AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science

April 2007

   Notes from the Department Head | News & Announcements | Graduate Student Profile | Congratulations
Recent Grants | Animal Science Seminars | Calendar of Events | External Employment Opportunities

Notes from the Department Head is expected to return next month.

Attentive Crowd Attends W. E. Petersen Symposium on Crossbreeding in Dairy Cattle

The 4th Biennial W. E. Petersen Symposium was held on April 2 at the Continuing Education and Conference Center on the U of M St. Paul Campus. The symposium was open to the public, and the number of attendees surpassed 125, including students, faculty, veterinarians, representatives from A.I. organizations, professional dairy consultants, and dairy producers.

"Crossbreeding of Dairy Cattle: The Science and the Impact" was the title of the symposium, and the scientific speakers came from Virginia, Washington, D.C., Minnesota, and Denmark. However, based on audience attention and reaction, the presentation of dairy producer Kevin Prins from California, as well as the panel discussion of Minnesota dairy producers (Dana Allen, Joe Becker, and Joe Molitor) were especially well-received. Both the science and impact of crossbreeding of dairy cattle were thoroughly reviewed and discussed.

On the following morning, an invitation-only think-tank session was held, which included all speakers from the symposium, faculty and graduate students from the dairy groups at the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as Editors from the three leading dairy magazines in the U.S. — Hoard's Dairyman, Dairy Today, and Dairy Herd Management.

The support of the family of Professor W. E. Petersen, a highly influential dairy scientist at the U of M in the mid-1950s permits the Department of Animal Science to hold these educationally valuable symposia biennially.
  

National Compost Dairy Barn Conference Set for June 21-22

The National Compost Dairy Barn Conference and Tour is for anyone interested in current research and producer experiences with this alternative housing system for dairy cows. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn in Burnsville, MN, and will include an optional tour of three compost dairy barns and an A to Z conference.

Topics at the conference include composting dynamics, bedding material options, layout and design of compost barns, pack management, cow comfort and performance, economics, use of finished compost, and more. The program will also include a producer panel with three compost barn producers.

The tour will take place on Thursday, June 21st, leaving the hotel at 8:30 a.m. and returning at approximately 6:00 p.m. Then on Friday, June 22nd, conference registration will open at 7:30 a.m., and the program will get under way at 8:30 a.m. and adjourn at 4:45 p.m.

The cost of the conference is $90 and includes lunch and proceedings. The tour is an additional $40. Only those who are registered for the conference may participate in the tour. Pre-registration is required by June 4th. There may be some limited space available on the day of the program (June 22); the cost at the door will be $130.

For more information, including details about the tour farms, conference agenda, program speakers and registration information, visit http://www.ansci.umn.edu/compostbarnconf.htm.
  

4-State Dairy Conference to Include Post-conference Workshops

In addition to a pre-conference technical symposium on energy balance in dairy cattle, presentations by renowned university researchers on current topics in dairy nutrition and management, several breakout session options, an evening river boat reception and seminar on encapsulated choline, and a breakfast seminar on laboratory measurements of forage quality, the 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference will include five post-conference workshops on the topics of: Dairy Ration Formulation, Feed Management, Evaluation Bunkers and Bags, Investigation of Milk Quality Problems, and DAIRY TRANS Financial Analysis.

The 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference will be held at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa, on June 13 and 14, 2007. The cost of the Conference, which includes registration, conference proceedings, and specified meals and breaks, is $125.00 if registered before June 1 and $150.00 if registered after June 1 or at the door. The post-conference workshop is an additional $50.00 and includes a box lunch.

Additional information about the conference and the post-conference workshops is detailed in the brochure.

The 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference is sponsored by Iowa State University Extension, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension, and University of Wisconsin Extension.
  

Students and Faculty Triumphant at Midwest ASAS/ADSA

Several Animal Science faculty, students and alumni received recognition at the Midwest Meeting of the American Association of Animal Science (ASAS) and the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) held March 19-21, 2007, in Des Moines, IA.

Guowu Xu and Dr. Jerry Shurson received one of two National Pork Board Research Innovation Awards for the abstract entitled "Effects of feeding corn-soybean meal diets containing 10% corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on pork fat quality of growing-finishing pigs under commercial production conditions".  Authors: G. Xu and G.C. Shurson (U of M); E. Hubly, B. Miller, and B. de Rodas, (Land O'Lakes/Purina Feed).

Pedro Urriola, who completed his M.S. in October 2006, was awarded 1st place in the M.S. Oral Division of the Graduate Student Competitive Research Papers by presenting his abstract entitled "Prediction of in vivo amino acid digestibility in dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) from crude protein, optical density, and fluorescence".  Authors: P.E. Urriola (U of M); D. Hoehler (Degussa Corporation); C. Pedersen (Danisco Animal Nutrition); H.H. Stein (U of IL); L.J. Johnston and G.C. Shurson (U of M).

Nicolas Di Lorenzo was awarded 1st place in the Ph.D. Poster Division of the Graduate Student Competitive Research Papers by presenting his abstract entitled "Effects of feeding a polyclonal antibody preparation against selected rumen bacteria on rumen pH of lactating dairy cows". Authors: N. Di Lorenzo, C.R. Dahlen, J.E. Larson, R.K. Gill, and A. DiCostanzo (U of M).

Mariana Carriquiry, who completed her Ph.D. in September 2006, was an Invited Young Scholar who presented a paper entitled "Dietary fat and bovine somatotropin (bST) for Holstein cows: Responses in early lactation". Authors: M. Carriquiry, W.J. Weber, and B.A. Crooker (U of M).

U of M graduate students who participated in the Graduate Student Competitive Research Papers were:

J.L. Voge (M.S. Oral Division of the Graduate Student Competitive Research Papers) - "Effects of immunization against two inhibin antigens on hormone concentrations and daily sperm production (DSP) in ram lambs". Authors: J.L. Voge and J.E. Wheaton (U of M).

G. Xu (Ph.D. Oral Division of the Graduate Student Competitive Research Papers) - "Effects of adding increasing levels of corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) to corn-soybean meal diets on growth performance and pork quality of growing-finishing pigs". Authors: G. Xu, S.K. Baidoo, L.J. Johnston (U of M); J.E. Cannon (Hormel Foods); G.C. Shurson (U of M).

In addition, Dr. Cliff Lamb, North Central ROC, received the Outstanding Extension Specialist Award; Dr. Hugh Chester-Jones, Southern ROC, was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the ADSA Midwest Branch Board of Directors; and the U of M Undergraduate Academic Quadrathlon team (Evan Dee, Colby Lind, Evan Van Beusekom and Amber Hazel) placed 2nd in the Lab Practicum portion of the AQ contest. Dr. Tony Seykora serves as the team's advisor.
  

U of M Team Brings Home a Dairy Challenge Platinum Award!

The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge took place March 30 and 31, 2007, in Sioux Falls, SD. The event was co-hosted by Iowa State University and South Dakota State University, and supported financially by agribusiness sponsors. The Dairy Challenge is an innovative two-day competition for students representing dairy science programs at North American universities. It enables students to apply theory and learning to a real-world dairy while working as part of a four-person team.

Minnesota Competes at the National Collegiate Poultry Judging Contest in Baton Rouge, LA

Four U of M students participated in the National Collegiate Poultry Judging Contest sponsored by the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. The contest is held yearly on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, LA. This is only the second year that the U of M has had a team compete in the contest. 

The poultry judging contest consists of three parts – Production Judging, Breed Selection and Market Products judging. In the Production Judging division, the students are required to evaluate three classes of past production hens and two rings of ready-to-lay pullets. The five birds in each of the three past production class are evaluated and placed in order of their estimated past egg production. Bleaching of the pigment in the originally yellow skin is used as an indicator of the level of egg production of a hen. The five birds in the pullet class are placed in order of their estimated future production. Factors considered in placing these two rings are vigor, size and skeletal development, sexual maturity, body conformation, handling qualities, and pigmentation. In the Breed Selection division, the students are required to evaluate classes of meat-type breeding females and males at 8 and 20 weeks of age for their potential as future broiler breeders. They look at meat conformation and freedom from defects. In a fifth class in this division, the students evaluate a ring of 10 birds of different breeds, examining the birds for the presence of disqualifications and breed characteristics that might disqualify them according to the American Standard of Perfection. In the Market Products division, the students grade classes of eggs for exterior quality, interior quality, and broken out quality. They also evaluate a class of ready-to-cook carcasses.

Team members included Andrew Harvey, a Geography major from Blaine, MN; Malia Landon, an Animal Science major from Rapid City, MN; Bridget Melland, an Animal Science major from Coon Rapids, MN; and Kim Williams, a History major from Sioux Falls, SD who is graduating this May. The team was coached by Dr. Jacquie Jacob, with assistance from Blake Van Denburgh, an Animal Science major graduating this May. Although we didn’t win any awards, the students did well, learned a lot, and met other students from around the country.

CFANS Undergrads Participate in Symposium

The 2007 Undergraduate Symposium "Celebrating Student Creativity, Performance, Public Engagement, Research, and Scholarship" is taking place at Coffman Memorial Union (Minneapolis Campus) on April 18th. The Student Plenary Presentations will run from 1:00-2:00 p.m. in the Theater and the Student Poster Presentations will run from 2:00-6:00 p.m. in Great Hall.

Below is a list of CFANS students presenting posters at the symposium:

*Luke's abstract was published, but he was unable to attend.

For more information about the 2007 Undergraduate Symposium, see: http://www.lib.umn.edu/undergrad/symposium/index.phtml
  

PSA Foundation to Raffle Off Quilt

The Poultry Science Association (PSA) Foundation is having a raffle as a fund-raiser activity and is asking the various Universities around the country to sell tickets. Dr. Jacquie Jacob is coordinating the sale at the U of M. The PSA Foundation, Inc., is a charitable corporation affiliated with the Poultry Science Association, which is a global scientific society dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge generated by poultry research – knowledge that enhances human and animal health and well-being, and provides for the ethical, sustainable production of food.

The general goals of the Foundation are to 1) develop financial support for unique educational opportunities for students, both undergraduate and graduate, such as scholarships and fellowships; 2) develop financial support for enhancing targeted faculty initiatives specifically benefiting the industry and the PSA; 3) develop financial support for special needs activities of the PSA, such as symposia and conferences; 4) provide financial support for lectureships in addressing specific concerns/issues of importance to the global community; and 5) other specific needs as identified by the governing body or the donors.

The prize for the raffle is a beautiful chicken-themed quilt. The 'Chanticleer and Friends' quilt was made by Marion Moore and won Best of Show at the Hall Country Guild, October 26, 2006.

The raffle tickets are $5 each, or five for $20. Only 2,000 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held at the PSA Banquet on July 11, 2007, but you need not be present to win. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please contact Dr. Jacquie Jacob (email: jacob150@umn.edu or phone: 612-624-2766).
  

U of M Poultry Extension Faculty Contribute to MPF Convention

The Midwest Poultry Federation (MPF) Convention was held March 13-15 at St. Paul RiverCentre. The convention is a combination of a trade show and a large educational program that attracts attendees from all over the U.S., Canada and other countries. There are 12 different workshops offered during the meeting. Dr. Jacquie Jacob was program chair for the Organic Session and Dr. Sally Noll was program chair for the Turkey Growing Session. Dr. Noll also presented her work on beak trimming in turkeys titled “Feeding Behavior of Turkeys as Influenced by Beak Trim and Feed Form”.

Just prior to the MPF, the 58th North Central Avian Disease Conference was held. Reports on “Avian Pneumovirus Vaccine Evaluation” and “Lessons Learned on Avian Influenza Control and Prevention” were presented by Sally Noll and David Halvorson, respectively.
  

Poultry Science Club Raffles Off Egg

The Gopher Poultry Science Club held a fund-raiser at the Midwest Poultry Federation (MPF) Convention (March 13-15) to support the U of M Poultry Judging Team. The fund-raiser included a raffle with the prize being a replica of the decorated egg that the Broiler and Egg Association of Minnesota (BEAM) donated to the 2007 Easter Egg Collection at the White House (in Washington, D.C.). The replica egg for the raffle was donated by BEAM and won by Fred Hetzel from North Carolina.

The club raised $400 to be used toward travel expenses for the Poultry Judging Team. The team recently traveled to Baton Rouge, LA, for the National Poultry Judging Contest.
  

Interest in Distillers Grains Products for Livestock and Poultry Continues to Grow

This past winter, U of M Animal Scientists, Sally Noll and Jerry Shurson, were busy getting the message out on how best to utilize DDGS in livestock and poultry diets. The rapid expansion of the ethanol industry and rising corn prices have been hot topics in recent months and Drs. Noll and Shurson were in high demand to share their recent research results at a number of conferences across North America. Here are some of the conferences where they presented:

Poultry related presentations:

• Using corn DDGS in turkey rations - Illinois Turkey Growers Seminar, Peoria, IL (2/15/07)
• Using corn distillers by-products in turkey rations - Michigan Poultry Day, Zeeland, MI (3/6/07)
• Formulating poultry diets with DDGS – How far can we go? - Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference, Baltimore, MD (3/29/07)
  

Swine-related presentations:

• The benefits and limitations of using DDGS in swine diets - National Pork Board Extension Educators Conference, Kansas City, MO (1/3/07)
• Effects of feeding DDGS to grow-finish pigs on growth performance, carcass quality, and pork quality - Minnesota Pork Congress, Minneapolis, MN (1/17/07)
• The benefits and limitations of using DDGS in swine diets - Iowa Pork Congress, Des Moines, IA (1/25/07)
• The ethanol industry, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and their impact on the pork industry - Manitoba Swine Seminar, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (2/1/07)
• Feeding DDGS to pigs - Ohio Pork Congress, Columbus, OH (2/7/07)
• Using distiller's grains in livestock and poultry feeds - Missouri Corn Grower's Annual Meeting, Jefferson City, MO (2/14/07)
• The key to what sells distiller's grains - 6th Annual Strategic Animal Ag Conference, Willmar, MN (2/23/07)
• Feeding DDGS to livestock and poultry - Ontario Agriculture Ministries Distillers Grains Workshop, Brockville, Ontario, Canada (3/30/07
  

Get the latest information on distillers grains by-products in livestock and poultry feeds on the U of M DDGS web site at http://www.ddgs.umn.edu/.
  

New CFANS Faculty Expertise Database

A new Faculty Expertise Database has recently been posted on the CFANS web site. Go to http://www.cfans.umn.edu/ResearchOutreach/Research/index.htm and click on the link labeled "Faculty Expertise Search" on the right-hand side of the page.

The database has multiple search capabilities:

• Keyword(s)
• Faculty name
• Department
• Topic area
• Combination of the above

On the right-hand side of the search page, there is a link to a form for those who might have trouble using the site, have suggestions for improvement, or need faculty profile information updated.
  

New Sustainability Studies Minor

Are you concerned about global warming, population growth, endangered species, water and air pollution, energy consumption, urban sprawl, and other sustainability issues facing the world today? If you are looking for an experience that will provide an insightful journey towards defining sustainability, the new Sustainability Studies minor is for you.

The new minor offers undergraduates from across the University the opportunity to explore issues of sustainability, addressing real-world problems and issues from the perspective of a wide variety of academic disciplines.

Sustainability Studies is offered through the Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Initiative (ESSI). Initiated in 2004 with the generous support of the Archibald Bush Foundation, ESSI is a collaborative effort of faculty from colleges and departments across the Twin Cities campus to develop and implement sustainability programs in undergraduate education, interdisciplinary research, and outreach to teachers and journalists.

Act now to enroll! Advisors are ready to assist you in mapping out a personalized Sustainability Studies program. To set up an advising meeting, send an email to penn0107@umn.edu.

Additional information about the new minor may be found on the web at http://www.sustainability.umn.edu/minor/index.html.
  

C. Eugene (Gene) Allen Retires After 40 Years

C. Eugene (Gene) Allen is retiring after 40 years of distinguished service to the U of M. Gene has served as a faculty member in the Departments of Animal Science and Food Science and Nutrition since 1967. His administrative leadership roles included Dean of the College of Agriculture (1984-88), Vice President of the Institute of Agriculture, Forestry, and Home Economics (1988-95), Director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station (1988-97), Provost for Professional Studies (1995-97), and Executive Director and Associate Vice President for International Programs (1998-2006).

Gene is the recipient of three teaching awards, two national research awards, and numerous state and national service awards. His work has taken him to 22 countries, and he has led agricultural, international, academic, outreach and interdisciplinary programs during periods of retrenchment, growth and increasing globalization. He is a scholar, teacher, mentor, leader, and administrator extraordinaire.

To honor Gene for his dedication, leadership and the many accomplishments and contributions he has made throughout his career, a retirement celebration is being held on May 17, 2007, 3:30-6:00 p.m., at Memorial Hall, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis.

For more information about the reception or to RSVP, send an email to schla025@umn.edu. Letters of reminiscence or tribute to Gene, which will be shared with guests at the reception and presented to Gene as a gift and remembrance, may be sent c/o Susan Miranda, Office of the Senior Vice President for System Academic Administration, U of M, 110 Morrill Hall, 100 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, or via email to schla025@umn.edu.

The reception is being co-sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President for System Academic Administration; Office of International Programs; College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; University of Minnesota Extension; Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station; and Office of the President.
  

Postage Rates Are Changing — Again!

To cover rising operational costs and respond to changes in the marketplace, the U.S. Postal Service gained approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission to adjust postage rates. When the changes go into effect on May 14, 2007, the rate of almost every class of mail will increase.

The cost of a 1-ounce First-Class letter will increase by 2 cents (from 39 cents to 41 cents). However, each additional ounce will cost only 17 cents (a 7-cent decrease). Postcards will increase from 24 cents to 26 cents. One-ounce parcels will increase from 52 cents to $1.13 with each additional ounce costing 17 cents.  

In the past, many rates were based on the weight of the mail piece. In addition to weight, the new rate structure will place greater emphasis on size and shape (see: Shape Based pricing ).

Charts showing all the new rates and fees are posted on the U.S. Postal Service web site.
  

Students to Beautify St. Paul Campus Gateway
Source: Becky Beyers, Media Relations Manager, CFANS

The University of Minnesota will break ground for a project to improve the gateway to the St. Paul Campus at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18. The project is part of the Beautiful U initiative and will add landscaping and plantings to the southeast corner of Larpenteur and Cleveland Avenues.

Students in the landscape design program in the University’s Department of Horticultural Science developed a plan as a class project and will work with students from the Cornercopia Student Organic Farm to implement the design.
  

Pork Packs Available Through End of Semester

Block & Bridle will continue to sell 'Pork Packs' through the end of spring semester. Sold as a fund-raiser for the club, Pork Packs contain about 30 lbs of pork of various cuts for $2.25/lb (about $67.50 for all the cuts listed below).

• Spareribs or Country-style ribs
• 1 lb Ground pork
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 lb Cutlets
• 2.5 lbs Breakfast sausage
• 10 Pork chops (1-1.5 inches thick)
• Sirloin roast
• 2 Blade steaks
• 2 lbs of meatloaf

For additional information, contact Evan Dee (Tel: 651-210-4812).
  

Awards Ceremony to Honor Distinguished Teachers

The Annual Distinguished Teaching Awards ceremony will be held on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. in the McNamara Alumni Center's Memorial Hall. All members of the University community are invited to this special ceremony and reception to honor 12 distinguished teachers for their contributions to undergraduate, graduate, and professional education.

Award recipients are inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers, in recognition of the significance of their teaching excellence. Recipients join their Academy colleagues from all four campuses to provide important leadership to the University community, serving as mentors, advisers, and spokespersons for the University's teaching mission.

To register for this event, go to www.alumni.umn.edu/distinguishedteaching or call 612-625-9174.
  

MnFRAC Seeks Mentors

The Minnesota Foundation for Responsible Animal Care (MnFRAC) is seeking ten college age individuals to serve as State Fair Animal Agriculture Peer Mentors — specifically, students who would be good role models and would be able to serve as mentors in the areas of beef, dairy, sheep, swine, goats, poultry or rabbits.

Mentors would work one-on-one with 4-H members during the 4-H Livestock Weekend at the Minnesota State Fair, August 22-26. Additionally, one training day in July or August, 4-6 hours of materials review, and a debriefing session with MnFRAC and 4-H after the Fair would be required. A $300 stipend and Fair entry tickets will be provided.

The deadline for applications is June 15. Questions may be directed to MnFRAC, P.O. Box 396, St. Francis, MN 55070 (Tel: 763-213-8444; Email: AgriFolks@gmail.com. MnFRAC's mission is detailed on their web site: http://www.mnfrac.org/index.html.
  

Sustainable Food Systems of Italy Filled

Dr. Mike White, Faculty Leader for the Learning Abroad Global Seminar entitled "Sustainable Food Systems of Italy" (AnSc 4099), reports that the course has filled up and has a waiting list. Many of the 25 students enrolled are from CFANS. The class has already met and turned in their first pre-departure assignment in preparation for their 3-week stay in Florence, Italy, this May-term.

The course will include excursions to regions where students will learn about and write reports on dairies and cheese production, ham production, and local beef production (Chianina beef), as well as olive oil production and balsamic vinegar production.

For information about Study Abroad Programs, visit the Learning Abroad Center web site at http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/programs/index.html. 
  

Celebrating U Women

All faculty and staff are inviting to attend the "Celebrating University Women" Awards Program in McNamara Memorial Hall on April 25th, 2:30-4:30 p.m. This event features a dessert reception and opening remarks by Vice President and Vice Provost Rusty Barcelo, followed by presentation of the Distinguished Women Scholar Awards, the Mullen, Spector, Truax Women's Leadership Award, the Civil Service and Bargaining Unit Awards, and the Sharon Doherty Women Student Leadership Award.

For program details, please visit http://www1.umn.edu/women/events.html . RSVP to: women@umn.edu or call 612-625-9837. 
  

Symposium in Honor of G. Edward Schuh

The U of M is hosting a symposium to honor the lifetime contributions of Regents Professor Emeritus G. Edward Schuh. Ed served on the faculty for more than 25 years and in such public sector roles as member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors and Undersecretary of Agriculture. He also was head of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, and dean of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

"Toward a Global Food and Agricultural Policy for an Open International Economy" will be held on May 2 and 3, 2007, at Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center, Minneapolis.

The symposium will address issues involved in further integrating the world’s food and agricultural sector. The sugar beet farms of the Red River Valley and the wheat fields of southern Minnesota compete on a world stage, and our state has an important role to play in producing products for the global market. At the federal level, these issues also are critical to the upcoming discussions of the 2007 farm bill, the possibility of completing the DOHA round of trade negotiations, and the renewal of the President’s ability to negotiate further trade agreements. Several of the symposium speakers are former students or close associates of Ed’s who have addressed these issues. Also, several speakers are coming from Brazil, which will add valuable perspective to the conversation.

Registration and details about the symposium, can be found at http://www.hhh.umn.edu/schuh_symposium.
  

International Composting Awareness Week
Source: U.S. Composting Council, Holbrook, NY

The largest environmental education event for composting, International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), is planned for May 6-12, 2007. Celebrated across the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Europe, advocates are encouraging everyone to Compost! This year's national poster theme is "The Possibilities Are Endless - Compost!". All types of composting from backyard to large-scale, community-wide composting are promoted during this week.

Compost Awareness Week (est. 1999) is a fun and educational week of events that offers an opportunity to learn more about the many benefits of composting while enjoying interactive activities. To bring positive attention to the possibilities that composting can provide to communities, ICAW was designed to rally composting advocates and build awareness in their communities. Compost discussions, State ICAW proclamations, promotions with local dealers and landscape supply stores, informal lectures by well-known gardening experts, backyard composting bin promotions and urban gardening programs are just some of the many events that are held. To find out what's going on in your area, or to learn how to showcase your own efforts in composting, visit the U.S. Composting Council (WSCC) web site.

For the past five years, Compost Awareness Week has grown in both strength and numbers through its sponsors and compost advocates. Compost Awareness Week serves the important role of bringing the Compost! message to the attention of the public, businesses and other groups. Communities and government agencies, as well as members of the composting industry, utilize the week to promote their specific Compost! messages and programs.

The USCC is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the development and expansion of the composting industry in the U.S. The USCC also directs the Composting Council Research and Education Foundation (CCREF), a charitable foundation that administers public and private research and education activities.

Questions about International Compost Awareness Week may be directed to Teri Sorg-McManamon, Co-Chair, ICAW Committee, USCC (Tel: 610-967-4135, ext.33; Email: advert@jgpress.com).

For sponsorship information and questions about the USCC, contact Stuart Buckner, Executive Director (Tel: 631-737-4931; Email: buckstop@vdot.net).
  

Guilherme H. L. Marquezini

Guilherme H. L. Marquezini grew up in Vilhena, State of Rondonia in the North Region of Brazil. In 1997, Guilherme moved to Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, where he finished high school. The following year he moved to Campinas to attend Veterinary School. In 2000, Guilherme started Veterinary School at Universidade Julio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP) in Botucatu Sao Paulo State. During his second year there, he started to participate intensively in a Junior Company called CONAPEC Jr. Students from Vet School, Animal Science (Zootecnia) and Agronomy are members of CONAPEC. CONAPEC provides assistance to beef and milk producers for several regions in Brazil. The Company is supervised by Guilherme’s adviser, Jose L M. Vasconcelos.

Guilherme also worked as a Director of Marketing for CONAPEC and then became President the following year. In the last year of Veterinary School, he applied for internship at University of Minnesota and at the University of Florida advised by Dr. Cliff Lamb and Dr. John Arthington, respectively. Upon completing his internship, Guilherme worked to continue his education at the University of Minnesota.

Currently, Guilherme is as a graduate student pursuing a Masters degree in Reproduction Physiology under Dr. Cliff Lamb. When Guilherme is not busy studying, he likes to go out to bars with friends and have fun.
    

Darren Standorf and wife Lynn, were blessed with the birth of their first child, Colton Robert on January 5, 2007. Darren is a former Animal Science student (BS, 1997; MS 2000) who is currently an Operations Supervisor with Novartis Medical Nutrition - soon to be Nestle Healthcare Nutrition.

MS graduate Jessica Wakker has accepted a job as a Dairy Nutrition Specialist for Crystal Creek, Inc., based in Spooner, Wisconsin. Her new position began on April 16, 2007.
  

PI: Byung-Whi Kong, University of Arkansas; Co-PI: Dr. Douglas Foster, University of Minnesota. Title: Development of an immortalized chicken cell substrate for infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) propagation for vaccine production. Agency: U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. Total amount awarded: $110,000. Funding period 7/1/07 – 6/30/09.
  

- April 2007 -

2 - 4th Biennial W. E. Petersen Symposium "Crossbreeding of Dairy Cattle: The Science and the Impact", Continuing Education and Conference Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Dana Souther, 612-624-4753.

15 - Block and Bridle Club Swine Sale, Livestock Arena, U of M St. Paul Campus.

18 - 2007 Undergraduate Symposium "Celebrating Student Creativity, Performance, Public Engagement, Research, and Scholarship", Coffman Memorial Union, U of M Minneapolis Campus.

19-20 - Farrowing Management Workshop, Southern ROC, Waseca. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

- May 2007 -

1- CFANS Solution-Driven Science Symposium: Biofuels: Economic Prospects and Environmental Implications (1:00-3:30 p.m.), 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus.

2-3 - Symposium to Honor of G. Edward Schuh: Toward a Global Food and Agricultural Policy for an Open International Economy, Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center, Minneapolis.

12- End of Spring Semester (Twin Cities Campus).

15-17- Ag Awareness, Livestock Pavilion. Contact Melissa Thrune for more information.

15-17- Minnesota Dairy Health Conference, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Veterinary Continuing Education, 1-800-380-8636 or 612-624-3434.

17- Retirement Reception in Honor of C. Eugene Allen (3:30-6:00 p.m.), Memorial Hall, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis. RSVP to: schla025@umn.edu.

21- May Session begins (Twin Cities Campus).

28- Memorial Day holiday (U of M is closed)

- June 2007 -

7-9- Gopher Dairy Camp, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Brad Heins, 612-625-9294.

11 - Summer Session begins (Twin Cities Campus).

13-14- 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference and Post-conference Workshops, Grand River Center, Dubuque, IA. Registration information: Wisconsin Agri-Service Association, 608-223-1111.

21-22- National Compost Dairy Barn Conference, Holiday Inn, Burnsville, MN. Program brochure. On-line registration (credit card only). Program information: Marcia Endres 612-624-5391; Registration information: Bonnie Rae 612-624-4995.

- July 2007 -

4 - Independence Day holiday ( U of M is closed).

26-27 - Swine Breeding and Gestation Management Workshop, Southern ROC, Waseca. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

- December 2007 -

4-5 - Midwest Dairy Expo, St. Cloud Civic Center. Contact: Eir Garcia-Silva, MMPA, 320-203- 8336, or Jim Salfer, U of M Extension Service, 320-203-6093.

13-14 - Artificial Insemination in Swine Training Course, Southern ROC, Waseca. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541. (Note date change)

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