Excellence in Research - Richard Kohn

Dr. Richard (Rick) Kohn holds a split research and Extension appointment in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences. He is internationally known for his research and Extension programs dealing with reducing nutrient losses from dairy farms to the environment, a critical component of management of nutrient losses from agriculture to the Chesapeake Bay. Using mathematical modeling, his research accomplishments fall into three main areas: 1) Quantification of nutrient losses from animal production units - dairy farm systems; 2) Evaluation and comparison of diet formulation models; and 3) use of milk urea nitrogen (MUN) to estimate nitrogen secretion. Dr. Kohn developed methods to quantify the nutrient losses from dairy farm systems and subsequent research quantified the impact of management decisions such as the use of bovine somatotropin, milking frequency or photoperiod manipulation on nutrient losses. Dr. Kohn's research on integrating, comparing, and evaluating different mathematical models identified the strengths and weakness of several empirical and mechanistic models. Finally, Dr. Kohn's laboratory devised a method to use milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and milk production to rapidly quantify fecal and urinary nitrogen produced by dairy herds. Together with models of whole-farm nitrogen flow, this technique allows researchers, Extension specialists, and practicing nutritionists to quantify the economic impact of technology transfer programs aimed at improving nutrient utilization in the animal. The model was used on over 450 dairy farms in the Chesapeake Bay drainage basin and is frequently referred to as the "Maryland Model."

The results of Dr. Kohn's research have been widely published and presented. He is an associated editor for the Journal of Diary Science and on the editorial board for the Journal of Animal Science. He is also a member of the environmental committee for the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS), and chair of the nutrition committee for the American Dairy Science Association. He has chaired several graduate committees including 4 Ph.D. students and 3 .M.S. students. He also developed and taught a graduate level course, "Mathematical Techniques in Animal Physiology and Nutrition", though his is not officially on a teaching appointment.

For more information, contact Gail Yeiser

Last updated: 03/12/2009