Project: Pre-weaned calf rearing options for organic dairy producers: performance, behavior, and health of dairy heifer calves raised individually, in pairs, in groups, and dam-reared”. Activities: Plan, collect, and analyze data on the health, behavior, and growth of dairy calves raised individually, in pairs, in groups, or with their dams.Plan and survey calf-rearing practices in organic and pasture-based dairy farms in the Midwest of the United States.Teaching assistant in… Show more Project: Pre-weaned calf rearing options for organic dairy producers: performance, behavior, and health of dairy heifer calves raised individually, in pairs, in groups, and dam-reared”. Activities: Plan, collect, and analyze data on the health, behavior, and growth of dairy calves raised individually, in pairs, in groups, or with their dams.Plan and survey calf-rearing practices in organic and pasture-based dairy farms in the Midwest of the United States.Teaching assistant in Gut Microbiome Systems and gut microbiome analyses: fecal sampling, DNA extractions, and data analysis.Organization of outreach events in Dairy Farming & Sustainable Farming. Dairy Science Practical Activities for 4-H and FFA students.Preparation of oral and poster presentations with research findings in academic and professional conferences, field days, and symposiums.Support other grad students from the Department of Animal Sciences in data collection for projects in cow and calf welfare assessment, satellite pasture imagery, agrivoltaics, milk fatty acids content & and genetic diversity, and methane emissions in dairy cattle. Show less

The SAA was created in January 2023 by Bianca Costa and Miguel Suazo to foster discussion and fill curriculum gaps on sustainability and regenerative agriculture in animal production systems at the Department of Animal Sciences, UMN. The study group is part of the UMN ANSC Grad Club and meets every other week during the academic semester and organize field trips during the Summer.

Research Assistant at the projects: "The link between positive animal welfare early in life and enhanced immune competence in dairy cows" (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) and "Welfare implications of prolonged cow-calf contact in dairy farming" (Wageningen University, the Netherlands)Responsible for:- implementation and compliance of best dairy calf care practices- project management, data collection, and analysis- coordination of activities with partner… Show more Research Assistant at the projects: "The link between positive animal welfare early in life and enhanced immune competence in dairy cows" (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) and "Welfare implications of prolonged cow-calf contact in dairy farming" (Wageningen University, the Netherlands)Responsible for:- implementation and compliance of best dairy calf care practices- project management, data collection, and analysis- coordination of activities with partner organizations and stakeholders Show less

Project: “Speed breeding method for peas and wheat varieties”. Activities: Set up of greenhouse cabins with controlled photoperiods and temperatures, soil fertilizer mixing and soil preparation, bedding and seeding, measurements of plant growth, classification of plant growth stage, and plant health assessment. Supervisor: Dr. Jelena Baćanović-Šišić.Project “Impact of silage in egg quality.” Activities: Support during the manufacture of silage bales adapted to smallholder farms… Show more Project: “Speed breeding method for peas and wheat varieties”. Activities: Set up of greenhouse cabins with controlled photoperiods and temperatures, soil fertilizer mixing and soil preparation, bedding and seeding, measurements of plant growth, classification of plant growth stage, and plant health assessment. Supervisor: Dr. Jelena Baćanović-Šišić.Project “Impact of silage in egg quality.” Activities: Support during the manufacture of silage bales adapted to smallholder farms, behavior observation of hens fed with silage. Department of Organic Food Quality and Food Culture. Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Angelika Ploeger.Project “Innovative approaches to optimize genetic diversity for sustainable farming systems of the future” - INSUSFAR. Activities: Germination test, seedling, harvesting, plant measurements, soil preparation, soil quality tests, root, and leaf samples preparation, dying, scanning, dry weights. Department of Ecological Plant Protection. Supervisor: Dr. Maria R. Finckh. Project Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR) in Brazil. Activities: Analysis of Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR) content available online on the websites of Brazilian companies in the food and energy sector. Management of the International Food Industry Department. Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Christian Herzig. Show less

Research activities related to animal welfare, organic farming and alternative treatments in the subprogramme of Animal Welfare at Recerca I Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA).

Responsibilities:Support in the creation and implementation of best calf care practices at FCAV-UNESP JABOTICABAL.Responsible for developing technical training for farm attendants responsible for dairy calf care FCAV-UNESP JABOTICABAL. Help in behavior data collection using GIS. Data entry for several projects.Support in planning and organizing the II Cycle of Lectures: Ethology applied to dogs and cats. Training and technical visits during the internship: Technical… Show more Responsibilities:Support in the creation and implementation of best calf care practices at FCAV-UNESP JABOTICABAL.Responsible for developing technical training for farm attendants responsible for dairy calf care FCAV-UNESP JABOTICABAL. Help in behavior data collection using GIS. Data entry for several projects.Support in planning and organizing the II Cycle of Lectures: Ethology applied to dogs and cats. Training and technical visits during the internship: Technical visits to organic dairy buffalo farm, neurology research center, equine positive handling training, and Welfare Quality Training (Dairy cattle). Show less

Support data collection in the project "Use of Meloxicam to treat pain and inflammation associated with metritis: effects on behavior, and feed Intake" in Holstein cows. Activities: Blood samples, body temperature measurement, metritis diagnosis, and video behavior observation and analysis. Farm routine: veterinary care, neonatal calf care, general animal handling, and milking.Atividades relacionadas a coleta e processamento de amostras de sangue, aferição de temperatura… Show more Support data collection in the project "Use of Meloxicam to treat pain and inflammation associated with metritis: effects on behavior, and feed Intake" in Holstein cows. Activities: Blood samples, body temperature measurement, metritis diagnosis, and video behavior observation and analysis. Farm routine: veterinary care, neonatal calf care, general animal handling, and milking.Atividades relacionadas a coleta e processamento de amostras de sangue, aferição de temperatura, diagnóstico de metrite e análise de comportamento através de vídeos para a pesquisa "Use of Meloxicam to treat pain and inflammation associated with metritis: Effects on behavior, and feed Intake" com vacas holandesas.Atividades relacionadas a rotina de fazenda: cuidados veterinários, cuidados ao neonato, manejo dos animais e ordenha. Show less

Delivery of theoretical and practical training at the Training Course for Animal Control Officers (FOCA Course) in:- Welfare of Farming Animals- Principles of Cattle Handling