Cora Okkema, M.S.

Cora Okkema

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Degrees:
B.S. Animal Science, Dordt College 2016
M.S. Livestock Behavior and Welfare, Colorado State University 2022

Cora Okkema is a Michigan State University Extension dairy educator located in Mecosta County. She is serving North Central Michigan. She earned her B.S. in Animal Science from Dordt College in 2016. Following that she briefly worked in dairy livestock nutrition before becoming the herdsman on her family’s dairy farm. She has had hands-on experience with farm expansion, managing large herds, facilitating team meetings, and integrating new practices to improve labor efficiency and animal wellbeing. She completed a M.S. in Livestock Behavior and Welfare under Dr. Temple Grandin at Colorado State University in 2022. Her research focused on udder edema in first lactation dairy cows and the potential impact the disorder may have on the welfare of these cows.

Cora is passionate about helping farmers and their teams take their practices to the next level. She personally has seen the benefit of knowledge sharing, visiting other farms to explore other management methods, hosting consistent team meetings, effective record keeping, and training throughout all areas of the farm. Please reach out to see what services and opportunities can be offered to you.

 

Coverage Area:

Benzie County, Clare County, Grand Traverse County, Isabella County, Leelanau County, Manistee County, Mason County, Mecosta County, Missaukee County, Montcalm County, Osceola County, Wexford County

 

Publications:

Graduate Student Literature Review: Udder edema in dairy cattle—A possible emerging animal welfare issue

Cora Okkema, Temple Grandin

https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-19353

 

Effects of udder edema on parlor behavior in first- and second-lactation Holstein dairy cows.

C. Okkema, C., K. Eilertson, and T. Grandin. 2023. J Dairy Sci 106(11):7924-7931.

https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22761