Ruminant
Nutrition
Ruminant animals have always
had a unique place in animal agriculture because
of their ability to efficiently digest fibrous
plant materials. Studies in ruminant nutrition
range from cellular limitations in nutrient
assimilation to forage use by grazing animals,
namely cattle and sheep. Specific areas
of research include:
- regulation and limitations
of nutrient absorption and digestion.
- optimizing forage availability
and utilization, particularly fescue.
- evaluation of nutrient
requirements and management of the dairy
cow.
- study of protein, vitamin,
and mineral nutrition.
- incorporation of alternative
feeds into ruminant diets.
Specialties
within Ruminant Nutrition
Equine
Nutrition
Horses are an important part
of the agricultural economy in Kentucky as
well as the rest of the nation, and the University
of Kentucky has long been a premier institution
for equine research. Outstanding research
facilities include a large horse herd, ample
individual housing, analytical laboratory,
round pen and treadmill. Research with
the horse focuses on nutrition with projects
including:
-
hormonal
and metabolic responses to different types
of exercise.
-
nutrient
requirements during growth, reproduction,
and exercise.
- dietary management procedures
that improve digestion, growth and performance.
Specialties within Equine
Nutrition
Non-Ruminant
Nutrition
Research in non-ruminant
nutrition involves studies with swine and poultry. Discoveries
from both basic and applied research are integrated
into feeding programs to maximize the rate
and efficiency of meat and egg production and
to optimize reproductive performance. Research
projects currently include:
- evaluation of nutrient
requirements.
- bioavailablity of nutrients.
- interrelations of nutrients
with genetics and environmental factors.
- efficacy of growth and
carcass modifiers.
- nutritional properties
of feed ingredients.
Specialties
within Non-ruminant Nutrition
Physiology research includes
both the fields of reproductive and lactational
physiology. The reproductive physiology
group includes research and extension faculty
who conduct both basic and applied research
with beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine and sheep. Research
ranges from field trials with cooperating commercial
herds to in vitro studies at the cellular and
molecular levels. The focus of the lactational
physiology program is on prevention and control
of mastitis and on bovine immunity. Primary
areas of research interest include:
- regulation of puberty
onset.
- endocrine control of uterine
function.
- enhancement of sperm fertility.
- nutritional and environmental
factors influencing disease resistance in
cattle.
- applied studies on mastitis
prevention and control.
Specialties within Physiology
Research is oriented primarily
towards evaluation of various beef cattle genetic
types when managed on endophytic‑tall
fescue.
Specialties
within Genetics and Animal Breeding
The Food
Science program integrates
a strong basic research program with
applied research in areas related to
foods derived from animals and other
important agricultural products. Food
Science research is essential to the
efficient utilization of valuable agricultural
products and adding value to low‑quality
raw materials. The number
of jobs in the field of food science
has historically exceeded the number
of Food Science graduates.
Specialties
within Food Science
Microorganisms
play key roles in many agricultural and animal
production systems. An understanding
of microbial physiology and of the symbiotic
relationships between microorganisms and domestic
animals is critical to developing efficient
management practices. The microbiology
program emphasizes the use of
molecular and biochemical tools for studying
and manipulating beneficial microbial activities
in agricultural and animal production systems. Areas
of study include:
