Engineering Solutions for Veterinary Medicine

Jonathan Chaplin, Associate Professor
Russell Bey, Professor, Veterinary Biosciences
Ralph Farnsworth, Professor, Veterinary Population Medicine
John Fetrow, Professor, Veterinary Population Medicine

Objectives

Projects are evolving in three areas. These are the development of a machine for removal of spinal tissue in the beef slaughtering process and the development, design and evaluation of a hand-held device for pre-milking teat preparation which will ensure consistent teat cleanliness prior to milking, and a cow activity monitor. The dairy related devices will ensure a high quality milk product and better cow management by reducing the incidence of environmental mastitis. Dairies will need fewer antibiotics in the treatment of cows, and reduce animal suffering.

Need or Impact

The need for removal of spinal tissue in the beef production system has been mandated by the USDA. Mastitis costs the average dairy farmer between $150-$300 per cow per year, making it the most important economic disease of dairy cattle. In Minnesota, assuming approximately 465,000 cows, conservative losses are estimated to be $75,000,000 annually.

Project Status

In progress.