Effect of Wildfire Smoke on Dairy Cattle

Jul 18, 2023

Wildfires have become more prominent over the past few years. Wildfire smoke contains toxic particulate matter that can cause serious health consequences for dairy cattle impacted by wildfire smoke.

A study completed by Anderson et al. (2022), Effects of wildfire smoke exposure on innate immunity, metabolism, and milk production in lactating dairy cows (sciencedirectassets.com), examined the impact of wildfire smoke on the physiological response of dairy cattle with regards to milk production and overall health. The objective of this article is to describe the physiological impact that occurs to dairy cattle as a result of wildfire smoke.

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Video: Assessing Welfare Resources During Late Finish - Dr. Anna Johnson & Emma Coursey

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Anna Johnson from Iowa State University and Emma Coursey from the University of Illinois discuss research evaluating welfare resources during the late finishing stage on commercial swine farms. They explain how feeder management, water use, space allocation, and pig health influence welfare outcomes and practical on-farm management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Small resource issues can become larger welfare problems when multiple stressors interact across finishing barns."

Meet the guests: Dr. Anna Johnson / anna-johnson-05028a14 is the Morrill Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Iowa State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Texas Tech University and completed her master's degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on practical solutions that improve farm animal welfare, including sow productive lifetime, animal-human interaction, environmental enrichment, and Precision Livestock Farming.

Emma Coursey / emma-coursey-183810241 is pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine after earning a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. Her academic interests include swine health, production, and animal welfare, with research experience evaluating welfare resources in commercial finishing pigs.