Cora Okkema, M.S.
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
Impacts of group stunning on the behavioral and physiological parameters of pigs and sheep in a small abattoir
Morgan Schaeperkoetter, Zachary Weller, Danielle Kness, Cora Okkema, Temple Grandin, Lily Edwards-Callaway
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2021.108538
Related Work
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De Grins Oer Dairy in Blanchard will host July 29 Breakfast on the Farm
Published on June 27, 2023
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Meet the family behind De Grins Oer Dairy - 2023 Breakfast on the Farm hosts
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From chillin’ to chilly – Natural ventilation during the winter months for dairy barns
Published on January 13, 2023
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Summer calf care reminders
Published on July 12, 2022
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Important changes to note in the dairy calf and heifer association’s 2020 gold standards
Published on July 8, 2022
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Dairy Spotlight: Cora Okkema
Published on June 22, 2022
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Water for calves is important
Published on June 15, 2022