AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science

April 2009

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

Happy Spring!
 

MTGA Presents Ranelius Award to El Halawani

Dr. Mohamed El Halawani was the 2009 recipient of the Ranelius Award, the most prestigious honor given by the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA). It signifies leadership and dedication to the industry based on contributions made to enhance Minnesota's turkey industry.

Dr. El Halawani received the award at the MTGA Annual Meeting during the Midwest Poultry Convention held March 16-18, 2009. The award recognizes Dr. El Halawani’s research career in the study of avian reproductive neuroendocrinology, specifically low egg production in turkeys and effects of photorefractoriness on egg production. One result of his research was the discovery of the role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in releasing prolactin from the pituitary gland, which in turn led him to the development of a vaccine against VIP. The immunization of hens against VIP increases egg production.

Steve Olson, MTGA Executive Director, presented Dr. El Halawani with a plaque inscribed as follows: "Ranelius Award presented to Dr. Mohamed El Halawani In Recognition of Your Outstanding Contributions, Dedicated Leadership and Service to the Industry; Minnesota Turkey Growers Association 2009”.

Above (L-R): Drs. Abel Ponce de Leon, Mohamed El Halawani and Jim Linn.
 

Three Animal Science Faculty Receive CFANS Awards

Dr. Tony Seykora was the 2008-2009 recipient of the CFANS Alumni Society Distinguished Faculty Award. The CFANS Alumni Society awards recognize student, alumni, faculty and staff leaders for their accomplishments and contributions to CFANS and the Alumni Society.

Dr. Mike White was named the CFANS 2009 Outstanding Professor by the CFANS Student Board after an open nomination was made to all current enrolled students.

Dr. Les Hansen was named Club Advisor of the Year by the CFANS Student Board for his involvement with the Gopher Dairy Club.

Drs. Seykora, White and Hansen were honored by CFANS at the 3rd Annual Borealis Night of Excellence held in the Cargill Building on April 9th.
 

Lobeck Named Hueg-Harrison Fellow

Karen Lobeck was recently selected to receive the prestigious Hueg-Harrison Graduate Fellowship Award for the 2009-2010 academic year. This very competitive award recognizes the student/mentor relationship that evolves during the pursuit of a graduate degree in production/applied agriculture. Karen’s advisor/mentor is Dr. Marcia Endres.

As a Hueg-Harrison Fellow, Karen will be awarded $22,000 in the form of an academic year non-service stipend.
  

Achen Is a Distinguished Junior Member Semifinalist

Jessica Achen, former President of the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association and a junior in Animal Science at the U of M, was one of twelve semifinalists in the Holstein Association USA’s Distinguished Junior Member competition. The Distinguished Junior Member program recognizes the country’s top youth, ages 17 to 21, who are involved with registered Holsteins. It is the highest honor that can be given to a Holstein Junior member.

Contestants are judged on an entry book focusing on their Junior Holstein project work and involvement with activities, both in the Holstein and dairy industries as well as their schools and communities.

Jessica, and the other 11 semifinalists, will interview at the National Junior Holstein Convention, June 27-30, in Sacramento, CA. From the group, six finalists will be chosen and will receive annual renewed memberships to Holstein Association USA.
    

MN Team Places First at Dairy Challenge

The U of M team received a first place Platinum Award in the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC) held March 27 and 28 in Syracuse, NY. A total of 29 teams from the U.S. and two from Canada (divided into four divisions) competed in the 8th annual event. This is the second year in a row that the U of M team received a first place Platinum Award.

The team was coached by Dr. Marcia Endres and this year’s team members were Jennifer Becker, Eden Valley, MN; Brett Boyum, Battle Lake, MN; Adam Husfeldt, Gaylord, MN; and Amanda Rasmussen, Rothsay, MN. They did an awesome job! Feedback comments from the judges to the team included “fantastic” and “outstanding presentation”. The dairy owner whose farm they evaluated was very pleased with the team’s findings and their professional presentation.

Dairy Challenge was designed by dairy industry professionals and university educators to bring classroom training to life in the real world for students preparing for dairy careers. Teams spend two days at the contest. On the first day, they evaluate cow and farm management data as well as financial records, and visit the dairy. Later that day, they interview the farm manager.

After identifying opportunities to increase efficiency and profitability for the herd owner, the team presents its findings to a judging panel comprised of a dairy business owner and four experts in dairy nutrition, herd health, reproduction and financial management. Teams are judged on their analysis of the operation, recommendations and overall presentation.

Dairy Challenge provides students the opportunity to visit with other students from various universities in North America, and to network with sponsors, coaches and agricultural professionals. The Challenge is indeed a novel educational activity that has brought universities and industry together to develop future employees and leaders.

2009 U of M Dairy Challenge Team, front row (L-R): Jenn Becker and Amanda Rasmussen; back row (L-R): Brett Boyum, coach Marcia Endres, and Adam Husfeldt.

Congratulations team!

Linn Wins in 3 Categories at March Cookie Monster Madness

Over 60 cookie tasters judged the entries of 20 bakers at the 3rd Annual FANS March Cookie Monster Madness contest in Haecker Hall on March 31. Judges were asked to choose a favorite cookie in each of the following categories:

• All American
• Bars/Brownies
• Healthy (is there such a thing as a 'healthy' cookie?)
• International
• Open cookie category – new this year (for male contestants only)
• Overall favorite – 'Cookie of the Year'

And the winners are…

Dr. Jim Linn’s Cashew Crème was chosen as the favorite All American cookie, and his GS Bars won the favorite Bars/Brownies category; Dana Souther’s Deep Dark Chocolate cookie was chosen as the favorite in the Healthy category, and her Sefrou Apricot cookie was the favorite International cookie; Ray Miller won the Open cookie category with his Monster Cookies.

Jim Linn’s GS Bars took the grand prize, the 'Cookie of the Year' award.

Thank you to the bakers who entered and judges who cast ballots in this year's FANS Cookie Monster Madness contest. There were a number of great entries making the decisions difficult for the judges!

  
 

        
 

MN DHIA Names Scholarship Winners

Minnesota DHIA awarded twelve $500 scholarships to students excelling in scholastic achievement and leadership in school and community activities.

This year’s recipients were Brett Blackwelder, Chokio, MN; Amanda Carlson, Welch, MN; Luke Daninger, Forest Lake, MN; Breanna Dirksen, Twin Brooks, SD; Joseph Lee, McIntosh, MN; Brittany Moorse, Minneota, MN; Elizabeth Olson, Hutchinson, MN; Elinor Opitz, Cold Spring, MN; Kayla Solum, Rice Lake, WI; Brandon Thesing, Winona, MN; Brianna Wegner, Faribault, MN; Laura Weisz, Hillman, MN.

Luke, Elizabeth, Elinor, Brandon and Laura are undergraduate students in Animal Science at the U of M.

To qualify for the scholarships, students must be an immediate family member on test with Minnesota DHIA or an immediate family member of a Minnesota DHIA employee.
  

CFANS Students Lead Dairy Youth Organization
Source: Elizabeth Olson, MJHA Reporter

Young dairy enthusiasts from around the state gathered on March 27-29 in Mankato, MN, for the Minnesota Junior All-Breeds Dairy Convention. The event attracted nearly 100 youth and provided them the opportunity to learn more about the industry and participate in a variety of competitions. The youth also toured Northern Plains Dairy, a 2300-cow Jersey farm with a rotary milking parlor and an anaerobic digester.

The convention was organized and planned by the Minnesota Junior Holstein Board of Directors, and is seen by many as an opportunity to reunite with friends made at dairy events throughout the year.

"Convention is great, because we get to see friends we only usually see during the summer or at the State Fair" says Mitchell Rosenfeld, a board member of the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association, CFANS Animal Science freshman and a 6-year attendee of the convention.

But for Rosenfeld, the opportunity to work with those same peers is now at CFANS. Eight of ten board members will be or are currently students in the college. Mitchell commented, "Living so close to each other now has been very convenient for us to stay organized as a board."

The newly elected board members are: Mitchell Rosenfeld (freshman in Animal Science), Ashley Swenson (incoming CFANS freshman in the fall) and Megan Udermann (CFANS freshman).

Re-elected board members are: Emily Achen (freshman in Animal Science), Molly Neil (junior in Agricultural Education) and Elizabeth Olson (freshman in Animal Science).

The 2009-2010 officers are: Molly Neil-President (junior in Agricultural Education), Mike Donnelly-Vice President (sophomore in Animal Science), Abby Udermann-Secretary (sophomore in Animal Science), Mitchell Rosenfeld-Treasurer, Elizabeth Olson-Reporter, Ashley Swenson-Historian, Jacob Achen-All-breeds Liaison (incoming freshman), Megan Udermann-Director, Emily Achen-Director, and Heidi Scapanski-Director (junior at St. Cloud State).
  

Equine Genetics is Focus of Webinar
Source: Krishona Martinson

Think you know horses inside and out? The U of M is teaming up with Michigan State University’s “My Horse University” to take horse owner knowledge to a new depth. Beginning in April, a new webinar series will be offered to bring horse owners and industry professionals the most up-to-date information on equine genetics.

The first in a series of seven webinars, “Equine Genetics 101,” will be presented at no charge on April 22 at 11:00 a.m. eastern standard / noon central time. There is no charge to join the webinar, but registration is required.

Register for the Equine Genetics webinar at http://www.myhorseuniversity.com/genetics. Participants must register by April 21. Information on how to join the webinar will be emailed to participants who register.
  

U of M Equine Experts to Present at MN Horse Expo
Source: Krishona Martinson

Waiting for spring's arrival? Have horse questions? Come and visit U of M equine faculty at the 27th Minnesota Horse Expo on April 24, 25 and 26 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. Presentations will take place in the Ramberg Building (near the Haunted House) and are included in the cost of Expo admission.

The Minnesota Horse Expo is a 3-day event consisting of equine related sessions, presentations and demonstrations with topics that include horse care, riding, training and owning. Participants will have the opportunity to see horses from over 50 breeds and registries, attend PRCA rodeos, shop at 600+ booths, and take a free horse, pony or carriage ride. Don’t miss the largest gathering for horse people in Minnesota!
 
For more information on the 2009 Minnesota Horse Expo, visit http://www.mnhorseexpo.org.
 

U of M to Host 80th MN State FFA Convention

Soon the U of M will again be bustling with blue jackets. Some 3,000 students from across the state will attend the 80th Minnesota State FFA Convention during the week of April 26-28.

FFA members at the convention will have the opportunity to “Experience the Legacy” and celebrate the tradition of this youth organization, which is based on agricultural education. FFA was established in 1928 as a national organization dedicated to preparing its members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.

While on campus, convention goers will attend educational workshops, compete in various contests, view exhibits and displays, take part in tours and open houses, and much more. Visit the FFA Convention website (http://www.ffa.umn.edu/) for additional information.
  

Get Everyone Certified in 2009!
Source: Mark Whitney, U of M Extension

The U of M Swine Extension Team, in partnership with the Minnesota Pork Board, is offering multiple training and certification courses for both Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) throughout the state in 2009. 

The PQA+ training sessions certify adults in that program, covering ten on-farm good production practices that affect pork quality, while discussing the current issues affecting animal welfare and describing the PQA+ site assessment process. The TQA training sessions educate individuals in pig behavior, animal handling and transport, and involve passing an open-book exam for certification.

Both programs are being required by most hog packers, and certification lasts for 3 years.  “Participation by pork producers in these quality assurance programs demonstrates to consumers and the public that our pork industry takes food safety and animal welfare very seriously, and that we implement production practices to ensure the highest level of both,” states Dr. Mark Whitney, U of M Swine Extension Team leader. 

There is no cost to attend any of the sessions, but pre-registration is requested by calling the Minnesota Pork Board office at (800) 537-7675. Future training sites include Mapleton, Marshall, Waseca, Worthington, Mankato, Morris, St. Cloud, Rochester and Fergus Falls. An updated schedule of quality assurance trainings is maintained at http://www.mnpork.com and can also be accessed through the U of M Swine Extension website at http://www.extension.umn.edu/swine. Additionally, trainings can be set up by contacting Whitney at (507)389-5541 or whitn007@umn.edu. 
 

UMAA to Hold 105th Annual Celebration

The U of M Alumni Association (UMAA) will hold its 105th Annual Celebration on Friday, May 1. The event will include an alumni reception and dinner at the University Recreation Center at 5:30 p.m. and a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at Northrop Auditorium beginning at 8:00 p.m. The concert will feature the University Symphony Orchestra, Combined Choirs, and a performance by Dean Billmeyer on the organ.

Registration and tickets are available at: http://www.alumni.umn.edu/2009_Annual_Celebration.
  

Spring Sale Features Locally Grown Plants

Get locally grown perennials, herbs, annuals, vegetables and fruits at the Horticulture Club’s Spring Plant Sale. There will also be a few surprises in store during the sale. The sale will take place on the U of M St. Paul Campus on Gortner Avenue between Larpenteur and Folwell on the following dates:

• May 7 & 8 (9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.)
• May 9 (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
• May 10 (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.)

For additional information, contact the Horticulture Club by email at hortclub@umn.edu.
  

Dairy Producers Reach Out to 10,000 Community Members
Source: Midwest Dairy Association

The Midwest Dairy Association reports that their SpeakOut! program has passed a milestone – the initiative through which dairy producers are trained and scheduled for presentations to community leaders has reached 10,000 people. In Minnesota alone, more than 50 dairy producers have given presentations at more than 200 meetings and have reached more than 6,000 community leaders.

SpeakOut! was launched in 2007 to tell the story of dairy farmers’ dedication to producing wholesome milk while caring for their animals and the land they call home. Since its beginning, the program has been given rave reviews. On average, SpeakOut! presentations given by dairy producers have scored 5.56 out of a possible 6.0 when evaluated by their audiences.

An Alexandria, MN, Rotary Club member said, “It was an excellent, professional presentation with a personal touch. At the end, our club members asked a higher than normal amount of questions. On a personal note, I left with a lot of new knowledge and appreciation for the milk I drink each day.”

Dairy producers participating in the program receive all the tools they need, such as training, scheduling, posters, videos and handouts, to make presentations in their local communities. Participants are seeing the difference they can make in their local communities and the importance of the program. “I did not realize the impact I could have on my local community by simply participating in SpeakOut!,” said Linda Johnson, a La Crescent, MN, dairy producer and SpeakOut! participant. “This experience has really opened the door for me to help educate others about what we do each day on the farm and how dedicated we are to producing wholesome products.”

Celebrating the milestone of reaching 10,000 community leaders is a reminder of the importance of sharing the story of production agriculture with others. Studies have shown that consumers connect with dairy producers and consider them experts when it comes to dairy farming. “The more that we do these SpeakOut! presentations, the more we need to do them,” said Barb Liebenstein, a Dundas, MN, dairy producer and SpeakOut! participant. “These presentations are so important for personal knowledge and for the good of the dairy industry.”
  

MnFRAC Seeks Peer Mentors

Minnesota Foundation for Responsible Animal Care (MnFRAC) is seeking to fill 8 positions as peer mentors for selected 4-H State Fair livestock exhibitors of all species. The selected individuals will serve to foster positive interactions with State Fair goers who visit livestock displays.

Those interested in applying must be college students over the age of 18 who are available for in-service training before State Fair and are who not 4-H exhibitors at the 2009 State Fair. These positions offer a $300 stipend for working five days of 4-H Livestock weekend (August 26-30); the exact hours are to be determined. See the position description for additional details http://www.mnfrac.org/pdf/MnFRAC-MSFposition.pdf.

MnFRAC is a non-profit organization and a coalition of food and fiber producers, processors, educators and private citizens in support of the livestock industry.
  

Plan on Attending the 70th MN Nutrition Conference

Our conference planning committee has been busy working on the agenda for the upcoming 70th Minnesota Nutrition Conference. The meeting is scheduled for September 15 and 16, 2009, in Owatonna, MN, at the Holiday Inn (next to Cabela's). This annual event for feed industry professionals offers the latest concepts in the feeding and nutrition of swine, poultry, and beef and dairy cattle.

Check the Minnesota Nutrition Conference website at http://www.ansci.umn.edu/mn_nutrition_conf/mnc.html for program and registration details as more information becomes available, and plan to attend this engaging conference.

There will be numerous sponsorship opportunities available for this event. Those who have an interest in sponsoring should contact Lee Johnston (320-589-1711).
  

Xiaojing Li

Xiaojing Li is originally from Heilongjiang Province in the northeast of China, which possesses a similar latitude to Minnesota. She loves to study and live here as much as in her own home town.

Xiaojing completed a B.S. in Animal Science from Northeast Agricultural University in 2005. She then went on to complete a M.S. in Monogastric Animal Nutrition from China Agricultural University at Beijing in 2007.

After graduation, Xiaojing worked as an Administrative Manager in Novus International (Beijing) before deciding to continue her education. This past January, she started her Ph.D. program in Animal Science at the U of M, concentrating on Swine Nutrition under the instruction of Dr. Lee Johnston.

In her spare time, Xiaojing enjoys shopping, playing tennis, watching movies, cooking, traveling, and playing cards with her friends.
  

On March 25, Sarah Schieck successfully defended her Masters thesis titled, "Use of crude glycerol, a biodiesel co-product, in sow lactation and grow-finish diets". Dr. Lee Johnston is her advisor.
  

Ryan Cox (PI), Grant Crawford, Alfredo DiCostanzo and Ryon Walker received $124,000 from Minnesota Corn Growers and AURI. Project title: Effect of finishing cattle on low soluble distillers grains on animal performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics. Funding period: 8/1/09-12/30/10.

Krishona Martinson and Craig Sheaffer received a $3,000 grant from Midwest Forage Association. Project title: The effect of harvest moisture and bale wrapping on temperature and forage quality in grass hay. Funding period: May 2009-January 2010.

Jerry Shurson (PI) and Samuel Baidoo received $35,355 from the National Pork Board. Project title: Impact of DDGS particle size on DM, energy, nitrogen, and phosphorus digestibility in diets for growing pigs. Funding period: 5/1/09-4/30/10.

Jerry Shurson (PI), Lee Johnston and Samuel Baidoo were granted $29,528 from the National Pork Board. Project title: Effects of rapid introduction and removal from the diet of high and low quality corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and dietary inclusion rates on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. Funding period: 5/1/09-4/30/10.

Jerry Shurson (co-investigator), Yanhong Zhang (PI) of the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center, and Hans H. Stein at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign received funding (amount has not yet been announced) from the National Pork Board. Project title: Comprehensive evaluation of lysine digestibility in DDGS. Funding period: 5/1/09-4/30/10.
 

- April 2009 -

13-18 - 93rd Annual Minnesota Royal, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Janelle Kuechle.

14 - 2009 Women's Ag Leadership Conference, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN. Contact: Women's Ag Leadership, 715-822-6347.

19 - Block & Bridle 4th Annual Club Pig Sale (2:00 p.m.), Livestock Pavilion, U of M St. Paul Campus.

23 - Beautiful U Day, Campus-wide.

24-26 - 27th Minnesota Horse Expo, Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Avenue N., St. Paul.  

26-28 - 80th Minnesota FFA State Convention, U of M Twin Cities.
 

- May 2009 -

4, 11 & 18 - Living on the Land Livestock Workshop Series (6:30-9:45 p.m.), U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Wayne Martin, 612-625-6224. Online registration: http://umnext.cmiregistration.com/ProgramDetail.aspx/LivingLandLivestockStPaul.

7-10 - Horticulture Club Spring Plant Sale, U of M St. Paul Campus. For more info, contact the Horticulture Club.

10 - CFANS Commencement (2:00 p.m.), Northrop Auditorium, U of M Minneapolis Campus.

11 - CFANS Spring College Assembly (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.), North Star Ballroom, U of M St. Paul Student Center.

19-21 - Minnesota Dairy Health Conference, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Veterinary Continuing Education, 612-624-3434 or 800-380-8636.
 

- June 2009 -

11-13 - Gopher Dairy Camp, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Brad Heins, 612-625-9294.
 

- July 2009 -

10 - 6th Annual Golf Scramble for Scholarships (8:00 a.m.), Les Bolstad U of M Golf Course. Contact: Scott Manwarren, 612-986-6628.
 

- August 2009 -

27-Sep 7 - Minnesota State Fair, Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Avenue N., St. Paul. Contact: MN State Fair, 651-288-4400.
 

- September 2009 -

15-16 - 70th Minnesota Nutrition Conference, Holiday Inn, Owatonna, MN. Contact: Lee Johnston, 320-589-1711 or John Goihl, 800-322-0437.

19-22 - Allen D. Leman Swine Conference, RiverCentre, St. Paul, MN. Contact: Veterinary Continuing Education, 612-624-3434 or 800-380-8636.

- October 2009 -

4-11 - Homecoming 2009, U of M Twin Cities.