I have been a faculty member of the Animal and Veterinary Science Department at the University of Idaho since August 2000. I maintain an office at the Caldwell Complex in southwestern Idaho.

My Extension programs emphasize Spanish and English language educational opportunities for current and prospective Idaho dairy employees, and the enhancement of reproductive efficiency on Idaho dairies.
Spanish language programs are part of an exciting frontier for Extension. I have prepared materials and made presentations in University of Idaho Spanish language programs including the: 1) Spanish language AI school, 2) “Clase del Ordeño” (Milker’s School), and 3) “Criar Becerros Sanos” (Raising Healthy Calves) workshop. Consequently, I am better prepared to interact, on and off the farm, with Spanish speaking dairy employees in their native language. Furthermore, the delivery of Spanish language programs: 1) narrows the language and culture gap that exists between English speaking dairy owners (and allied industry personnel) and Spanish speaking employees, and 2) provides Idaho dairies with well-trained employees.

In 2009, K. Scott Jensen (UI Extension Educator, Owyhee County) and I embarked on a new series of educational programs in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee. We conducted four milking schools for refugees that have been temporarily resettled in Boise. This series of educational events has been recognized by regional dairy producers (30 refugees are currently working at Three Mile Canyon Farms in Boardman, OR) and by National Public Radio.

As my appointment with the University of Idaho is 70% Extension and 30% Research, a significant amount of effort is also expended on applied research. Research studies are focused on increasing the efficiency of artificial insemination in dairy cattle, including heat detection accuracy, synchronization programs, and AI technician proficiency. A current project is focused on heat detection accuracy, with 15 Idaho dairies as collaborators.

I have published original research in the Journal of Animal Science, Journal of Dairy Science, and Theriogenology, as well as popular press articles in The Progressive Dairyman and Hoard’s Dairyman magazines. I have also been invited to give presentations at conferences and producer meetings throughout the United States, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil.

Refereed Journals

Johnson, C.R., M.W. Ayers, A. Ahmadzadeh, B. Shafii, S. Etter, R.C. Chebel, and J.C. Dalton. 2012. Short Communication: Characterization of early postpartum estrous behavior and ovulation in lactating dairy cows using radiotelemetry. J. Dairy Sci. 95:5085-5088.

Dalton, J.C., L. Deragon, J.L.M. Vasconcelos, C.N. Lopes, R.F.G. Peres, and A. Ahmadzadeh. 2012. Fertility-associated antigen on Nelore bull sperm and reproductive outcomes following first-service fixed-time AI of Nelore cows and heifers. Theriogenology. 77:389–394.

Dalton, J.C., J.Q. Robinson, and J.M. DeJarnette. 2012. A collaborative bovine artificial insemination short course for students attending a Caribbean veterinary school. Journal of Extension. (Accepted March 1, 2012)

Lopes, Jr., G., C.R. Johnson, L.G.D. Mendonca, P.B. Silva, J.G.N. Moraes, A. Ahmadzadeh, J.C. Dalton, and R.C. Chebel. 2012.Evaluation of reproductive and economic outcomes of dairy heifers inseminated at induced estrus or at fixed time after a 5-day or 7-day progesterone insert-based ovulation synchronization protocol. J. Dairy Sci. (Accepted November 9, 2012)

Dalton, J.C., L. Deragon, J.L.M. Vasconcelos, C.N. Lopes, R.F.G. Peres, and A. Ahmadzadeh. 2011. Fertility-associated antigen on Nelore bull sperm and reproductive outcomes following first-service fixed-time AI of Nelore cows and heifers. Theriogenology. Available on-line September 29, 2011 at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.08.011

Johnson, C.R., M.W. Ayers, A. Ahmadzadeh, B. Shafii, S. Etter, R.C. Chebel, and J.C. Dalton. 2011. Short Communication: Characterization of early postpartum estrous behavior and ovulation in lactating dairy cows using radiotelemetry. J. Dairy Sci. (Submitted October 2011)

Howard, J.M., D.G. Falk, K.G. Carnahan, J.C. Dalton, R.C. Chebel, and A. Ahmadzadeh. 2009. The use of GnRH in a progesterone-based timed artificial insemination protocol in replacement beef heifers. Prof. An. Sci. 25:757-761.

Ahmadzadeh, A., F. Frago, B. Shafii, J.C. Dalton, W.J. Price, and M.A. McGuire. 2009. Effect of clinical mastitis and other diseases on reproductive performance of Holstein cows. An. Repro. Sci. 112:3-4:273-282.

Stevenson, J.L., J.C. Dalton, J.E.P. Santos, R. Sartori, A. Ahmadzadeh, and R.C. Chebel. 2008. Effect of synchronization protocols on follicular development and estradiol and progesterone concentrations of dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 91:3045-3056.Stevenson, J.L., J.A.
Rodrigues, F.A. Braga, S. Bitente, J.C. Dalton, J.E.P. Santos, and R.C. Chebel. 2008. Effect of reproductive protocols and reproductive tract score on reproductive performance of dairy heifers and economic outcome of breeding programs. J. Dairy Sci. 91:3424–3438. 

Peer Reviewed Journals

• Dalton, J.C. 2012. Strategies for success in heat detection and artificial insemination. DAIReXNET. Available at: http://www.extension.org/pages/65460/strategies-for-success-in-heat-detection-and-artificial-insemination

• Johnson, C.R., A. Ahmadzadeh, K.S. Jensen, S. Etter, R. Wilson, N. Dalton, and J.C. Dalton. 2008. Effect of duration of intravaginal progesterone insert (CIDR) treatment on pregnancy rate per AI in dairy heifers using a timed-AI protocol. In: Proc. Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science, Laramie, WY, J. Anim. Sci. 59:33-36.