We are interested in understanding the links between dairy cow behaviour, nutrition and welfare. My group’s fundamental research explores the development and learning of feeding behaviour in dairy cattle, as well as the physiological consequences of that behaviour. Applied research projects address practical approaches to improving the housing, management, and feeding of dairy cattle in effort to improve production, health, and welfare.
Expertises:
Dairy cattle behaviour and health
Feed bunk design and management
Feed sorting
Replacement heifer feeding management
Affiliations
American Dairy Science Association
International Society of Applied Ethology
Canadian Society of Animal Science
NMC (National Mastitis Council)
Current Research Projects:
Using knowledge of dairy cattle behaviour to reduce nutrient intake variability and improve efficiency, health, and welfare
Effects of early feeding management and housing on development of dairy calf and replacement heifer feeding behaviour
Utilizing knowledge of behaviour to improve feeding management of replacement dairy heifers
Effects of housing and management on the behavioural patterns and risk of mastitis in dairy cows
Selected Bibliography Highlights From the Last Five Years:
Miller-Cushon, E. K., and T. J. DeVries. 2011. Validation of methodology for characterization of feeding behavior in dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci. in press.
DeVries, T. J., L. Holsthausen, M. Oba, and K. A. Beauchemin. 2011. Effect of parity and stage of lactation on feed sorting behavior of lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 94:4039-4045.
DeVries, T. J., J. A. Deming, J. Rodenburg, G. Seguin, K. E. Leslie, H. W. Barkema. 2011. Association of standing and lying behavior patterns and incidence of intramammary infection in dairy cows milked with an automated system. J. Dairy Sci. 3845-3855.
Greter, A. M., B. L. Kitts, and T. J. DeVries. 2011. Limit feeding dairy heifers: Effect of feed bunk space and provision of a low-nutritive feedstuff. J. Dairy Sci. 94:3124-3129.
Reyher, K., S. Dufour, H. W. Barkema, L. DesCôteaux, T. J. DeVries, I. R. Dohoo, G. P. Keefe, J.-P. Roy, and D. T. Scholl. 2011. The National Cohort of Dairy Farms – A data collection platform for mastitis research in Canada. J. Dairy Sci. 94:1616-1626.
Kitts, B. L., B. W. McBride, I. J. H. Duncan, and T. J. DeVries. 2011. Effect of the provision of a low-nutritive feedstuff on the behavior of dairy heifers fed a high-concentrate ration in a limited amount. J. Dairy Sci. 94:940-950.
Greter, A. M., and T. J. DeVries. 2011. Effect of feeding amount on the feeding and sorting behaviour of lactating dairy cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91:47-54.
Miller-Cushon, E. K., and T. J. DeVries. 2011. Effect of early feed type exposure on diet selection behavior of dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci. 94:342-350.
DeVries, T. J. 2010. Invited review: Behaviour and its role in the nutritional management of the growing dairy heifer. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 90:295-302.
Greter, A. M., K. E. Leslie, G. J. Mason, B. W. McBride, and T. J. DeVries. 2010. Feed delivery method affects the learning of feeding and competitive behavior in dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 93:3730-3737.
Dufour, S., H. W. Barkema, L. DesCôteaux, T. J. DeVries, I. R. Dohoo, K. Reyher, J.-P. Roy, D. T. Scholl. 2010. Development and validation of a bilingual questionnaire for measuring udder health related management practices on dairy farms. Prev. Vet. Med. 95:74-85.
Felton, C., and T. J. DeVries. 2010. Effect of water addition to a total mixed ration on feed temperature, feed intake, sorting behavior, and milk production of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 93:2651-2660.
DeVries, T. J., S. Dufour, and D. T. Scholl. 2010. Relationship between feeding strategy, lying behavior patterns, and incidence of intramammary infection in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 93:1987-1997.
Greter, A. M., K. E. Leslie, G. J. Mason, B. W. McBride, and T. J. DeVries. 2010. Effect of feed delivery method on the behavior and growth of dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 93:1668-1676.
Miller-Cushon, E. K., and T. J. DeVries. 2010. Feeding amount affects the sorting behaviour of lactating dairy cows. Can J. Anim. Sci. 90:1-7.
DeVries, T. J., K. A. Beauchemin, F. Dohme, and K. S. Schwartzkopf-Genswein. 2009. Repeated ruminal acidosis challenges in lactating dairy cows at high and low risk for developing acidosis: Feeding, ruminating, and lying behavior. J. Dairy Sci. 92:5067-5078.
DeVries, T. J. and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk. 2009. Feed bunk competition affects the feeding behavior of growing dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 92:3922-3929.
Miller-Cushon, E. K., and T. J. DeVries. 2009. Effect of dietary dry matter concentration on the sorting behavior of lactating dairy cows fed a total mixed ration. J. Dairy Sci. 92:3292-3298.
DeVries, T. J. and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk. 2009. Feeding method affects the feeding behavior of growing dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 92:1161-1168.
DeVries, T. J., F. Dohme, and K. A. Beauchemin. 2008. Repeated ruminal acidosis challenges in lactating dairy cows at high and low risk for developing acidosis: Feed sorting. J. Dairy Sci. 91:3958-3967.
Dohme, F., T. J. DeVries, and K. A. Beauchemin. 2008. Repeated ruminal acidosis challenges in lactating dairy cows at high and low risk for developing acidosis: Ruminal pH. J. Dairy Sci. 91:3554-3567.
Greter, A. M., T. J. DeVries, and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk. 2008. Nutrient intake and feeding behavior of growing dairy heifers: Effects of dietary dilution. J. Dairy Sci. 91:2786-2795.
Hosseinkhani, A., T. J. DeVries, K. L. Proudfoot, R. Valizadeh, D. M. Veira, and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk. 2008. The effects of feed bunk competition on the feed sorting behavior of close-up dry cows. J. Dairy Sci. 91:1115-1121.
DeVries, T. J., K. A. Beauchemin, and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk. 2007. Dietary forage concentration affects the feed sorting behavior of lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 90:5572-5579.
DeVries, T. J., M. Vankova, D. M. Veira, and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk. 2007. Usage of mechanical brushes by lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 90:2241-2245.
