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Liz Eckelkamp

Associate Professor | Animal Science

Specialization: Dairy systems management Facilities Precision Technology Dairy cow health

Overview

As an Extension Specialist, I provide research-based tools, technologies, and suggestions to maximize farm efficiency. As part of this goal, I provide continuing education training through county-based Extension Agents, producer groups, and on-farm. Most of my extension expertise focuses on facilities, precision dairy technologies, and animal health. I also work closely with producers to address current and emerging issues. Additionally, I conduct applied research to generate on-farm practices to improve a farm's efficiency. Currently, my research is focusing on consumer preference and willingness to purchase local products, indicators of success for TN dairy producers, and value-added dairy production.

I also coordinate and provide curricula for the Tennessee Master Dairy Producer Program certification classes with support from county-based Extension Agents and other dairy professionals. You can find more information on this program and our extension resources on our UT Dairy​ website.

Outreach Focus

I take a dairy systems approach with low-to-no-cost functional fixes including cleaning or repairing existing resources to maximize efficiency. I also focus on record-keeping, best management practices, and technology to improve farm efficiency.

Research Focus

Goal: generate realistic on-farm practices to improve dairy farm profitability and efficiency. Current research is focused on consumer preferences, dairy permanency in TN, and value-added production.

Teaching Focus

Applied dairy systems management. This focuses on providing students with real-world situations to evaluate and provide realistic solutions.

Research Questions

  • Farm management and infrastructure impacts on TN dairy farms

    Consumer perception of and willingness to purchase local dairy products

    Transition cow protocols and management impacts on farm profitability

    Precision technology as a tool for health, welfare, and management

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ANSC 461 - Advanced Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Horse, Poultry, Sheep and Swine Judging
1 - 2 credit hours

Specialization in judging; evaluation, selection and presentation of oral reasons for classes of beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 labs.
Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 4 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of department head.

Other Instructors: Langford, Taylor Andrew | Johnston, Lacey

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
ANSC 496 - Equine Industries
1 - 6 credit hours

Credit for formalized U.S. or international travel, introducing students to issues facing equine industries. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of current events, career options, equine welfare, and the impact of the equine industry on the country’s economy. Determination of credit based on nature of proposed experience. Credit hours will be determined by the department depending on the extent of activity and types of projects and/or presentations to be completed by the student upon return. Can be used to satisfy the internship requirement of the Animal Industries concentration.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of Instructor

Other Instructors: Ivey, Jennie

Semesters Offered: Spring
ANSC 515 - Special Topics
1 - 4 credit hours

Instructor-initiated course to be offered on topics of current interest.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate or permission of instructor.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Prado, Tulio M. | Edwards, J. Lannett | Mason, Katie | Tabler, Tom | Ivey, Jennie | Myer, Phillip R | Mathew, Daniel J | Zoca, Saulo | Beever, Jon | Rowan, Troy | Strickland, Lew

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Picture of Liz Eckelkamp

865-974-8167

eeckelka@tennessee.edu

Google Scholar
244 Brehm Animal Science Building
2506 River Dr
Knoxville, TN 37996-4574
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Dairy Husbandry and Production, Univ of Kentucky Lexington*, 2017
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
Lab Members
Caitlin Samantha Zaring
Abby McCalmon
Shep Stearns
Dana Haines Weber

Liz Eckelkamp

Associate Professor | Animal Science
Picture of Liz Eckelkamp image

865-974-8167

eeckelka@tennessee.edu

Google Scholar
244 Brehm Animal Science Building
2506 River Dr
Knoxville, TN 37996-4574
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Dairy Husbandry and Production, Univ of Kentucky Lexington*, 2017
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
Overview

As an Extension Specialist, I provide research-based tools, technologies, and suggestions to maximize farm efficiency. As part of this goal, I provide continuing education training through county-based Extension Agents, producer groups, and on-farm. Most of my extension expertise focuses on facilities, precision dairy technologies, and animal health. I also work closely with producers to address current and emerging issues. Additionally, I conduct applied research to generate on-farm practices to improve a farm's efficiency. Currently, my research is focusing on consumer preference and willingness to purchase local products, indicators of success for TN dairy producers, and value-added dairy production.

I also coordinate and provide curricula for the Tennessee Master Dairy Producer Program certification classes with support from county-based Extension Agents and other dairy professionals. You can find more information on this program and our extension resources on our UT Dairy​ website.

Outreach Focus

I take a dairy systems approach with low-to-no-cost functional fixes including cleaning or repairing existing resources to maximize efficiency. I also focus on record-keeping, best management practices, and technology to improve farm efficiency.

Research Focus

Goal: generate realistic on-farm practices to improve dairy farm profitability and efficiency. Current research is focused on consumer preferences, dairy permanency in TN, and value-added production.

Teaching Focus

Applied dairy systems management. This focuses on providing students with real-world situations to evaluate and provide realistic solutions.

Research Questions

  • Farm management and infrastructure impacts on TN dairy farms

    Consumer perception of and willingness to purchase local dairy products

    Transition cow protocols and management impacts on farm profitability

    Precision technology as a tool for health, welfare, and management

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ANSC 461 - Advanced Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Horse, Poultry, Sheep and Swine Judging
1 - 2 credit hours

Specialization in judging; evaluation, selection and presentation of oral reasons for classes of beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 labs.
Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 4 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of department head.

Other Instructors: Langford, Taylor Andrew | Johnston, Lacey

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
ANSC 496 - Equine Industries
1 - 6 credit hours

Credit for formalized U.S. or international travel, introducing students to issues facing equine industries. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of current events, career options, equine welfare, and the impact of the equine industry on the country’s economy. Determination of credit based on nature of proposed experience. Credit hours will be determined by the department depending on the extent of activity and types of projects and/or presentations to be completed by the student upon return. Can be used to satisfy the internship requirement of the Animal Industries concentration.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of Instructor

Other Instructors: Ivey, Jennie

Semesters Offered: Spring
ANSC 515 - Special Topics
1 - 4 credit hours

Instructor-initiated course to be offered on topics of current interest.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate or permission of instructor.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Prado, Tulio M. | Edwards, J. Lannett | Mason, Katie | Tabler, Tom | Ivey, Jennie | Myer, Phillip R | Mathew, Daniel J | Zoca, Saulo | Beever, Jon | Rowan, Troy | Strickland, Lew

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Lab Members
Caitlin Samantha Zaring
Abby McCalmon
Shep Stearns
Dana Haines Weber