معرفی
Thomas R Overton serves as Department Chair and Professor of Dairy Nutrition and Management in the Department of Animal Science at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). He also directs PRO-DAIRY, an extension program focused on enhancing dairy farm profitability and efficiency in New York through research-based strategies for transition cow management.
Education:
- Doctorate, University of Illinois, 1998
- Master of Science, University of Illinois, 1994
- Bachelor of Science, Cornell University, 1991
Dr. Overton's research centers on the transition period (late pregnancy to early lactation) in dairy cows—the most critical phase for health and productivity. His work integrates nutritional physiology with practical farm applications, targeting hypocalcemia management, protein supplementation strategies, inflammation control, and biomarker validation for metabolic health. This research directly informs his extension efforts through PRO-DAIRY, which delivers actionable knowledge to dairy producers and industry professionals.
Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2022-2024) reveals consistent emphasis on transition cow nutrition, with growing focus on metabolic analytics, precision feeding, and real-world herd management. His work bridges controlled studies at Cornell's Ruminant Center with observational research on commercial New York dairy farms.
Scientific Awards:
- 2024 Nutrition Professionals Applied Dairy Research Award (American Dairy Science Association)
- 2010 CALS Extension/Outreach Team Award (PRO-DAIRY)
- 2007 Foundation Scholar Award (American Dairy Science Association)
- 2007 CALS Extension/Outreach Team Award
Dr. Overton advises undergraduate and graduate students in Animal Science while leading PRO-DAIRY's extension initiatives. His program secures industry partnerships and grants focused on improving dairy farm sustainability through nutritional science. The July 2025 'Farm of the Future' showcase at Cornell's Ruminant Center exemplifies his commitment to translating research into practical innovation.
He operates within Cornell's PRO-DAIRY program and the Cornell University Ruminant Center—a living laboratory for dairy technology testing—collaborating closely with industry stakeholders to address emerging challenges in dairy production.
