dairy

PULLMAN – Discussion of the environmental impact of animal agriculture is very different when discussed in terms of productivity instead of individual animals, according to one of the newest members of the WSU Department of Animal Sciences.

Capper

“You can’t just talk about ‘the cow,’” said Jude Capper, assistant professor of animal science. “We have to think about it on an output basis, whether it’s milk, beef, pork or poultry. From 1944 to 2007, the carbon footprint of the cow has doubled, but during that same time period, the carbon footprint per gallon of milk has … » More …

PULLMAN– Whey protein, a by-product of cheese-making, may be one way to help lower the blood pressure of those with hypertension, and at the same time, help dairy producers boost the bottom line, according to a team of researchers at Washington State University.Working with a grant from the Washington Dairy Products Commission, a team of WSU scientists is ready to begin human trials of a whey protein-based beverage that has the potential for lowering blood pressure. Whey protein concentrate is treated with an enzyme to break the proteins into smaller units called bioactive peptides. The beverage will contain higher levels of those peptides than regular … » More …

A Washington State University team is battling Johne ’s (pronounced YO-knees) disease, also known as paratuberculosis, a multibillion-dollar problem in the dairy industry worldwide.Paratuberculosis is a chronic, contagious bowel inflammation that causes persistent and progressive diarrhea, weight loss, debilitation and eventually death. It affects cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, camels, farmed deer and other domestic, exotic and wild animals with multiple stomachs. It has also been recognized in wild rabbits.An estimated 22 percent of all U.S. dairy herds are infected with Johne’s disease, although most other countries have much higher infection rates.  This expanded research effort is being funded as part of a $4.4 million grant … » More …