Àlex Bach

Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries

Life & Medical Sciences

Àlex holds a Master and a PhD in Dairy Science from the University of Minnesota. After a few years working as a research manager of a multinational company, Dr. Bach returned to academia as ICREA Research Professor and Head of the Department of Ruminant Production of IRTA. He has received several awards in recognition to his research activities (the last one this year from the 'Royal Academy of Veterinary Sciences of Spain), has spoken at more than 100 international congresses, is author or co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, more than 90 extension articles, and more than 15 books (or book chapters). He has served as a scientific expert in several committees of the European Food Safety Authority. He is section editor and sits in the editorial boards of several scientific journals, and is member of various scientific committees.


Research interests

Àlex Bach conducts research in ruminant production systems. His research focuses on optimizing the growth curve of dairy replacement heifers, as well as their management and housing systems (group size, behavior, stocking densities...). He also uses mathematical models to simulate work flows of ruminant production systems with the aim of helping the decision-making process in dairy enterprises. In addition, Àlex conducts basic research to understand the physiology and metabolism of ruminants with especial emphasis on the impact of nutrition and management during early development on future metabolic function.

Selected publications

- Bach A, Aris A, Vidal M, Fabregas F & Terre M 2017, 'Influence of milk processing temperature on growth performance, nitrogen retention, and hindgut's inflammatory status and bacterial populations in a calf model', Journal Of Dairy Research, 84, 3, 355 - 359.

- Bach A & Cabrera V 2017, 'Robotic milking: Feeding strategies and economic returns', Journal Of Dairy Science, 100, 9, 7720 - 7728.

- Bach A, Khan MA & Miller-Cushon EK 2017, 'Managing and feeding the calf through weaning', In: Large Dairy Herd Management. 3rd Edition. Ed. D. Beede. American Dairy Science Association. ISBN: 978-0-9634491-2-2. Pages 421-430 

- Bach A, Aris A & Guasch I 2017, 'Consequences of supplying methyl donors during pregnancy on the methylome of the offspring from lactating and non-lactating dairy cattle', Plos One, 12, 12, e0189581.