Social Responsibility
The U.S. dairy supply chain operates in a highly regulated environment which covers both locally produced goods as well as imported products. The food safety and security framework is in place to ensure that consumers are protected from harmful products entering the supply chain. Beyond environmental stewardship, production areas of animal care, labor welfare and antibiotic use are key areas of interest. There is a growing need for higher level documentation and continuous improvement in these areas to bolster awareness of industry implementation of best practices and maintain confidence.
California dairy producers are known for being proactive and leading the country in their efforts to continue to provide safe and nutritious foods to the local and world-wide markets. As such, CDRF funds projects that address the important risk management issues of animal care (best practices and disease management), food safety (e.g. managing product residues) and biosecurity (prevention and preparation for a biosecurity event). The emphasis within this focus area is outreach to ensure on-farm risk awareness and adoption of best practices. CDRF continues to work through CDQAP and other appropriate projects to provide local support for programs such as the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program.
See below for current project details.
Antibiotic use at Cessation of Milking on Milk Quality
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether antibiotic use at dry-off negatively impacts mammary immune function and microbiome composition in cows with low somatic cell counts. The researchers also aim to identify potentially beneficial bacteria that might be used as future alternatives to antibiotics.
Protection, Restoration, and Enhancement of Tricolored Blackbird Habitat on Agricultural Lands
OBJECTIVE: To support research that will explore ways to draw tricolored blackbirds to non-dairy habitats or otherwise minimize financial losses to dairy farms.
Economic Opportunities and Risks Associated with Implementing Automatic Milking Technologies in Large Dairies in California
OBJECTIVE: To support research that will explore ways to draw tricolored blackbirds to non-dairy habitats or otherwise minimize financial losses to dairy farms.
Impacts of Milk Microbiota Composition on Whey Quality in California
OBJECTIVE: To identify sources of microbial contaminants in whey powder in order to determine whether milk is the main source of microbial contaminants in whey powder produced in California. Determine microbial genotypes consistent with increased survival in whey powder to identify control points that may be used to minimize microbial survival and contamination of whey.
Precision and Accuracy of Cow Side Tests for Quarter SCC
OBJECTIVE: To determine which cow-side tests are better predictors of individual quarter SCC for reduced treatment of non-infected quarters, reduce antibiotic use, and decrease costs associated with mammary treatments at cessation of milking.
Optimized Controls for Cooling California Dairy Cows
OBJECTIVE:To save electricity and water though the development of a novel control algorithm for the fans and sprayers used for cow cooling on commercial California dairies.