The Integrated Livestock Management program at Colorado State University was established in 1996 to focus on animal health and production challenges in the livestock industries. We engage directly with producers to conduct field-based research using a graduate studies model that develops highly skilled professionals of the future. We develop problem-solving information and education for producers and veterinarians.
This website provides access to research results from studies of numerous cattle health challenges, including dairy cow mastitis, dairy mortality, dystocia, Johne’s disease, high mountain disease (bovine pulmonary hypertension), cattle sulfate toxicity, and malignant catarrhal fever. Refer to the research projects below or find them all in our reserch page. The site also provides producer friendly tools and educational programs we have developed to help manage some of these frequently occurring problems in cattle production systems.
In 2020 CSU began developing the AgNext program, a university-based initiative with the mission of identifying and scaling innovation that fosters the health of animals and ecosystems to promote profitable industries that support vibrant communities. Integrated Livestock Management is one part of AgNext, contributing animal health research, education, and innovation as important components of thriving, sustainable animal agriculture systems.
research project
Characterization of Naturally Occurring Coliform Mastitis
Mastitis remains the most common infectious disease of dairy cattle and the most costly disease affecting the dairy industry.
All dairy cows eventually leave the farm. Ideally, they leave as healthy animals, either being sold for production or sold for slaughter when they are no longer productive.
We are currently collaborating on a multi-year to study being conducted by 18 states across the country and coordinated by collaborators at NAHMS. There are approximately 60 dairy and 15 beef operations enrolled.
Conceptual modeling of postmortem evaluation findings to describe dairy cow deaths.
McConnel, C. S., Garry, F. B., Hill, A. E., Lombard, J. E., & Gould, D. H. (2010). Journal of dairy science, 93(1), 373–386. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2296
Herd factors associated with dairy cow mortality.
McConnel, C., Lombard, J., Wagner, B., Kopral, C., & Garry, F. (2015). Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience, 9(8), 1397–1403. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731115000385
Conceptual modeling of postmortem evaluation findings to describe dairy cow deaths.
McConnel, C. S., Garry, F. B., Hill, A. E., Lombard, J. E., & Gould, D. H. (2010). Journal of dairy science, 93(1), 373–386. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2296
A necropsy-based descriptive study of dairy cow deaths on a Colorado dairy.
McConnel, C. S., Garry, F. B., Lombard, J. E., Kidd, J. A., Hill, A. E., & Gould, D. H. (2009). Journal of dairy science, 92(5), 1954–1962. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-1505