Nigel Cook, BSc, BVSc, DBR, RCVS
Department of Medical Sciences
Office: 2034
Website
Titles and Education
- Diplomate, 2007
European College of Bovine Health Management - Diploma in Bovine Reproduction (with Distinction), 1998
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK - Certificate in Cattle Health & Production, 1995
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London, UK - Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) with Honors, 1992
University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Science, England. - 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.
Responsibilities
Since 2013, Dr. Cook has been the Chair of the Department of Medical Sciences - one of the clinical departments in the School of Veterinary Medicine with ~ 35 faculty. He is a member of the food animal production medicine group and chair of the curriculum committee. He was President of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners for 2012/2013 and continues to be a member of the Lameness Committee. He teaches in the Core Skills and Advanced Skills in Production Medicine final year elective rotations and lectures on bovine mastitis, lameness, ventilation and animal welfare. Since 2010, he has been the director of the Dairyland Initiative program (https://thedairylandinitiative.vetmed.wisc.edu/), an outreach vehicle developed to promote the construction of welfare friendly facilities for dairy cattle.
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
- 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
- Cook N. B. (2019). Optimizing Resting Behavior in Lactating Dairy Cows Through Freestall Design. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice, 35(1), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2018.10.005
- 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 practice, 35(1), 125–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2018.10.008
- 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
- Cook N. B. (2017). A Review of the Design and Management of Footbaths for Dairy Cattle. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice, 33(2), 195–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2017.02.004
- 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.