DAIRY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND THE TRANSMISSION OF ZOONOTIC PATHOGENS IN MILK

To evaluate the presence and distribution of selected bacterial and viral pathogens on the dairy farm and in bulk milk. To further identify the critical microbial ecological relationships on dairy farms that affect maintenance of pathogens in the dairy environment and then to evaluate management practices that affect the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens in the milk supply with emphasis on the contributions of dairy cattle waste. To provide strategies and decision aid tools for dairy producers that minimize or eliminate zoonotic dairy waste pathogens that may enter the environment and milk supply.