Amber Adams-Progar

Dr. Amber Adams Progar is an Associate Professor and Dairy Management Specialist. She grew up on a dairy farm in rural Wisconsin and followed her passion for dairy to Washington State, home of the legendary Cougar Gold cheese. Her research focuses on monitoring dairy cattle behavior and physiological markers of stress to develop management practices that enhance dairy cattle well-being. A good quality of life results in healthier cows that produce superior milk for Washington’s citizens. Her laboratory also offers opportunities for graduate and undergraduate student research. Much of Dr. Adams Progar’s time; however, is spent working side-by-side with dairy producers to solve complex management problems through applied research.

Specific Research Areas

• Identify reliable measurements of stress in cattle by integrating behavioral and endocrinal stress responses.

• Evaluate how technological advances in dairy management impact cattle behavior and well-being.

• Determine how to manage environmental stressors that negatively affect dairy calf health, well-being, and performance
• Investigate cow characteristics and environmental conditions associated with high-risk human-cattle interactions.