scan results.
Lakeland
University of Calgary, Creative Proteins Solutions Inc.
Alberta Innovates
Apr 1, 2020 – Mar 31, 2021
Lakeland
Canadian Angus Association, University of Calgary
Alberta Innovates
Apr 1, 2020 – Mar 31, 2021