Research - Dairy Physiology and Management

My research interest is dairy management. Improved profitability of the dairy enterprise on dairy farms is my motivation for pursuing the study of management. Profitability on dairy farms is influenced by several factors including the price of milk, productivity, debt per cow, herd size, and cost control. As a dairy scientist my training and expertise are focused on improving productivity or increasing milk sold per cow. My interests are aimed at improving productivity through either greater understanding of the cow’s physiology, through improved health and well being, or evaluating new technology that may have practical implications.

Projects range from having a laboratory component for the study of biological mechanisms or the study may rely on data from field studies. Research dairy herds at the University of Maryland, Central Research and Education Center, Clarksville, and at USDA, Beltsville, may be used, depending on the study and interest of faculty and scientists. Maryland has approximately 735 dairy herds and some of these herds may volunteer for various research projects. Typically, each project involves cooperation with other faculty members. The following three projects are currently under investigation and the first two are part of Ph D dissertations proposals.

• A study of the mechanism of glucose metabolism using modeling and feeding strategies to prevent ketosis in periparturient cows
• The role of recombinant bovine CD14 during endotoxin induced mastitis
• Evaluating a non-antibiotic approach in reducing intramammary infection during the dry period

The following are examples of studies that are under consideration and may be fully developed if funding becomes available.

• Evaluating the economic merit of installing Animat Rubber Flooring in commercial dairy facilities
• Evaluating data loggers for continuous monitoring of body temperature and health of periparturient and postpartum cows

Extension

State Wide Johne's Disease Program

Dr. Peters is giving talks and helping to organize a series of educational meetings on Johne's disease prevention being held across the State of Maryland. The program is entitled: "Targeting Johne's: Stopping Johne's Disease From Robbing Your Profits." Bob has been heavily involved in development of the statewide Johne's program which is jointly sponsored by the Maryland Cooperative Extension, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and USDA-APHIS. The project, includes both educational and testing programs targeted to reduce the incidence of Johne's Disease in the state's dairy and beef herds, is being funded through a grant from USDA-APHIS.

Teaching

• ANSC 420: Critical Thinking in Animal Science

Publications

Representative Publications

• J. Guo, R.A. Kohn, and R.R Peters. 2003. A mechanistic model of glucose metabolism and ketosis development in early lactation cows. 2003. J. Dairy Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1)/J. Anim. Sci. 81 (Suppl. 1)
• E.J. Sohn, M.J. Paape, and R.R. Peters. 2002. Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to recombinant bovine CD 14. J. Dairy Sci. 85: (Suppl. 1)/J. Anim. Sci. 80: (Suppl. 1), p. 248
• Peters, R.R., S. Komaragiri, M. J. Paape, and L.W. Douglass. 2000. Evaluation of 1.6% phenol as a premilking and postmilking teat dip in preventing new bovine intramammary infections. J. Dairy Sci. 83:1750-1757
• Dahl, G.E., T.H. Elsasser, A.V. Capuco, R.A. Erdman and R.R. Peters. 1997. Long day photoperiod that stimulates milk yield also increases circulating insulin-like growth factor-1. J. Dairy Sci. 80:2784-2789