Dr.Todd Bilby

Dairy Extension Specialist
Assistant Professor

Mailing Address:
Department of Animal Sciences
PO Box 210038
Tucson, AZ 85721-0038

Physical Address:
Shantz Building, Room 203
1177 E 4th Street
Tucson, AZ 85721

Email: trbilby@cals.arizona.edu
Office: 520-626-9383
Cell: 520-609-9393
Fax: 520-621-9435

Degrees:
Ph.D. - University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
M.S. - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
B.S. - Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Classes Taught
ANS 472/572 - Advanced Dairy Herd Management

Dr. Todd Bilby joined the University of Arizona Department of Animal Sciences faculty in February 2007. Prior to joining the University of Arizona, he worked for Monsanto Company in the central valley of California. Dr. Bilby's masters and doctorate training was in the area of reproduction. He organizes Arizona Dairy Day which attracts approximately 750 people from around the state that work in the dairy industry. In addition, he also organizes the Arizona Dairy Production Conference for dairy producers and industry professionals. This meeting primarily targets "hot topics" facing Arizona dairy producers. Dr. Bilby's appointment is 60% extension, 30% research, and 10% teaching.

Research Interests
Reproductive Physiology: Primary research focus will be optimizing reproductive efficiencies during heat stress. This will encompass optimizing synchronization programs and developing strategies to reduce embryo loss in dairy cattle.
Nutritional Physiology: Research will focus on nutritional ways to improve reproduction during heat stress. This will focus on evaluating feeding different feed additives to possibly reduce heat stress effects on follicular dynamics, the early growing embryo and milk production.
Cow Comfort and Cooling: Research will focus on evaluating different cooling technologies, facility design and heat abatement on dairy farms. This will involve determining and optimizing different cooling procedures and technologies to improve farm profitability.

Selected Publications

• Thatcher, W.W., F.T. Silvestre, T.R. Bilby, and C.R. Staples. 2006. Nutraceutical Regulation of Reproductive Function in Lactating Dairy Cows during Heat Stress. Southwestern Dairy Nutrition Conference pg. 125-137
• Thatcher, W.W., F.T. Silvestre, T.R. Bilby, C.R. Staples, J.E.P. Santos, M.E. Benzaquen, C.A. Risco, and L.A. MacLaren. 2006. Nutrient Regulation of Hormonal, Humoral, and Cellular Responses in Postpartum Lactating Dairy Cows: Building Blocks for Restoration of Fertility. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition, pg. 37-59.
• Bilby, T.R., J. Block, B. C. do Amaral, O. Sa Filho, F. T. Silvestre, P. J. Hansen, C. R. Staples, and W. W. Thatcher. 2006. Effects of Dietary Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Oocyte Quality and Follicular Development in Lactating Dairy Cows in Summer. J. Dairy Sci. 89:3891-3903.
• Bilby, T.R., A. Sozzi, M. M. Lopez, F. T. Silvestre, A. D. Ealy, C. R. Staples, and W. W. Thatcher. 2006. Pregnancy, Bovine Somatotropin, and Dietary n-3 Fatty Acids in Lactating Dairy Cows: I. Ovarian, Conceptus, and Growth Hormone-Insulin-Like Growth Factor System Responses. J. Dairy Sci. 89:3360-3374.
• Bilby, T.R., A. Guzeloglu, L. A. MacLaren, C. R. Staples, and W. W. Thatcher. 2006. Pregnancy, Bovine Somatotropin, and Dietary n-3 Fatty Acids in Lactating Dairy Cows: II. Endometrial Gene Expression Related to Maintenance of Pregnancy. J. Dairy Sci. 89:3375-3385.
• Bilby, T.R., T. Jenkins, C. R. Staples, and W. W. Thatcher. 2006. Pregnancy, Bovine Somatotropin, and Dietary n-3 Fatty Acids in Lactating Dairy Cows: III. Fatty Acid Distribution. J. Dairy Sci. 89:3375-3385.
• Thatcher, W.W., A. Guzeloglu, and T.R. Bilby. 2006. Early Embryonic Mortality: Causes, Consequences, and Remedies. Belgium Reproduction (Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift) 75: 106-113.
• Thatcher, W.W., T. R. Bilby, J.A. Bartolome, F. Silvestre, C.R. Staples, and J.E.P. Santos. 2006. Strategies for improving fertility in the modern dairy cow. Theriogenology 65:30-44.
• Thatcher, W.W., T.R. Bilby, A. Guzeloglu, and C.R. Staples. 2005. Potential Mechanisms and Challenges to Regulate Fertility in Dairy Cows. Uberlandia MG, Brazil March 17-18
• Block, J., R.M. Rivera, M. Drost, F.D. Jousan, C.R. Looney, F. Silvestre, F.F. Paula-Lopes, O.M. Ocon, H. Rosson, T.R. Bilby, R. L. Monson, J.J. Rutledge, and P.J. Hansen. 2004. Short Communication: Effect of Bovine Somatotropin and Breed on Pregnancy Rates Following Timed Embryo Transfer in Nonlactating Cows. Vet. Rec. 156:175-176.
• Guzeloglu, A., T.R. Bilby, A. Meikle, S. Kamimura, A. Kowalski, F. Michel, L.A. MacLaren, and W.W. Thatcher. 2004. Pregnancy and Bovine Somatotropin in Nonlactating Dairy Cows: II. Endometrial Gene Expression Related to Maintenance of Pregnancy. J. Dairy Sci. 87:3268-3279.
• Bilby, T.R., A. Guzeloglu, S. Kamimura, S.M. Pancarci, F. Michel, H.H. Head, and W. W. Thatcher. 2004. Pregnancy and Bovine Somatotropin in Nonlactating Dairy Cows: I. Ovarian, Conceptus, and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Responses. J. Dairy Sci. 87:3256-3267.
• Thatcher, W.W., T. Bilby, C.R. Staples, L. MacLaren and J. Santos. 2004. Effects of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Reproductive Processes in Dairy Cattle. Southwestern Dairy Nutrition Conference
• Thatcher, W.W., A. Guzeloglu, A. Meikle, S. Kamimura, T. Bilby, A.A. Kowalski, L. Badinga, R. Pershing, J. Bartolome, J.E.P. Santos. 2003. Regulation of Embryo Survival. Reprod. Suppl. 61:253-66. Review.
• Thatcher, W.W., T. Bilby, A. Guzeloglu and C.R. Staples. 2003. Use of Timed Insemination as a Model to Improve Pregnancy Rates in Lactating Dairy Cows. International Congress of Animal Reproduction, Brazil
• Rorie, R.W., T.R. Bilby, and T.D. Lester. 2002. Application of Electronic Estrus Detection Technologies to Reproductive Management of Cattle. Theriogenology 57:137-48. Review.
• Bilby, T.R., and R.W. Rorie. 2001. Effect of Treatment to Temporarily Block Germinal Vesicle Breakdown on Porcine Oocyte Maturation and Subsequent Parthenogenetic Development. Arkansas Animal Science Department Report, Fayetteville, AR.