What will be the ultimate impact on U.S. dairy farms from the coronavirus, and what can the industry do to address the results?
Answers to those questions are what a team of researchers from University of California-Davis, Washington State University (WSU), University of Idaho and South Dakota State University is hoping to determine, according to John R. Wenz, DVM, MS, Field Disease Investigation Unit, WSU.
The team has developed a set of surveys it would like dairy industry members to complete this week.
The results will be used in a grant proposal the team is submitting to the USDA’s “Rapid Response to Novel Coronavirus” program to obtain funds that will benefit the dairy industry.
“Even if the grant isn’t funded the results will allow us to identify critical areas for outreach activities with the objective of mitigating potential risks to dairy farmers’ and workers’ health, further labor disruptions, milk supply shortages, and economic risks to the sector,” Wenz wrote in an email to Bovine Veterinarian on Wednesday.
“Whether or not one believes the novel coronavirus presents a significant health risk, it definitely presents a risk to the businesses in the dairy industry,” he adds.
The team has developed three surveys and asks that you complete the one reflective of your specific role in the dairy industry. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous.
Allied Industry Professionals (Veterinarians, Nutritionists, Consultants, Sales Reps): https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Jn5tx9KnPNE2nr
Dairy Producers/Managers: https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d7gA0pfFiIjeRs9
Dairy Farm Workers (English and Spanish): https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_czN1s3rjp9FaAHb
An overview of the research team members and their grant program objectives are available at the start of each survey.
For more information, you can also contact Dr. Wenz at jrwenz@wsu.edu
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