The University of Kentucky’s Coldstream Dairy Research Farm supports the Department of Animal & Food Sciences’ teaching, research and extension activities in dairy science. It is located 8 miles from the University of Kentucky Campus.
 

Animals

The milking herd currently consists of 100 lactating Holstein, Jersey, and crossbred cows. The rolling yearly herd average for milk production is about 23,000 lbs. and 16,000 lbs. for Holsteins and Jerseys, respectively. All of the cows are registered with their respective breed associations and are classified regularly. The current BAA for type for the Holsteins is 104. While we do not show cattle, we select sires based on both production and type characteristics, particularly those that contribute to herd longevity. There are approximately 100 calves and heifers on the farm. Both cows and heifers are bred artificially so no bulls are maintained on the farm. All of the animals on the Coldstream Dairy Research Farm are available for research projects.

Facilities

The Coldstream Dairy Research Farm Complex was originally constructed in the early 1960's. There have been many renovations and facility updates since then. The complex includes:

• freestall barn with 108 stalls for the milking herd
• tie-stall barn with 36 stalls, used primarily for cows on research trials
• small freestall barn with 18 stalls and Calan individual feeders
• milking parlor that holds 8 cows (essentially 2 "double 2" parlors)
• replacement heifers, dry cows, and maternity facilities
• management building including an office, teaching facilities, and laboratory space

Laboratory facilities at the farm are very limited. Most sample analyses are conducted in laboratories in the W.P. Garrigus Building on the UK Campus. The dairy research faculty share three of these laboratories. These are general multipurpose laboratories where a wide range of analytical techniques can be performed including:

• nutrient analysis of feedstuffs
• analysis of blood, urine, and milk samples for metabolites, minerals, and hormones
• bacterial culture and identification
• cell and tissue culture
• histology
• molecular biological techniques (western and northern blotting, RT-PCR)

Personnel

The day-to-day operations of the Coldstream Dairy Research Farm are supervised by the unit manager. The unit manager coordinates all aspects of animal, facilities and personnel management. Four full-time animal technicians work on the farm and are responsible for feeding, maintaining housing facilities and routine herd health activities. Up to eight undergraduate students are also employed on the farm to milk the cows and assist with feeding and other maintenance activities. The manager lives on the farm grounds. Housing is available to full-time and student workers if they want it. Therefore, experienced dairy farm workers can be on-site with short notice in emergency situations.
 

Activities

The Coldstream Dairy Research Farm supports the research activities of the four research faculty members in the Dairy Section of the Animal & Food Sciences Department. Anywhere from three to six research trials are typically underway at any one time. The dairy farm facilities contribute to the teaching mission of the department by giving undergraduate students a chance to observe a functional dairy operation. Students visit the dairy farm as part of three courses. They are given the opportunity for extensive hands-on experience in practical dairy management techniques. The dairy unit is also used by both the UK Dairy Club and UK Block and Bridle Club to support some of their educational activities. The dairy unit also contributes to the extension mission of the Dairy Science Group. The farm has been the site of Dairy Field Day programs and other extension demonstration activities. Many local and visiting groups tour the facilities each year. The dairy unit also hosts the annual Kentucky 4-H Dairy Judging Contest.
 

Contact

Dr. William Silvia  serves as the faculty supervisor of the dairy unit. He would be happy to answer any further questions that you might have about the UK Coldstream Dairy Research Farm.