Nigel Cook, BSc, BVSc, Cert CHP, DBR

nigel.cook@wisc.edu

Department of Medical Sciences
Office: 2034
Website

Nigel Cook, BSc, BVSc, Cert CHP, DBR

Titles and Education

  1. Diplomate, 2007
    European College of Bovine Health Management
  2. Diploma in Bovine Reproduction (with Distinction), 1998
    University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
  3. Certificate in Cattle Health & Production, 1995
    Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London, UK
  4. Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) with Honors, 1992
    University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Science, England.
  5. Bachelor of Science (BSc) Zoology with 1st Class Honors, 1990
    University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Science, Bristol, UK.

Research

Dr. Cook has spent over two decades examining the impact of the environment on the well-being of dairy cattle. His primary focus has been to investigate the risk factors for lameness in dairy herds and to provide tools to help dairy producers diagnose, treat and prevent it. He has investigated the roles of stall design and resting behavior, heat stress behavior and milking waiting time and footbath design and management on lameness. He has also enhanced early lactation performance by improving transition period management and housing strategies. His current focus is on control of the resting microenvironment of the adult dairy cow to reduce heat stress.

Visit the FAPM Website

Responsibilities

Nigel Cook is a Professor in the Food Animal Production Medicine section of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine. He qualified as a veterinarian in 1992 and worked in a large food animal clinic in Southern England for four years before moving to the Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, where he spent three years as lecturer and head of the Large Animal Ambulatory Clinic. Since 1999 he has been in Wisconsin, teaching veterinary students, performing research and developing outreach to improve dairy cattle well-being. His particular interests include lameness prevention, cow comfort and improving facility design. He developed The Dairyland Initiative – a resource to drive the creation of welfare friendly cattle housing in 2010, and launched the Dairyland Initiative Podcast in 2024. He is currently Chair of the Department of Medical Sciences, Past President of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and was awarded the WVMA Veterinarian of the Year in 2019 and the AABP Award of Excellence in 2021.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Cook continues to consult on dairy farms to resolve mastitis and lameness issues, and aides in redesigning new & improved facilities.

Graduate Training

Diploma in Bovine Reproduction University of Liverpool, RCVS Certificate in Cattle Health and Production

Recent Publications

  1. Cook, N.B. (2020). Symposium Review: The impact of management and facilities on cow culling rates. J. Dairy Sci. 103:3846-3855 https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17140
  2. Cook N. B. (2019). Optimizing Resting Behavior in Lactating Dairy Cows Through Freestall Design. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice35(1), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2018.10.005
  3. Cook N. B. (2019). Designing Facilities for the Adult Dairy Cow During the Nonlactation and Early Lactation Period. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice35(1), 125–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2018.10.008
  4. Cook, N.B. (2019). Symposium Review: The impact of management and facilities on cow culling rates. J. Dairy Sci. 103. In press at https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17140
  5. Cook N. B. (2017). A Review of the Design and Management of Footbaths for Dairy Cattle. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice33(2), 195–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2017.02.004
  6. Cook, N. B. (2017). Assessment of cattle welfare: Common animal-based measures. Ch. 2. In Advances in Cattle Welfare (pp. 27–53). Woodhead Publishing, UK.