Description :  Recognizing that colleges and universities must provide leadership for integrating technology and economic viability with education and research, Board of Regents Support Funds were requested to secure equipment that incorporated new technology into the Louisiana Tech University Dairy Production Unit. The project significantly enhanced undergraduate education and research opportunities by integrating a computer-driven information system (electronic animal identification, computer software, and hardware) with a system of side-opening milking parlor stalls, milk pipeline, and feed and wash systems. The information system is a powerful decision-making tool, allowing data collection and analysis on individual animals, as well as the entire dairy herd. Animal nutrition, milking routines, maintenance schedules, animal traffic flow, treatment of mastitis and other medical conditions, and labor efficiency have been significantly improved utilizing the newly-installed technology and information systems. Pedagogical benefits of the project include providing the student with an experiential and technological state-of-the-art learning experience that will assist in the transition from an academic to a business environment.

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Principal Investigator:  Kennedy, Gary  --  Agricultural Sciences

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Collaborators:  

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Funding Agencies:  Board of Regents

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Amount Awarded:  $90,463

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Start Period:  06/01/2004

End Period:  06/30/2005