About

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Anne Laarman was born on a hog and cash crop farm in the Netherlands. At the age of 10, his family immigrated to Lethbridge, AB, where he worked on the farm in hog, cow/calf, and cash crop farming. Anne moved to Edmonton in 2003 to pursue his BSc and MSc, and to Guelph in 2011 to pursue his PhD. In 2015, he moved to Moscow, ID (USA) to begin a position as assistant professor in ruminant nutrition, and moved to Edmonton in July 2019. In addition to work, Anne also enjoys travelling, playing in concert and jazz bands, running, and swimming.

DEGREES

• PhD: University of Guelph (2015)
• MSc: University of Alberta (2011)
• BSc: University of Alberta (2008)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

• Assistant Professor, Dairy Nutrition & Physiology      (2019 - Present)
•    University of Alberta 
• Assistant Professor, Ruminant Nutrition & Metabolism  (2015 - 2019)
•    University of Idaho (Moscow, ID, USA)
• Research Assistant, Animal Science                (2011 - 2015)
•    University of Guelph (Guelph, ON)
• Knowledge Transfer Intern, Dairy Nutrition           (2011 - 2012)
•    Ontario Ministry of Ag, Food, Rural Affairs
•    (Guelph, ON)
• Research Assistant, Animal Science                (2008 - 2011)
•    University of Alberta
• Research Intern, Dairy & Meat Science              (2008)
•    Agroscope Liebefeld Posieux (Posieux, FR,
•    Switzerland) 
• Research Assistant, Fish Toxicology                (2007 - 2008)
•    University of Alberta
• Research Intern, Ruminant Nutrition                (2006 - 2007)
•    Agriculture & AgriFood Canada (Lethbridge, AB)
• Research Intern, Crop Science                     (2005; 2006)
•    BASF Canada (Lethbridge, AB; Edmonton, AB)

Research

RESEARCH AREAS

Our research team is focused on improving nutrient absorption in cows and calves with the goal of making them healthier, more productive, and more able to withstand dietary changes. Our team has three principal foci:

• Gut development - In the first few weeks of life, ruminants undergo a transformation from a pseudo-ruminant monogastric to ruminant. At birth, the rumen is non-functional, and must be functional by weaning, typically at 6 weeks of life. My research program focuses on what this transition involves, what triggers it, and developing nutritional strategies for calves to promote rumen development. Two key aspects of rumen development studied in my lab is the development of nutrient absorption capacity and the ability to prevent bacteria from entering the bloodstream.
• Calf health - Calves are born without immunoglobulins, antibodies needed to fight disease. The only source of immunoglobulins in calves is colostrum, which can only be absorbed in the first few days of life, when the gut is permeable to immunoglobulins; this process is known as Passive Transfer of Immunity. My team studies the factors involved in the absorption of immunoglobulins in calves, and what makes a gut begin the process of "gut closure", reducing permeability to immunoglobulins. Ultimately, our goal is to develop strategies that prolong the window for immunoglobulin absorption and increase the rate of immunoglobulin absorption by the calf to improve Passive Transfer of Immunity.
• Gut adaptation - Dairy and beef cows are switched to highly fermentable diets to provide energy for milk and meat production as part of industry production practices. During the adaptation process, cows are susceptible to subacute ruminal acidosis and breakdown of the gut barrier, leading to adverse health outcomes. My research program studies dietary adaptation, which biomarkers are key to successful and healthy adaptation, and how we can use feed additives (e.g. probiotics, prebiotics) to improve health and productivity during dietary transitions.

If you are interested in having a follow-up conversation, or would like to explore the possibility of research experience, please contact me. Opportunities are available as funding and space allows.

AFNS 561 - Ruminant Digestion, Metabolism, and Nutrition

Integration of theory and practical concepts in ruminant nutrition, digestion and metabolism through topics such as energy flow in ruminants, protein systems and net feed efficiency. Laboratories will involve formulation of rations for various physiological states of beef and dairy cattle, economical rations, feed mixes, protein systems (degradable and undegradable protein systems) and net feed efficiency formulations. Not to be taken if credit received for AN SC 461. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

AN SC 461 - Ruminant Digestion, Metabolism, and Nutrition

Integration of theory and practical concepts in ruminant nutrition, digestion and metabolism through topics such as energy flow in ruminants, protein systems and net feed efficiency. Laboratories will involve formulation of rations for various physiological states of beef and dairy cattle, economical rations, feed mixes, protein systems (degradable and undegradable protein systems) and net feed efficiency formulations. Prerequisite: AN SC 260 or *3 NUTR.

Browse more courses taught by Anne Laarman