Request Expert

Expert has had a positive impact on mastitis abatement as an independent researcher for more than 30 years. Expert was on the faculty at the University of Hawaii as an Extension Dairy Specialist, Dairy Researcher, and Instructor. Expert’s research efforts have centered on applied science, and thus the contributions he and his collaborators have made have had a direct impact on dairy management. His major focus of research has been mastitis abatement, with particular emphasis on contagious mastitis control, Staphylococcus aureus, and Mycoplasma sp. Expert has led workshops and given talks at scores of locations around the world. He has served as President of the National Mastitis Council and has earned several awards for his research.

Expert consults routinely with veterinarians, dairy producers, dairy technicians, and allied industry personnel on mastitis control. Expert has published as author or co-author more than 100 manuscripts in refereed scientific journals and many articles for producers in the lay press.
Some of Expert's most significant research accomplishments have been the establishment of pre milking teat preparation, identification of strategies to prevent contagious mastitis, and diagnosis of contagious mastitis. Expert is an accomplished instructor of dairy management. Many of his students are currently working in the dairy industry. Moreover, he has coached students to award-winning accomplishments in the National Collegiate Dairy Challenge.

Expert consulted on two large dairies (>5 thousand cows) in central Mexico that experienced an outbreak of mycoplasma mastitis. The history of the outbreak was taken and movement of cattle identified; The nidus of the outbreak was identified. A detailed outline as to how to correct the problem was reviewed with the herd management team. Additionally, recommendations as to how a future outbreak could be avoided were made. Follow-up consultation indicated the outbreak was controlled, abated, and no future outbreaks had occurred. Expert consulted with a bovine veterinary practice concerning the control elements of contagious mastitis and diagnostics of all mastitis agents. Laboratory procedures were reviewed and quality control procedures outlined. New techniques and the storage of samples were discussed. Follow up consult revealed that the laboratory had expanded its diagnostic offerings and had improved its control procedures.

Expert consulted with a 300 cow dairy farm in Oahu, Hawaii. The herd had experienced an outbreak of Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis. A sampling strategy was implemented and treatment and culling procedures recommended. Dairy management followed the procedures discussed and the disease was eliminated from the herd. Expert consulted with a herd of 800 cows in western Washington State experiencing an outbreak of S. aureus mastitis. Control procedures were reviewed and weaknesses identified. It was recommended that the herd management team move away from a test and slaughter process of control and concentrate on identifying the weakest elements in the chain of critical control points. The problem quickly abated and mastitis was put under control. Expert consulted with the owner/operator of a 300 cow dairy in Oahu, HI. The dairy was experiencing a problem with cash flow and meeting debt obligations. Rations for the cattle were reformulated to optimize economic production. The herd management was advised to milk three times per day and alter the feeding strategy to maximize dry matter intake. The reproductive management protocols were reviewed and revised that led to an increase in the pregnancy rate. The herd was very successful in generating additional cash flow.