Research Activities

Photo: VMTRCResearch Activities

Capitalizing on its unique location in a major U.S. dairy production center, VMTRC faculty have created active field-based research programs that complement laboratory-based programs to address dairy interests and needs in nutrition, reproduction, calf health, animal welfare, and food safety.

Since 2004, faculty have been awarded competitive grants from industry sponsors including:

  • American Association of Bovine Practitioners
  • California Dairy Research Foundation
  • California Department of Food and Agriculture
  • Centers of Disease Control (Co-PI with Population Health & Reproduction)
  • Department of Homeland Security (co-PI with Western Institute for Food Safety and Security)
  • National Cattlemen's Beef Association
  • Strategic Environmental Research & Development Program
  • UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • UCD Center for Food Animal Health
  • USDA
  • US Department of Interior
  • USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
  • USDA - Western Integrated Pest Management Center

VMTRC’s research programs fulfill scientific objectives, attract industry by supporting the development and marketing of pharmaceutical and nutritional products, and help faculty develop successful regional and national research collaborations.

The principal instructional focus of the VMTRC is large-scale dairy production medicine in a semiarid climate. The space consists of a classroom, conference room, computer room with access to UCD electronic library resources, student housing, a clinical unit (including ambulatory vehicles), and faculty and administrative offices. Diagnostic and research laboratories are available with capabilities in pathology, microbiology, milk quality and mastitis, clinical pathology, clinical chemistry, molecular biology, and parasitology support teaching and research programs. There are 18 laboratory rooms used by faculty for conducting research and clinical trials on animals, in addition to clinical exam rooms, surgery rooms, and research barns available to multiple investigators when needed for performing clinical animal health research. A newer small auditorium with lecture hall seating is used for teaching, seminars, and demonstrations with video conferencing capabilities for collaborative educational programs, lectures, meetings, and events with central Davis campus and external institutions.