by Caroline Stamm '24
For dairy cows, the transition period from late pregnancy to early lactation is a critical time that significantly impacts their health and the sustainability of the dairy industry. Graduate student and veterinarian Dr. Francisco Somare MS ’25 is conducting research to better understand the metabolic changes cows undergo during this time. His goal is to provide practical advancements to the transition period for dairy professionals in New York and beyond.
“The transition period is when cows are most vulnerable,” Somare said. “They need to start eating as soon as possible after calving to support milk production, but their bodies are undergoing significant metabolic changes. Optimizing calcium metabolism during this time is essential for both cow health and milk production.”
Somare is from Argentina and works under the guidance of Thomas Overton, Animal Science Department chair and professor of dairy nutrition and management. “Cornell's Animal Science Department has always been at the forefront of dairy research,” Somare said. “Working with Professor Overton and being part of such an innovative research community has been invaluable. The department's focus on advancing science while keeping practical applications for farmers is exactly what drew me here.”