Positions

Overview

  • My research interests can be grouped in three areas: 1) enhance nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows via dietary manipulation; 2) enhance the concentration of total nonstructural carbohydrates in forages via daytime cutting management; and 3) enhance pasture nutrient utilization via supplementation with energy sources. The overall goal is to balance the supply of rumen-degradable protein and fermentable energy to enhance microbial protein synthesis while reducing nitrogen excretion to the environment.
  • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title
    2025 Prepartum supplementation of Ascophyllum nodosum meal or ethylenediamine dihydroiodide: Effects on colostrum yield and growth and health of dairy calves.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  S0022-0302(25)00006-2. 2025
    2024 Supplementing flaxseed meal with sucrose, flaxseed oil, or both: Effects on milk enterolactone, ruminal microbiota profile, production performance, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  107:6834-6851. 2024
    2024 Feeding alfalfa-grass or red clover-grass mixture baleage: Effect on milk yield and composition, ruminal fermentation and microbiota taxa relative abundance, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  107:2066-2086. 2024
    2023 Replacing ground corn with soyhulls plus palmitic acid in low metabolizable protein diets with or without rumen-protected amino acids: Effects on production and nutrient utilization in dairy cows.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  106:4002-4017. 2023
    2022 Supplementation of Ascophyllum nodosum meal and monensin: Effects on diversity and relative abundance of ruminal bacterial taxa and the metabolism of iodine and arsenic in lactating dairy cows.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  105:4083-4098. 2022
    2021 Omasal flow of nonstructural carbohydrates and nitrogenous compounds in lactating dairy cows fed diets containing timothy cut in the afternoon or morning.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  104:12459-12471. 2021
    2021 Dietary starch level and rumen-protected methionine, lysine, and histidine: Effects on milk yield, nitrogen, and energy utilization in dairy cows fed diets low in metabolizable protein.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  104:9784-9800. 2021
    2021 Replacing soybean meal with okara meal: Effects on production, milk fatty acid and plasma amino acid profile, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  104:3109-3122. 2021
    2020 Assessing the potential of milk iodine intake to mitigate iodine deficiency in pregnant women of the United States via supplementation of Ascophyllum nodosum meal to dairy cows: A sensitivity analysis.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  103:6798-6809. 2020
    2020 Symposium review: Comparisons of feed and milk nitrogen efficiency and carbon emissions in organic versus conventional dairy production systems.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  103:5726-5739. 2020
    2020 Production and nitrogen metabolism in lactating dairy cows fed finely ground field pea plus soybean meal or canola meal with or without rumen-protected methionine supplementation.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  103:3161-3176. 2020
    2019 Production, milk iodine, and nutrient utilization in Jersey cows supplemented with the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (kelp meal) during the grazing season.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  102:8040-8058. 2019
    2019 Incremental amounts of rumen-protected histidine increase plasma and muscle histidine concentrations and milk protein yield in dairy cows fed a metabolizable protein-deficient diet.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  102:4138-4154. 2019
    2019 Production, milk fatty acid profile, and nutrient utilization in grazing dairy cows supplemented with ground flaxseed.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  102:1294-1311. 2019
    2018 A Review of Lignan Metabolism, Milk Enterolactone Concentration, and Antioxidant Status of Dairy Cows Fed Flaxseed.Molecules.  24:E41. 2018
    2018 Production, milk and plasma fatty acid profile, and nutrient utilization in Jersey cows fed flaxseed oil and corn grain with different particle size.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  101:2127-2143. 2018
    2018 Replacing ground corn with incremental amounts of liquid molasses does not change milk enterolactone but decreases production in dairy cows fed flaxseed meal.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  101:2096-2109. 2018
    2017 The plasma free amino acid dose-response technique: A proposed methodology for determining lysine relative bioavailability of rumen-protected lysine supplements.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  100:9585-9601. 2017
    2017 Production performance and milk fatty acid profile in grazing dairy cows offered ground corn or liquid molasses as the sole supplemental nonstructural carbohydrate source.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  100:8146-8160. 2017
    2017 Short communication: The mammalian lignan enterolactone is absorbed by newborn dairy calves fed enterolactone-enriched milk.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  100:8170-8175. 2017
    2017 Production and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows fed ground field peas with or without ruminally protected lysine and methionine.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  100:6239-6255. 2017
    2015 Integrating spot short-term measurements of carbon emissions and backward dietary energy partition calculations to estimate intake in lactating dairy cows fed ad libitum or restricted.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  98:8913-8925. 2015
    2015 Short communication: Feeding red clover cut in the afternoon or morning to late-lactation dairy cows.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  98:7335-7339. 2015
    2015 Incremental amounts of ground flaxseed decrease milk yield but increase n-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids in dairy cows fed high-forage diets(1).Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  98:4785-4799. 2015
    2015 Short communication: Use of a portable, automated, open-circuit gas quantification system and the sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique for measuring enteric methane emissions in Holstein cows fed ad libitum or restricted.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  98:2676-2681. 2015
    2015 Incremental amounts of Ascophyllum nodosum meal do not improve animal performance but do increase milk iodine output in early lactation dairy cows fed high-forage diets.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  98:1991-2004. 2015
    2015 Interactions of corn meal or molasses with a soybean-sunflower meal mix or flaxseed meal on production, milk fatty acid composition, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows fed grass hay-based diets.Journal of Dairy Science (JDS).  98:443-457. 2015
    2014 A Scale-Explicit Framework for Conceptualizing the Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Land Use ChangesSustainability.  6:8432-8451. 2014

    Conference Paper

    Year Title
    2020 A meta-analysis to compare feed and milk N efficiency of Holstein and Jersey cowsJournal of Dairy Science. 251-251. 2020
    2020 Comparison of milk iodine concentration between retail conventional and organic milk in the United States.Journal of Dairy Science. 222-223. 2020
    2020 Dietary energy source and rumen-protected amino acids: Effects on CH4 emissions and heat production in lactating dairy cows.Journal of Dairy Science. 252-252. 2020
    2020 Dietary energy source and rumen-protected amino acids: Effects on milk production and plasma amino acid concentrations in dairy cows.Journal of Dairy Science. 137-138. 2020
    2020 Effect of different levels of Ascophyllum nodosum meal on iodine metabolism in Jersey cows.Journal of Dairy Science. 248-248. 2020
    2020 Effects of Ascophyllum nodosum meal and monensin on ruminal fermentation and microbiota.Journal of Dairy Science. 258-258. 2020
    2020 Effects of ground flaxseed on ruminal microbiome composition in Jersey cows during the grazing season.Journal of Dairy Science. 292-292. 2020
    2020 Evaluation of research needs and management practices on organic, grass-fed dairy farms in the United States.Journal of Dairy Science. 236-236. 2020
    2020 Milk production and composition in Jersey cows grazing forage canola.Journal of Dairy Science. 277-277. 2020
    2020 Ruminal metabolism and plasma amino acids in Jersey cows grazing forage canola.Journal of Dairy Science. 154-154. 2020
    2017 Winter supplementation of ground whole flaxseed impacts milk fatty acid composition on organic dairy farms in the Northeastern United States.Journal of Animal Science. 142-143. 2017
    2011 Effect of time of cutting and maceration on forage composition, nutrient flow, microbial protein synthesis, and digestibility in dual-flow continuous cultureCanadian Journal of Animal Science. 486-487. 2011
    2011 Effect of Cutting Time and Maceration on Nitrogen Utilization of Trefoil-Grass Hay by Growing Cattle.Advances in Dairy Technology, Vol 23. 384-384. 2011
    2010 Effect of cutting time and conditioning method on cattle preference for trefoil-grass hay.Journal of Dairy Science. 477-477. 2010
    2010 Effect of cutting time and maceration on nitrogen utilization of trefoil-grass hay by growing steers.Journal of Dairy Science. 317-318. 2010
    2010 High total nonstructural carbohydrates timothy enhanced performance of mid-lactation dairy cows.Journal of Dairy Science. 146-147. 2010
    2009 Nitrogen partitioning study with dairy cows fed red clover silage: unaccounted lossesCanadian Journal of Animal Science. 136-136. 2009
    2007 Alfalfa harvested in the afternoon increases performance of lactating dairy cowsJournal of Dairy Science. 432-433. 2007
    2007 Alfalfa harvested in the afternoon increases performance of lactating dairy cowsPoultry Science. 432-433. 2007
    2007 Alfalfa harvested in the afternoon increases performance of lactating dairy cowsJournal of Animal Science. 432-433. 2007
    2007 Increasing non structural carbohydrates in alfalfa improves in vitro microbial N synthesisJournal of Animal Science. 430-430. 2007
    2007 Increasing non structural carbohydrates in alfalfa improves in vitro microbial N synthesisJournal of Dairy Science. 430-430. 2007
    2005 Ruminal outflow of soluble amino acid fractions in lactating dairy cowsJournal of Animal Science. 89-89. 2005
    2005 Ruminal outflow of soluble amino acid fractions in lactating dairy cowsJournal of Dairy Science. 89-89. 2005
    2004 Effects of different protein supplements on nitrogen utilization in dairy cows. I. Lactation performance and ruminal metabolismJournal of Animal Science. 161-161. 2004
    2004 Effects of different protein supplements on nitrogen utilization in dairy cows. I. Lactation performance and ruminal metabolismPoultry Science. 161-161. 2004
    2004 Effects of different protein supplements on nitrogen utilization in dairy cows. I. Lactation performance and ruminal metabolismJournal of Dairy Science. 161-161. 2004
    2004 Effects of different protein supplements on nitrogen utilization in dairy cows. II. Digesta flow and bacterial protein synthesisJournal of Animal Science. 161-161. 2004
    2004 Effects of different protein supplements on nitrogen utilization in dairy cows. II. Digesta flow and bacterial protein synthesisPoultry Science. 161-161. 2004
    2004 Effects of different protein supplements on nitrogen utilization in dairy cows. II. Digesta flow and bacterial protein synthesisJournal of Dairy Science. 161-161. 2004

    Principal Investigator On

  • Enhancing the Viability of Gra  awarded by University of Vermont 2024 - 2027
  • A novel approach to expand und  awarded by University of Maine 2023 - 2025
  • A Multi-Regional Approach  awarded by US Department of Agriculture 2020 - 2025
  • Feeding essential oils (Agolin  awarded by Organic Valley - CROPP Cooperative 2023 - 2025
  • A Multi-regional approach to balancing milk and forage quality tradeoffs in organic dairies  awarded by US DA, Department of Agriculture 2020 - 2024
  • Feeding Valiprov to Lactating  awarded by Cargill Animal Nutrition 2022 - 2023
  • Predicting dry matter intake in lactating Jersey cows using model evaluation and cross-validation  awarded by American Jersey Cattle Association 2022 - 2023
  • Advancing Grass-Fed Dairy  awarded by University of Vermont 2020 - 2022
  • Advancing Grass-Fed Dairy: A Whole Systems Approach to Enhancing Productivity and Farm Viability  awarded by University of Vermont 2020 - 2022
  • Accelerating Implementation of Algae-Feed for Dairy Cows  awarded by Bigelow Laboratories for Ocean Studies 2020 - 2022
  • Seed Grant: Relationship Between Ruminal Microbiome and Methane Emissions  awarded by US DA, Department of Agriculture 2018 - 2022
  • Developing Advanced Perennial Legume-Grass Mixtures Harvested as Stored Feeds to Improve herd Productivity and Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Organic Dairies in the Northeast  awarded by US DA, Department of Agriculture 2016 - 2021
  • Perennial Legume-Grass Mixture  awarded by US Department of Agriculture 2016 - 2021
  • Denitrifying Probiotic  awarded by Bezoar Laboratories 2019 - 2021
  • Investigate Effects of Denitrifying Probiotic on Methane Emissions  awarded by Bezoar Laboratories 2019 - 2021
  • Unraveling Challenges and Opportunities of Kelp Meal Supplementation in NE Organic Dairies  awarded by University of Vermont 2016 - 2020
  • Forage Brassicas  awarded by US DA, Department of Agriculture 2016 - 2020
  • Forage Brassicas  awarded by US Department of Agriculture 2016 - 2020
  • Developing Energy Dense Legume-Grass Mixture to Improve the Environmental Sustainability of Organic Dairies in Northeast  awarded by University of Vermont 2017 - 2019
  • Energy Dense Legume-Grass  awarded by University of Vermont 2017 - 2019
  • Forage-Based Approaches for Improving Profitability and Ecosystem Services of Dairy Farms in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania  awarded by University of Vermont 2013 - 2017
  • A Planning Network of Organic Farmers, Researchers, and dairy Processors to Optimize Productivity and Resiliency of Forage Production on Organic Dairy Farms  awarded by US DA, Department of Agriculture 2015 - 2017
  • Adisseo Smartamine ML Comparative Trial to AjiPro-L  awarded by Adisseo, Inc 2016 - 2017
  • Research and Educational Approaches to Guide Dairy Farmer Decisions About Kelp Meal Supplementation in the Northeast  awarded by University of Vermont 2015 - 2016
  • Adisseo Smartamine ML Project  awarded by Adisseo, Inc 2016
  • Assisting Organic Dairy Producers to Meet the Demands of New and Emerging Milk Markets  awarded by US DA, Department of Agriculture 2011 - 2016
  • Validate the Bioavailability of AjiPro-L 3G Using the In Vivo Plasma Lysine Response Methond  awarded by Ajinomoto Co Inc 2015 - 2016
  • Determining Plasma Methionine Concentrations for Holsteins Supplemented with 24 g/d From Four RP-MET Sources Using the Plasma Does-Response Method  awarded by Adisseo, Inc 2015
  • Determining the Bioavailability of Lysine in RPLys Products Using the In Vivo Plasma Lysine Response Method-A Comparative Evaluation  awarded by QualiTech Inc 2014 - 2015
  • Validation of Novimet Using the UNH in Vivo Plasma Dose-Response Method for Determining Bioavailability of Rumen Protected Amino Acids  awarded by Innovative Additives Inc 2014 - 2015
  • Validation of Blood Sampling Schedule Used in the UNH In Vivo Plasma Dose-Response Method for Determining Bioavailability of Rumen Protected Amino Acids  awarded by Adisseo, Inc 2014
  • Determining the Bioavailability of Lysine in Qualitech RPLys Product Using the In Vivo Plasma Lysine Response Method - a Comparative Evaluation  awarded by QualiTech Inc 2014
  • Determining the Bioavailability of Lysine in MetaboLys  awarded by HJ Baker & Bro Inc 2013 - 2014
  • Determining the Bioavailability of Methionine in Smartamine M Using the In Vivo Plasma Dose-Response Method  awarded by Adisseo, Inc 2013 - 2014
  • Integrating Grazing Research and Surveys to Assess and Advance the Current Knowledge about Kelp Meal Supplementation to Organic Dairy Farms in the Northeast  awarded by University of Vermont 2012 - 2013
  • Determining the Bioavailability of Lysine in RPLys Products Using the In Vivo Plasma Lysine Response Method - a Comparative Evaluation  awarded by Kemin AgriFoods North America Inc 2013
  • Validate the Bioavailabilty of the 2nd Generation AjiPro-L AjiPro-L2G Using the In Vivo Plasma Lysine Response Method  awarded by Ajinomoto Co Inc 2013
  • Determining the Bioavailabity of Lysine in Qualitech RPLys Product Using the In Vivo Plasma Lysine Response Method-A Comparative Evaluation  awarded by QualiTech Inc 2013
  • Determining the Bioavailability of Lysine in AjiPro-L and AminoShue-L Using the In Vivo Plasma Lysine Response Method-A Comparative Evaluation  awarded by Ajinomoto Heartland Inc 2012
  • Determining the Lysine Bioavailability of Rumen-Protected Lysine Products Using an In Vivo Plasma Lysine Response Method  awarded by Adisseo, Inc 2011 - 2012
  • Research and Extension Needs Assessment of the Organic Dairy Industry in the Northeast  awarded by US DA, Department of Agriculture 2010 - 2012
  • Molasses as an Alternative Energy Feed Source for Organic Dairies  awarded by US DA, Department of Agriculture 2010 - 2011
  • Molasses as an Alternative Energy Feed Source for Organic Dairies - Grad Student S. Ross  awarded by University of Vermont 2010 - 2011
  • Teaching Activities

  • ANFS Seminar Taught course
  • Doctoral Research Taught course
  • Doctoral Research Taught course
  • Doctoral Research Taught course
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course
  • ANFS Graduate Intro Course Taught course 2024
  • ANFS Seminar Taught course 2024
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2024
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2023
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2023
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2022
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2022
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2022
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2022
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2022
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2022
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2022
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2022
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2021
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2021
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2021
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2021
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2021
  • Ruminant Nutr Physiology Taught course 2021
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2020
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2020
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2020
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2020
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2020
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2020
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2019
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2019
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2019
  • Intro Animal Science Taught course 2019
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2019
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2019
  • Senior Honors Thesis Taught course 2019
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2019
  • Animal Agriculture Today Taught course 2018
  • Doctoral Dissertation Research Taught course 2018
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2018
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2018
  • Ruminant Nutr Physiology Taught course 2018
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2017
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2017
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2017
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2017
  • Ruminant Nutr Physiology Taught course 2017
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2016
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2016
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2016
  • Field Experience Taught course 2016
  • Investigations Taught course 2016
  • Ruminant Nutr Physiology Taught course 2016
  • Senior Honors Thesis Taught course 2016
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2015
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2015
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2015
  • Senior Honors Thesis Taught course 2015
  • Ruminant Nutr Physiology Taught course 2015
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2014
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2014
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition Taught course 2014
  • Investigations Taught course 2014
  • Ruminant Nutr Physiology Taught course 2014
  • Full Name

  • Andre Brito