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AnSci Connection November 2005 |
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News and Announcements
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Ponce de León to Step Down as Department Head Dr. Abel Ponce de León has announced his decision to step down as Head of the Department of Animal Science by June 30, 2006, or until a suitable replacement is identified. In an email announcement to Animal Science faculty, staff and students, Dr. Ponce de León explained he was planning to hold off on this announcement until later this year "to avoid adding one more issue to the many we have to consider regarding the development of the new expanded college." It was recently announced that Dr. Ponce de León is a finalist in the search for associate dean for research of the new expanded college. In light of the his candidacy for that position, Dr. Ponce de León felt that the news of him dropping his role as department head should go out earlier than planned. His decision to step down is independent of the outcome of the position search. Dr. Ponce de León went on to say "I would like to invite all of you to remain engaged and continue doing the work we need to do to define and affirm our department's role in the new expanded college. I am committed to continue to provide the leadership necessary to achieve the latter. I also take this opportunity to thank all of you for your spirit of collaboration and support during my tenure as department head." The faculty, staff and students of the Department of Animal Science wish Dr. Ponce de León the very best in all his future endeavors. |
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Open Enrollment Reminder Open enrollment for health benefits ends November 30, 2005. All faculty and staff will need to select a medical and dental plan for 2006. Current employees will enroll online using Employee Self-Service (see http://hrss.umn.edu/). There are new medical plans and rate structures for 2006. The dental plan options are not changing; however, you must re-enroll in a dental plan or you will not be covered. You may review and compare the benefits options online at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/eb/uplan/openenroll/index.html. Open enrollment is also the time to enroll in a flexible spending account, add or increase long-term disability insurance coverage, and add or cancel dependents. Questions about your benefits or the open enrollment process may be directed to the Office of Human Resources at 612-624-9090 or benefits@umn.edu. |
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Turkey Media Day to be Held November 16 On November 16th, Media Day will be held at Rosemount's UMore Park, Turkey Research Unit. Turkeys and turkey production methods will be on display for the news media and the Rosemount community at an event sponsored by the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and the University of Minnesota. Media Day participants will be able to interview representatives of the turkey industry and University representatives, and get up-close to the flock of tom turkeys. For more information contact Sally Noll, 612-624-4928, nollx001@umn.edu. |
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Be Kind The 2005 Month of Kindness (MOK) at the U takes place November 10 through December 10. This annual campus-wide initiative is built on collaboration of people coming together across our campus to make a positive difference. MOK is organized primarily by University students. There are several fun events in which you can take part. To see what events are taking place, visit the MOK website at http://www.monthofkindness.com. |
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WinterFest is December 14
We'll be celebrating with a potluck meal—faculty, please bring a dessert item; staff, a salad or hors d'oeuvres; graduate students a vegetable (hot or cold). Retirees, we're looking forward to seeing you—so just bring yourselves! Meat and beverages will be provided by the Department. Again this year, we will be collecting non-perishable food items for donation to a local food shelf. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated. See you on December 14 at noon! |
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Don't Miss the 33rd Midwest Dairy Expo December 6 & 7 The Midwest Dairy Expo is in its 33rd year as one of the largest dairy educational events in the state. The expo, offered by the U of M Extension Service in partnership with Minnesota Milk Producers Association and the Professional Dairy Heifers Growers Association, will be held December 6 and 7, 2005 at the St. Cloud Civic Center. This two-day event features internationally-know speakers presenting the very best in dairy education and university research, a dairy producer panel on the topic of relationship building, a dairy trade show with over 100 exhibitors of dairy products, services and supplies, an industry show-case with live demonstrations, hands-on exhibits for producers, and more. Dairy producers and professionals are all welcome at this popular event. For additional information and a schedule of events, please see http://www.mnmilk.org/convention.htm. |
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Announcing U of M Dairy Days-2006 The U of M Extension Dairy Team, in partnership with Minnesota Milk Producers Association, announces U of M Dairy Days-2006 to be held at nine locations around the state in January. This annual event is an opportunity for dairy producers and dairy advisors to hear the latest research-based information from U of M educators and researchers. The program will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at all locations, with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. The dates and locations are:
The 2006 program series will feature a morning session on Labor Management and a Dairy Producer Forum. Bob Lefebvre, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, will facilitate the Dairy Producer Forum where attendees will have the opportunity to discuss important issues in the dairy industry and express their thoughts on what the industry, government and the University can do for dairy producers. In the afternoon, participants may choose to attend three of six topic presentations: Soft organic bedding surfaces that cows like Economics of feed efficiency Why reducing variations makes cent$ for you This year's speakers include U of M Extension educators Chuck Schwartau, Jim Salfer and Eric Sonnek; U of M Department of Animal Science faculty Marcia Endres, Jim Linn and Jeff Reneau; Northwest Research and Outreach Center researcher Carl Dahlen, and Minnesota Board of Animal Health representatives. For more information about the 2006 Dairy Days, visit the Dairy Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairydays06/index.htm. |
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Apply for Beautiful U Day Grant by December 2 Beautiful U Day will be held April 20, 2006, and for the first time will involve all U of M campuses. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to share their creative ideas for celebrating this annual campaign to preserve and develop the natural and historic beauty of our campuses. Beautiful U Day grants are available to departments and student groups to serve as start-up funds for event clean-up efforts, beautification projects and sustainability activities. University departments are eligible to receive up to $3,000 but must match grant dollars one for one with monies from the department, unit or other funding sources. Student groups may apply for up to $2,000 with no matching fund requirement. All grant projects must take place on or near the week of Beautiful U Day. Grant applications and additional information about Beautiful U Day are available online at http://www.uservices.umn.edu/BeautifulU/index.html. Applications are due by 4:30 pm on Friday, December 2, 2005. |
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Poultry School Coming In February The next scheduled poultry school offered by the U of M Extension Service is "Turkey School I: Health of Turkeys", February 6-8, 2006. The course is designed for turkey producers, veterinarians, flock managers and farm supervisors. Turkey School I will emphasize health care practices for commercial turkey production. Participants will learn and obtain skills relative to necropsy, sampling and disease diagnostics, important turkey diseases, cleaning and disinfection programs and biosecurity. There will be in-depth presentations as well as hands-on demonstrations. New this time is a special session dedicated to gut health. More emphasis will also be placed on avian influenza. For program and registration information, contact the Veterinary Outreach Office at 612-624-3434 or visit http://www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/, or contact Sally Noll, 612-624-4928, nollx001@umn.edu. Pre-registration is required. |
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AAAP Honors Halvorson Dr. David Halvorson, a member of the U of M Extension Service - Poultry Program Team, was recently honored by the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAVP) for his research and outreach contributions in the area of avian influenza (AI). Dr. Halvorson is the recipient of the 2005 Bruce W. Calnek Applied Poultry Research Achievement Award for his pioneering work on the control of AI, including the judicious use of AI vaccines. Through his research and extension service over the past 20+ years, Dr. Halvorson has been responsible for describing the transmission of AI viruses from wild ducks to domestic turkeys and for developing a control strategy for dealing with these low pathogenic AI viruses in turkey flocks. He has championed the use of vaccines to control low path AI in turkeys and has employed controlled marketing of convalescent turkey flocks as a means to reduce losses and help farmers recover economically from AI. This approach utilizes enhanced biosecurity and is, as many have heard him say, “a responsible response.” His concepts of AI control have been used successfully in Minnesota by the turkey industry and have gained momentum and acceptance around the world as a low cost solution to depopulation and destruction of infected flocks. For more information about Dr. Halvorson and his research, visit his web page at http://www.cvm.umn.edu/VBS/Faculty_Biographies/Halvorson.html. |
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AFIA/LFC Research Funding Available The Liquid Feed Committee of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA/LFC) is funding competitive research with grants of up to $35,000. Typical awards are $10,000 to $15,000. Grants will be awarded for research applicable to the liquid feed industry, inclusive of work focusing on the use of poured, chemically cured or cooked molasses blocks. Previous research projects funded by the AFIA/LFC may be viewed at http://www.afia.org/ under the Liquid Feed Committee heading. Research grants will be awarded on the basis of originality and conformance to the following selection criteria:
The following research areas are of particular interest:
Cooperators will be encouraged to solicit additional funding as AFIA will not pay indirect costs. Securing co-sponsorship from ingredient and equipment suppliers is encouraged. The AFIA/LFC is available for assistance in sourcing product, equipment and technology. Protocols will be reviewed for approval and funding by the research sub-committee of AFIA/LFC at its spring and fall meetings. Initial proposals indicating scope, duration and estimation of cost should be sent to: Ms Leanna Nail The application deadline is March 1, 2006. Please contact Ms. Nail for additional information. |
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Stern Speaks at AMENA Professor Marshall D. Stern gave an invited talk at the XII Biennial Congress of the Mexican Association of Specialists in Animal Nutrition (AMENA) on October 26, 2005 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (lucky him!). His presentation was titled “New Concepts in Protein Nutrition of Ruminant Animals”. |
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Beef Team Hosts Fall Beef Roundup The U of M Beef Team coordinated this year's Fall Beef Roundup in two locations this October. An evening program was held in Pine River, MN on October 17 and a day program was held in Bagley on October 18. Program speakers included Dr. Chad Zehnder from Land O'Lakes discussing mineral nutrition; U of M Extension Service Educator Dr. Ryon Walker introducing ways to extend the grazing season; Dr. Ken Learmont of Clearwater Veterinary Services and Dr. Bethany Lovaas from the North Central ROC presenting information about herd health calendars; Dr. Alfredo DiCostanzo, U of M Department of Animal Science, discussing pre- and post-weaning factors that affect carcass quality; and Dr. Linda Glaser from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. Dr. Glaser talked about anthrax and bovine tuberculosis, both issues that have greatly affected cattle producers in the northwestern part of the state. About 160 producers came to listen to the speakers, visit the trade show and enjoy a meal with fellow producers. |
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U of M Beef Team Responds to Bovine TB in NW Minnesota In an effort to inform northwestern Minnesota livestock producers of the state’s bovine TB investigation, the U of M Beef Team, MN Board of Animal Health, and MN Department of Agriculture hosted an informational meeting at the Roseau High School on October 18, 2005. State and federal officials were on hand to answer questions regarding the investigation, wildlife, indemnity, food safety and the state’s TB status. Beef Team members moderated the session. Over 150 beef producers were in attendance. A “TB Question & Answer Highlight” will profile questions and comments from the program along with a video recording of the event, which are available on the U of M Beef Industry Center website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/. |
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U of M Beef Team Contributes to MN Beef Expo The Minnesota Beef Expo is a yearly roundup for cattlemen, cattlewomen and youth throughout the Midwest gathering together with beef-specific agribusiness to celebrate and promote the beef industry. The Expo was established to help young people learn about the industry and practice showing animals. The programs for youth are aimed at education and improving animal showing skills. The four-day event brings together several breeds of cattle and over 400 youth to compete in cattle judging contests, showmanship events and an all-inclusive junior show. The U of M Beef Team coordinates all educational outreach programs at the Minnesota Beef Expo. This year, educational sessions in the area of stockmanship, herd health and animal ID were conducted. Dr. Lynn Locatelli, a nationally know veterinarian and livestock handling specialist, was one of the featured speakers. Along with educational sessions, an interactive “Kids Agland” was developed to teach youth about agriculture production in Minnesota. The U of M, under the direction of Dr. Cliff Lamb, made a special contribution to the 2005 Minnesota Beef Expo by sponsoring an Angus heifer for the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program. The purpose of this program is to aid youth in getting a start in the beef cattle business. Participants are awarded a heifer calf on the basis of merit, need, future goals and ability to care for the animal. Any youth aged 12 to 16 who is a 4-H or FFA member may enter. Program participants will own their heifer jointly with the donor until the completion of the program at which time the participant will receive full ownership of the heifer and her offspring. The 2005 Minnesota Beef Expo was held October 20-23 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. |
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The U of M North Central Research and Outreach Center (NCROC) and Guests Cattle Sale was held on Saturday, October 29th. There were 41 lots auctioned with a gross of $63,875. The average lot sold for $1,557.93, which included bred cows, bred heifers, fall and spring bulls, and calves. Many of the bred cows and heifers had received an embryo and had been fetal sexed; therefore, the buyer purchased some of the best genetics and knew the sex of the calf. Producers who buy bulls from the NCROC herd have the option of selling their offspring at the sale, providing a good marketing option for them. Thanks to all involved who helped to make the sale run smoothly! |
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78th National FFA Convention Held in October The 78th National FFA Convention was held October 24-29 in Louisville, Kentucky. Convention highlights may be found online at http://www.ffa.org/convention/index.html. Several Career Development Events (CDEs) are held each year during the convention. These events help FFA members develop technical knowledge, and judgment, reasoning and sportsmanship skills. CDEs include General Livestock Judging, Agricultural Sales, Agricultural Issues Forum, Meats, Dairy Foods, Dairy Judging, Horse Judging, Environmental Management, Soils, Crops, Public Speaking, Job Interviewing, and more. A complete list of CDEs and the results of each event are posted online at http://www.ffa.org/convention/conv_highlights_cde.html. Next year the National FFA Convention is moving to Indianapolis, Indiana. Read more about the move at http://www.ffa.org/indymove/index.htm. The dates of the 2006 convention are October 25-28. |
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Graduate Student Profile |
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Alyssa Murray Alyssa Murray was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin (sorry, Viking fans) as the youngest of three children. She has a brother and sister (ten and four years older than her, respectively). They were raised solely by their mother after their father passed away when Alyssa was five. Alyssa's dream of becoming a veterinarian began as most four year olds’ career ambitions do — the glamour and excitement enticing to a young child. Born into a family that always included dogs, cats, birds and fish, no one was surprised to hear little Alyssa state her aspirations at such a young age. However, no one realized that her interests in and dedication to the care and nurturing of her furry, feathery and scaly family members would evolve into more than just a simple love of animals. Twenty years later, Alyssa still devotes much of her life to diverse opportunities that will mold her into the most competent doctor she may possibly be. Following high school, there was no doubt in Alyssa's mind what course of academic study she would pursue in college. Wanting to continue both her athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level, Alyssa first attended Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, where she was a member of the women’s swim team while working on a biology and chemistry double major. Alyssa decided to transfer to Minnesota to become part of a well-known Animal Science Department. She completed her undergrad Science in Agriculture/ Animal Science studies under the guidance of Dr. Marshall Stern and Dr. Sally Noll. Recently, Alyssa finished the coursework for her Animal Science Masters degree and is in the process of completing her research under the supervision of Dr. Jonathon Wheaton. For her project, which she hopes to complete this semester, she is attempting to find a link between the alpha-subunit of inhibin and the production of androgens. Alyssa also works full-time as a veterinary assistant at New Hope Animal Hospital, part-time as a student assistant coach for the U women’s swim team, and is awaiting (cross your fingers for her) acceptance into veterinary school for Fall 2006. In her tremendous amounts of free time, Alyssa likes to shop, watch movies, read books, do outdoorsy things, eat out, shop, play with her kitties and bird, spend time with her family, friends and boyfriend, watch the Packers, and shop! |
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Congratulations! |
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Former Animal Science graduate student Matt Chrystal was married to Linda Hanson in their South Bend, Indiana home on September 30, 2005. Mark Lostetter, Animal Science farm animal attendant, celebrated his 26th anniversary of working at the U of M on October 28, 2005. Guowu Xu passed his written PhD prelim exam on October 27, 2005. Dr. Jerry Shurson is his advisor. |
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Recent Grants |
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no new grants |
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Animal Science Seminars |
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Department of Animal Science seminars are held September through May on Mondays at 3:00 p.m. in Room 365 Haecker Hall. Everyone is welcome. Please join us. Nov 14 - Diane Moody Spurlock, Assistant Professor, Iowa State University - Metabolic stress in dairy cattle: What do we know and what can we learn?" Nov 21 - Ken Rost - The use of model simulation and canola meal in turkey diets Nov 28: Greg Golombeski - Slow-release urea and highly fermentable sugars in diets fed to lactating dairy cows / Mary Raeth-Knight - Topic TBA Dec 5 - Francisco Diaz-Gonzales - Use of probiotic bacteria to control Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle Dec 12: Karl Clark - DNA transposons and recombinases: Application in swine Jan 23: Asia Lukas - Topic TBA Jan 30: Jessica Wakker - Topic TBA / Melissa Thrune - Feline obesity and protein diets fed ad lib Feb 6: Dan Carlson / Guowu Xu - Topics TBA Feb 13: Cargill Guest Speaker - Dairy Topic Feb 20: Abby Barberg - Topic TBA / Lalita Shrestha - Role of inhibin in reproductive endocrinology Feb 27: Mathur Kannan, Professor, Veterinary Biosciences, U of M - CD38 and airway function |
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Calendar of Events |
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November 2005 5-18 - North American International Livestock Expo, Louisville, KY. For more information, visit: http://www.livestockexpo.org/. 24 & 25 - The U is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. 30 - SE Minnesota Forage Day, location TBA. Contact: Lisa Behnken or Paul Peterson. December 2005 1 - Central Minnesota Forage Day, location TBA. Contact: Dan Martens or Paul Peterson. 1 & 2 - Artificial Insemination (Swine), Southern ROC, Waseca, MN. For more information, contact Mark Whitney at 507-389-5541. To register for the workshop, please contact the Minnesota Pork Board at 507-345-8814. 5 - 2005 MN Cattle Feeder Days, Pennington County Courthouse, Thief River Falls, MN, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Additional details may be found at http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/components/CattleFeederDays05.htm. 6 - 2005 MN Cattle Feeder Days, West Central ROC, Morris, MN, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Additional details may be found at http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/components/CattleFeederDays05.htm. 6 - NW Minnesota Forage Day, location TBA. Contact: Doug Holen or Paul Peterson. 6 & 7 - Midwest Dairy Expo, St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud, MN. For more information, visit http://www.mnmilk.org/convention.htm or contact Minnesota Milk Producers Association at mmpa@mnmilk.org. 7 - Minnesota Dairy Leaders Roundtable Steering Committee Meeting (open to Roundtable members) in conjunction with the Midwest Dairy Expo, St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud, MN Contact: Ed Frederick 507-835-3422. 7 - 2005 MN Cattle Feeder Days, The Royal Loon, Slayton, MN, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Additional details may be found at http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/components/CattleFeederDays05.htm. 8 - 2005 MN Cattle Feeder Days, American Legion, Springfield, MN, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Additional details may be found at http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/components/CattleFeederDays05.htm. 8 - 2005 MN Cattle Feeder Days, Digger's Bar and Grill, Kasson, MN, 6:00-9:30 p.m. Additional details may be found at http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/components/CattleFeederDays05.htm. 15 - Winter Agricultural Invitational (Events: small animals, agribusiness sales, extemporaneous speaking, public speaking, creed speaking, job interview, farm management, parliamentary procedure, floriculture, nursery landscape), U of M, St. Paul Campus. Contact: Doug Hanson, 320-212-6525 or 612-624-4245. 15-16 - Department of Animal Science Faculty Retreat, Coffman Union, U of M Mpls Campus (9 am-5 pm on the 15th; 9 am-noon on the 16th). Contact: Dana Souther 612-624-7453. 21 - End of Fall semester. 23 - is closed (floating holiday) 26 - The U is closed (Christmas Day observed) January 2006 2 - The U is closed (New Year's Day observed) 6 - U of M Dairy Days-2006, VFW, Hutchinson, MN. For additional details, please check the Dairy Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairydays06/index.htm. 10 - U of M Dairy Days-2006, McIntosh Community Center, McIntosh, MN. For additional details, please check the Dairy Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairydays06/index.htm. 11 - U of M Dairy Days-2006, Ottertail Community Center, Ottertail, MN. For additional details, please check the Dairy Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairydays06/index.htm. 12 - U of M Dairy Days-2006, Jerard's, Sauk Centre, MN. For additional details, please check the Dairy Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairydays06/index.htm. 13 - U of M Dairy Days-2006, American Legion, Royalton, MN. For additional details, please check the Dairy Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairydays06/index.htm. 17 - U of M Dairy Days-2006, Pizza Ranch, Edgerton, MN. For additional details, please check the Dairy Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairydays06/index.htm. 18 - U of M Dairy Days-2006, Holiday Inn, New Ulm, MN. For additional details, please check the Dairy Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairydays06/index.htm. 19 - U of M Dairy Days-2006, American Legion, Eyota, MN. For additional details, please check the Dairy Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairydays06/index.htm. 20 - U of M Dairy Days-2006, Grandpa's Garage, Cannon Falls, MN. For additional details, please check the Dairy Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairydays06/index.htm. 26-27 - Midwest Dairy Challenge, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD. 31 - 1st Annual I-29 Dairy Conference, Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Sioux Falls, SD. For more information, call SDSU at 605-688-4116. |
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©2005 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. |
All Animal Science faculty, staff, students and retirees are invited to WinterFest. Our seasonal get-together will be held at noon on Wednesday, December 14th, in Room 365 Haecker Hall. 
U of M NCROC Hosts 2nd Annual Cattle Sale