Question

A local organic dairy is currently experiencing high somatic cell counts (SCC) in the bulk tank, indicating potential udder infections in the milking string. Because the dairy is certified organic, conventional treatments for such ailments as mastitis are not an option. You’re a consultant and recently read in a trade publication that some dairymen are using a garlic-based treatment to reduce SCC in milking cows. To get the most of your research, you also considering to measure some other variables in the experiment (Decide what variables you like to measure and make sure that you have one for each of the requested categories).You have available fourteen uniform Jersey crosses of similar age (2^nd lactation), stage of lactation and genetic makeup at your disposal to investigate the effectiveness of garlic treatment on reducing SCC counts.

Identify the:

Problem/ Question:

Hypothesis:

1. 1. H₀:
2. 2. H₁:

Experimental unit:

Experimental material:

Control variable(s)

Independent variable(s):

Dependent variable(s):

1. 1. Quantitative variable(s):
   2. Qualitative variable(s):
2. 1. Continuous variable(s):
   2. Discrete variable(s):

Answer 1

(1) Problem/ Question: Effectiveness of garlic treatment on reducing SCC counts

(2) H0: Null Hypothesis: Garlic treatment is not effective on reducing SCC count

(3) HA: Alternative Hypothesis: Garlic treatment is effective on reducing SCC count

(4) Experimental unit: 14 uniform Jersey crosses of similarage

(5) Experimental material: milking cows

(6) Control variables: (i) similar age of cows (ii) stage of lactation, (iii) genetic make up

(7) Independent variables: garlic treatment

(8) Dependent variable:

         Quantitative Variable: Somatic Cell Counts (SCC counts)