The foundation of the VMTRC academic plan is a strong research program in population medicine. Much of the research conducted from the VMTRC is applied and involves collaborative efforts with other faculty, both at the VMTRC, Davis and other institutions. Following is a partial list of the research projects conducted from 1983 to 2003:

• Conducted the initial studies on J5 vaccine efficacy
• Performed rBST safety studies
• Investigated the prevalence of intramammary infections in breeding age dairy cattle
• The Dairy Food Safety Laboratory (DFSL) is researching new food safety technology including current projects focusing on Johne's disease, nutrient management, on-farm pasteurization and live J5 E. coli vaccine
• Conducted a pilot study for non-antibiotic therapy for mild clinical mastitis
• Developed educational material on pre-harvest food safety
• Studied the effect of cation-anion diets for dairy cows
• Performed numerous teat dip evaluation studies
• Performed early work on the treatment for "hairy footwarts"
• Established the Milking Technology Laboratory at the VMTRC
• Continues to research Cryptosporidium and water quality issues
• Investigating antibiotic resistant bacteria
• Ongoing research in dairy cattle nutrition
• Evaluating facility designs to maximize cow comfort and production
• Developing new management techniques to produce wholesome dairy products and dairy beef
• Studying animal behavior and communication as tools for animal production, management, well-being and conservation
• Poultry health and on-farm food safety research funded by a Farm to Fork grant