Ken Leslie
Professor Emeritus/Emerita (University)
DVM, MSc
keleslie@uoguelph.ca
Office: Stewart Bldg. 2507
519-824-4120 Ext. 54035
Dr. Ken Leslie was raised on a dairy farm in central Ontario. He graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1974, and developed cattle practice skills in Brampton, Ontario. In 1977, he accepted a clinical faculty position at the University of Guelph. Subsequently, Ken completed his M.Sc. graduate training in dairy cattle reproductive management. Dr. Leslie retired in 2011, after 34 years on faculty in the Department of Population Medicine. His career responsibilities involved teaching, research and extension education of dairy health management programs. Dr. Leslie originated the Dairy Health Management Certificate Program, which has provided detailed training for more than 100 dairy practitioners, and continues to be held each spring as an annual extension education conference. Through all of these efforts, his primary objective has been to foster awareness and interest in the implementation of progressive health management programs for the dairy industry.
Research Interests
Dr. Leslie has established an international reputation for his research and extension in mastitis control, calf health management and dairy cattle well-being. His special interests are udder health and calf management programs, as well as the interactions of dairy cattle behaviour and animal health.
Teaching
Challenges and Opportunities in Animal Production – ANSC*4230 (Undergraduate)
Dr. Ken Leslie is a Sessional Lecturer and Advisor in this senior undergraduate course for Animal Science and Animal Biology students with advanced understanding of, and career goals to work in, the dairy industry. Over the ten year history of this course, more than 250 senior students have gained knowledge and skills to better serve the dairy industry.
Professional Experience & Honours
- Merck Animal Health Award for Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 1991
- AABP Cyanamid Award of Excellence, 1991
- Merck Animal Health Award for Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 1996
- Canadian Animal Health Institute Industry Leadership Award, 1998
- American Dairy Science Association West Agro Award, 1999
- Zoetis Award for Research Excellence, 2004
- OABP Award of Excellence, 2007
- Ontario Veal Association Board of Director’s Award, 2010
- AABP Mentor of the Year, 2010
- Dr. Roberto Poma Memorial Faculty Prize, 2011
- NMC Award of Excellence, 2012
Selected Publications
Zobel G, Weary DM, Leslie K, von Keyserlingk MAG. 2015. Invited review: Cessation of lactation: Effects on animal welfare. Journal of Dairy Science, In Press.
Deelen SM, Ollivett TL, Haines DM, Leslie KE. 2014. Evaluation of a Brix refractometer to estimate serum immunoglobulin G concentration in neonatal dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 97: 3838–3844.
Windeyer MC, Leslie KE, Godden SM, Hodgins DC, Lissemore KD, LeBlanc SJ. 2014. Factors associated with morbidity, mortality, and growth of dairy heifer calves up to 3 months of age. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 113: 231–240.
Fitzpatrick CE, Chapinal N, Petersson-Wolfe CS, DeVries TJ, Kelton DF, Duffield TF, Leslie KE. 2013. The effect of meloxicam on pain sensitivity, rumination time, and clinical signs in dairy cows with endotoxin-induced clinical mastitis. Journal of Dairy Science, 96: 2847–2856.
Murray CF, Leslie KE. 2013. Newborn calf vitality: Risk factors, characteristics, assessment, resulting outcomes and strategies for improvement. The Veterinary Journal, 198: 322–328.
Stanton AL, Kelton DF, LeBlanc SJ, Wormuth J, Fox LK, Leslie KE. 2013. Effects of tulathromycin on incidence of various diseases and growth of young heifers. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 243: 267–276
DeVries TJ, Aarnoudse MG, Barkema HW, Leslie KE, von Keyserlingk MAG. 2012. Associations of dairy cow behavior, barn hygiene, cow hygiene, and risk of elevated somatic cell count. Journal of Dairy Science, 95: 5730–5739.
Leslie KE, Petersson-Wolfe CS. 2012. Assessment and management of pain in dairy cows with clinical mastitis. Veterinary Clinics of North America Food Animal Practice, 28: 289–305.
Dohoo I, Andersen S, Kelton D, Dingwell R, Schukken Y, Leslie K, Godden S. 2011. Diagnosing intramammary infections: Comparison of multiple versus single quarter milk samples for the identification of intramammary infectons in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 94: 5515–5522.
Henderson L, Miglior F, Sewalem A, Kelton D, Robinson A, Leslie KE. 2011. Genetic parameters for measures of calf survival in a population of Holstein calves from a heifer-raising facility in New York State. Journal of Dairy Science, 94: 461–470.
Bielmann V, Gillan J, Perkins NR, Skidmore AL, Godden S, Leslie KE. 2010. An evaluation of Brix refractometry instruments for measurement of colostrum quality in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 93: 3713–3721.
LeBlanc SJ, Lissemore KD, Kelton DF, Duffield TF, Leslie KE. 2006. Major advances in disease prevention in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, Centennial Issue, 89: 1267–1279.
LeBlanc SJ, Leslie KE, Duffield TF. 2005. Metabolic predictors of displaced abomasum in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 88: 159–170.
