Dairy research at NSAC gets a boost with AAFC researcher

NSAC would like to welcome Dr. Julie Small to the Department of Plant and Animal Sciences. Dr. Small is taking on the role of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Dairy Researcher located at NSAC. An NSAC alumnus, Dr. Small received her B.Sc. from the University of Guelph, her M.Sc. from the University of Manitoba and her PhD from the University of British Columbia.

Originally from Saint John, NB, Dr. Small says her interest in agriculture began while working on a beef and strawberry farm on Oak Bay (St Stephen, NB).

“Working on the farm was what really sparked my interest in livestock production,” says Dr. Small, “Not to mention that milking cows helped pay my way through university!”

In 1990, Dr. Small began working as a Research Scientist for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, located at the Research Farm in Nappan, NS where she worked on beef heifer development, nutrition and fertility in the post-partum cow. In 1997, she transferred to the Research Centre in Brandon, MB where she worked on developing alternative systems for beef production.

In 2003, Dr. Small moved to the Dairy and Swine Research Centre in Lennoxville, QC working on the effects of feeding flaxseed on postpartum fertility in first lactation dairy heifers. Living in Quebec also gave her the opportunity to improve her French speaking skills!

Dr. Small currently holds memberships with the Canadian and American Societies of Animal Science and has served two terms as an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Animal Science. She has also served as the Membership Chair of the Canadian Society of Animal Science.

In August 2007, Dr. Small arrived in Truro with her husband, two young children (ages 9 and 11) and a dog and cranky cat to take on her present position at NSAC. As Dairy Researcher, her primary focus will be finding ways to improve fertility in dairy cows. Says Dr. Small:

“I’m enjoying my time here at NSAC and am excited to be working towards sustainable, low cost cattle management in Atlantic Canada.”