
Randi BlackUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville | UTK · Department of Animal Science
Randi Black
M.S., University of Kentucky, Animal Science
About
29
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Introduction
Randi Black is from Versailles, KY. She is currently working on a Master's in Dairy Systems Management at the University of Kentucky under the guidance of Dr. Jeffrey Bewley. Her research focuses on the compost bedded pack barn system in Kentucky, specifically successful management practices. She is interested in dairy behavior and well-being.
Skills and Expertise
Additional affiliations
Education
August 2010 - May 2013
August 2005 - May 2009
Publications
Publications (29)
In 2019, California accounted for approximately 40% of organic products in the US, and dairy products and milk were the top organic commodity in the state. The objective of this study was to describe organic dairy cattle farmers’ management practices and perceptions of diseases in California. A survey inquiring about farm history and demographics,...
Among animal facilities, compost-bedded pack (CBP) barns have attracted a lot of attention from milk producers and the scientific community. Systematic investigation of the main thermal properties utilizing sawdust in CBP barns is of environmental and economic relevance. In this paper, the aim was to (a) develop predictive equations for the thermal...
Background
This study describes the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in commensal Escherichia coli and Enterococcus/Streptococcus spp. (ES) isolated from fecal samples of dairy cows and assesses the variation of AMR profiles across regions and seasons following the implementation of the Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) Sections 14400–14...
Featured Application: The findings are highly relevant for the roof design in naturally ventilated compost bedded pack barns. Abstract: Compost bedded pack (CBP) barns have been receiving increased attention as an alternative housing system for dairy cattle. To create a satisfactory environment within CBP barns that promotes a good composting proce...
The objective of this study was to assess the effect of exercise and pasture turnout on lying behavior, labor length, and cortisol concentrations around the time of parturition in dairy cows. Twenty-nine primiparous and 31 multiparous, pregnant, nonlactating Holstein (n = 58) and Jersey × Holstein cross (n = 2) dairy cows were assigned to control (...
OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of stacked wedge pads and chains applied to the forefeet of Tennessee Walking Horses on behavioral and biochemical indicators of pain, stress, and inflamation.
ANIMALS 20 Tennessee Walking Horses.
PROCEDURES Horses were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups: keg shoes (control; n = 10) or stacked wedge pads and...
The study objective was to determine the effects of trimming the switch of dairy cows on teat-end bacterial counts and udder hygiene scores. Cows (n = 102) were blocked by days in milk, milk production, and parity and then assigned to (a) treatment (trimming of their tail switch using a commercially available trimmer), or (b) control (unaltered tai...
Lameness is a major welfare concern in the dairy industry, and access to physical activity during the dry period may improve hoof health. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of forced exercise, pasture turnout, or total confinement of dry cows on horn growth and wear and sole thickness. Twenty-nine primiparous and 31 multiparou...
At the udder level, increasing the milk flow rate at which milking is terminated, shortens milking time and increases milking efficiency in automatic milking systems (AMS). It is hypothesized that this can be improved upon by setting the milk flow rate at the udder quarter level, regardless of feed availability. The objective of this study was to i...
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of maternal physical activity during late gestation on calf dry matter intake, weight gain, behavior, and cortisol concentration during disbudding and weaning. Fifty-five Holstein and 5 Jersey × Holstein crossbred calves were enrolled into the study during gestation. Calves were born from preg...
Increasing the milk flow rate at which milking is terminated can shorten milking time and increase milking efficiency. The effects on milk yield and composition have not been fully investigated when the take-off is set at the udder quarter level and independent of feeding during milking. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of...
Effects of bedding with recycled sand and season on lying behaviors, hygiene, and preferences of late-lactation Holstein cows were studied. It was hypothesized that recycled sand will decrease lying time and increase hygiene scores due to increased moisture content and organic matter, and thus a preference for the control sand will be evident. Cows...
Simple
Pasture and freestall systems offer benefits and consequences during lactation but have not been investigated during the dry period. The effect of pasture or confined systems during the dry period on behaviour and milk quality was investigated. Freestall housing resulted in more resting behaviour and less locomotor activity during the dry p...
The study objectives were to determine the effect of short-term increases in stocking density and milking on meal duration, meal frequency, and time between meals and to determine the bioequivalence of different meal criterions in a competitive environment. Forty-eight Holstein dairy cows were allotted to 1 of 4 groups (n = 12 per group). Stocking...
Abstract Text: Increasing stocking density at key resources may have negative effects on the feeding pattern of dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of short-term increases in stocking density on meal duration and frequency of lactating Holstein dairy cattle. Cows (n=136) were allocated to one of four groups (n = 34...
Abstract Text: The objective was to determine changes in behavior and performance of cows housed in freestalls or pasture during a 60-d dry period. Non-lactating Holstein cows were assigned to either deep bedded sand freestalls (n = 14) and grassy pasture (n = 14) at stocking densities below industry recommendations using rolling enrollment. At dry...
Abstract Text:
A compost bedded pack barn is a lactating dairy cow housing system consisting of a large, open resting area, usually bedded with sawdust or dry, fine wood shavings. Bedding material is composted in place, along with manure, when mechanically stirred on a regular basis. Recently, the popularity of compost bedded pack barns has unque...
Abstract Text:
Overcrowding is commonly seen among free-stall dairy operations in order to increase herd size without altering facilities. Overcrowding occurs at stocking densities greater than 100%. Overcrowding at the feedbunk is defined as greater than one cow per headlock or less than 0.6 m of linear feedbunk space per cow. Overcrowding at th...
The objective of this study was to assess the relationships among temperature, moisture, carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, space per cow, and bacterial counts from bedding material collected from compost bedded pack (CBP) barns. A field survey of 42 routinely aerated CBP barns was conducted in Kentucky between October 2010 and March 2011. Two bedding...
The objective of the research was to characterize herd performance, producer satisfaction and recommendations, and management practices used by compost bedded pack (CBP) managers in Kentucky (42 farms and 47 CBP facilities). Farms were visited between October 2010 and March 2011. A random selection of cows housed solely in the CBP were scored for l...
Kentucky dairy producers are adopting compost-bedded pack barns (CBP) as dairy cattle housing at a rapid rate. When properly managed, as an alternative dairy housing system, CBPs may decrease somatic cell count (SCC), increase production, and reduce lameness. Because the system is relatively new, however, many questions remain regarding best manage...
The compost bedded pack barn is a housing system for lactating dairy cows. It consists of a large, open resting area, usually bedded with sawdust or dry, fine wood shavings and manure composted into place and
mechanically stirred on a regular basis. The most critical success factor for managing a compost bedded pack barn is providing a comfortable,...