Miner Institute has been guided by Mr. Miner’s vision in our research activities, as well as in our educational offerings. The primary objectives of the research program continue to be: relevance and cutting-edge, direct applicability. Although the research conducted at Miner Institute is wide in scope, these major objectives have been followed. Whether in the area of corn hybrid digestibility, stallion semen freezability, calf growth, transition cow performance, or manure management, all research conducted at Miner Institute is relevant and directly applicable to today’s agriculture. Miner Institute’s expertise in the area of the crop-animal interface, along with our strong base built on communication between agronomist and nutritionist, allows us to better serve dairy farmers. The crop-animal interface is also seen as the key to the sustainability of the dairy industry due to its impact on environmental concerns about excess nitrogen and phosphorus produced on farms.
The Miner Institute Laboratory Complex plays an integral role in supporting and directing the research activities. The forage laboratory is active in improving the understanding of forage quality and the means of producing quality forages in the Northeast to benefit dairy animal health and production. The environmental laboratory focuses on evaluating the environmental impact of dairy management practices. These activities include maintaining, monitoring, and modeling various ecological systems through the use of Miner Institute’s silage effluent leachate collection systems and the installation of water-control structures to monitor nutrient movement in tile drained fields. Through collaboration between the forage and environmental laboratories, research is being conducted that will enhance stewardship practices.
Dairy Research
One focus of the dairy research activities has been in the area of dairy cattle nutrition, with an emphasis on the transition cow. Animal behavior and cow comfort are other focal points of research. The development of a network of collaborative commercial dairy farms has enabled Miner Institute to create a unique niche in the world of dairy nutrition research. Controlled research can be conducted on these large dairies (350-1,000 milking cows). Intensive studies that require individual intakes, cannulated cows, or multiple treatments are conducted in our 16-cow tie stall barn or in our freestall barn using Calan bins or replicated pens.
Crops Research
Research is conducted to improve forage quality through:
- Hybrid selection
- Modified storage techniques
- Timing of harvest
Recycling nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus reduces the need to apply fertilizer. Research is conducted to evaluate techniques that optimize nutrient integration and retention in soils. This maximizes yields and protects our natural resources.
Equine Research
The majority of the equine research conducted at Miner has to do with equine nutrition and reproduction. Studies are being conducted with Miner Institute's Morgan horses to explore varying levels of carbohydrates in diets and the impact on horse health. Reproductive research has focused on improving techniques for preserving stallion semen and developing technologies for in-vitro fertilization.
Demonstration Farm
The operation of a demonstration farm, which serves as both a "storyteller" and research facility, is important to Miner Institute. The storyteller farm allows Miner Institute to relate to farmers as we discuss our trials and tribulations in our monthly publication, the Farm Report. A level of respect has been obtained within the agricultural community through the quality of forages being produced on the farm and the level of animal productivity here. Therefore, Miner Institute only conducts animal trials that will not compromise the productivity of the herd. This has allowed Miner Institute to remain relevant in agriculture and continue the demonstration farm first established by Mr. Miner in 1903.
Miner Institute staff actively publish articles in refereed journals, including Animal Feed Science and Technology, Journal of Dairy Science, and Journal of Animal Science. In addition, staff present research findings annually at national meetings including: the American Dairy Science Association, American Society of Animal Science, International Society for Applied Ethology, Plants and Soils Conference, Geological Society of America, American Crop Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, and Soil Science Society of America. |
Most equine research conducted at Miner Institute
is related to reproduction or nutrition.
A ruminally cannulated cow rests in the dry cow barn.
These animals are used to evaluate the effect diet
may have on rumen health. Rumen samples can be
taken without creating any discomfort for the cow.
Cows rest in the research tie stall facility. The
area has mattressed stalls with sawdust bedding,
large capacity individual water bowls, and an
all-you-can -eat diet.
State-of-the-art blood testing machine.
Silage inoculant treatment is applied for a study
conducted in our 1,000-pound capacity midi-silos.
Claire Gebben draws blood for an equine nutrition trial.
Jeff mixes some samples to test.
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