Principal investigator Jennifer Zambriski, assistant professor of epidemiology in the Department of Population Health Sciences, and co-investigator Sierra Guynn, clinical assistant professor of production management medicine in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, have been awarded a yearlong grant from Land O’Lakes Inc. to determine the efficacy of a novel natural feed additive targeting Cryptosporidium parvum in calves.

TITLE
Development of Feed Additives for the Treatment and Prevention of Cryptosporidiosis in Dairy Calves

FUNDING AGENCY
Land O’Lakes Inc.

TOTAL AWARD
$225,813
DIRECT: $178,650
INDIRECT: $47,163

DURATION OF AWARD
July 1, 2021 — June 30, 2022

KEY FACULTY PERSONNEL
PI/PD: Jennifer Zambriski
CO-I: Sierra Guynn

SIGNFICANCE
Diarrhea due to Cryptosporidium parvum is a significant cause of calf morbidity and mortality in production agriculture and an important welfare concern. There are no chemotherapeutics targeting this parasite for use in calves, and development of novel chemotherapeutics for use in agriculture has been restricted due to concerns over emergence of resistance and possible impacts on pediatric populations globally. This study aims to determine the efficacy of a novel natural feed additive targeting C. parvum, and to evaluate the impact of infection and treatment on the calf microbiome.