Michigan State University
Dr. Adam L. Lock grew up on a dairy farm in the southwest of the United Kingdom and attended the University of Nottingham where he received a PhD in ruminant nutrition. He also completed a post-doctorate at the University of Nottingham before traveling to Cornell University to pursue another post-doctorate. Between 2006 – 2009, Lock had a research and teaching appointment at the University of Vermont before moving to Michigan State University where he has his current research and extension appointment. Lock’s programs focus on fatty acid digestion and metabolism in the dairy cow and the impact of bioactive fatty acids on both animal production and human health. Through his research program, the Lock Lipid Lab, there have been many research trials and published journal articles conducted to expand the knowledge of using fatty acid supplements and oilseeds to enhance fatty acid absorption in the small intestine, maximize milk fat synthesis through varying dietary strategies, and how individual fatty acids impact the metabolism of the dairy cow. These research findings help to improve the ability to troubleshoot on farm issues related to milk fat depression, low butterfat tests, and opportunities related to fat supplementation. Recently, Lock’s team has focused on the use of high oleic acid soybeans to improve milk production in high-producing dairy cows, which has been extremely beneficial to the Michigan dairy industry.