AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science

April 2010

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

I am very pleased to announce we have hired Dr. Allen Bridges for the Beef Cow-Calf Management position at the North Central Research and Outreach Center (NCROC), Grand Rapids. Allen’s background is a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, an M.S. from the University of Florida, and a B.S. from the University of Missouri. He currently is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Reproductive Physiology at Purdue University. Allen has a very productive and active extension and research program at Purdue focusing on reproductive management in beef cattle, dairy cattle and swine. Allen’s responsibilities here at Minnesota will be similar with state-wide extension education program leadership in beef cattle reproductive physiology and management, and continuing his research utilizing the beef cow herd and Biotech Center at the NCROC. We look forward to August when Allen, his wife and son will be moving to Minnesota and joining our faculty.

Even in times of current budget shortfalls and predicted larger shortfalls in 2011, planning and positioning ourselves for the future is essential. Our programs and commitment to the people of Minnesota will not disappear, and we want to have a viable and functioning workforce and programs in place when the economy recovers and strengthens. There are already some positive indications that the economy is strengthening, but even in the downturned economy, the production of a wholesome and safe food supply is essential. The current hire of Dr. Bridges and the in progress search for an Organic Dairy Production and Management position at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC), Morris, are positive indications for the support and future of animal science programs at the University of Minnesota. Hiring faculty at ROCs is an important commitment to the Animal Science program, and bringing education and research to stakeholders and the people across Minnesota. These hires not only strengthen our current research and education programs, but increase our capacity to serve the beef and dairy industries in Minnesota. Minnesota is one of the leading cattle producing states and in 2008, the beef and dairy industries together generated close to 3 billion dollars in economic activity. The Beef Cow-Calf position at NCROC and the Organic Dairy Production position at WCROC will be important resources in contributing to a sustainable livestock industry in Minnesota. I look forward to announcing our hire in the Organic Dairy Production position sometime in late May.
 

Faculty Highlights

Dr. Les Hansen

Dr. Les Hansen joined the Department of Animal Science in 1981 with a directive from the Head of the department and a personal goal of sparking and leading undergraduate programming for students interested in dairy cattle. The Gopher Dairy Club was launched the year after Dr. Hansen joined the department, and the undergraduate dairy program has grown in student numbers consistently since that time. Currently, the Gopher Dairy Club is believed to be the largest undergraduate dairy science club in the country. Dr. Hansen has successfully coached the U of M's dairy cattle judging team for 23 years, which is more years than any previous coach. For 7 of the past 10 years, teams coached by Dr. Hansen have been among the top 4 teams in the National Collegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, which is held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI.

The course, AnSc 4011 Dairy Cattle Breeding, which is taught annually by Dr. Hansen and is completely devoted to dairy cattle genetics, continues to be taught at only two other land-grant universities in the U.S. Therefore, many of Dr. Hansen's former students, both undergraduate and graduate students, have been heavily employed in the genetics divisions of the dairy cattle breeding (A.I.) organizations in the U.S. — in fact, no other university can come close to the number of alumni who are geneticists with these organizations. For teaching, Dr. Hansen has received the ADSA Outstanding Teaching Award, the CFANS Distinguished Teaching Award, and the university-wide Morse Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award.

Dr. Hansen's research is mostly dairy cattle genetics, and the topics have always emphasized the health and fertility of dairy cows. Until the past decade, the research was completely directed toward the Holstein breed. However, in recent years, his research has broadened to explore the potential of crossbreeding for commercial milk production. Dr. Hansen has been blessed with an outstanding string of star-quality graduate students throughout his career. Dr. Hansen is a popular public speaker, who is in great demand for both domestic and international audiences. In fact, he has traveled to 19 countries to speak over just the past 5 years — Germany (3 times), the U.K. (3 times), France (3 times), Sweden (twice), Australia (twice), Brazil (twice), Colombia (twice), as well as Portugal, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and South Africa.
 

New Inductees to Hall of Fame
Source: Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association

The Minnesota Livestock Breeders' Association added four new inductees to the Minnesota Livestock Hall of Fame at their 114th Annual Meeting and Banquet on March 18, 2010. Lynn Aggen, Wallace Miller, Steve Pooch and Steve Tuman were recognized for their signification contributions to the livestock industry in Minnesota. Their photos will be displayed with the previous 152 Hall of Fame inductees dating back to 1934. The Hall of Fame is located in Haecker Hall on the U of M St. Paul Campus.

Lynn Aggen grew up on a farm in southwest Minnesota near Rushmore. After graduating from the U of M School of Veterinary Medicine in 1973, Dr. Aggen accepted a position with the Harmony Veterinary Clinic and moved to Harmony, MN, with his wife Barb. Lynn has owned and operated Oak Meadow farm since 1977. He started the business with 80 acres of land and a few crossbred cows. In 1981, he began specializing in purebred Simmental beef cattle and since then the operation has expanded to 230 acres with 135 registered Simmental breeding age females. With those females and progressive AI and embryo transfer, one of the more respected Simmental seedstock herds in the Midwest was developed. They market roughly 25 bulls each year private treaty off the farm as well as through the Minnesota Beef Cattle Improvement Association's (MBCIA) bull test sale every April.

Lynn has been active in the Minnesota and American Simmental Associations since 1985. In 1993, he helped organize the American Simmental Association National Show in Rochester, MN. He has served on the Minnesota Beef Profitability Task Force, which helps create policies and guidelines for Minnesota Beef Producers, and has been an active member of the Fillmore Cattleman's Association serving as President in 1987 and 1990. In 1991, he was named Cattleman of the Year by the Fillmore County Cattleman's Association. Lynn has also been active in the MBCIA, and in 2008 he received the MBCIA Seedstock Producer of the Year award.

Wallace Miller was a county agricultural agent in the early 1940s when he and some farmers from Scott and LeSueur counties formed the Minnesota Valley Breeders Association, which began operating in 1941 after moving into a vacant building where they set up a semen collection room, a lab, and stalls for the bulls. The organization faced a number of problems before Wally took it upon himself to solve the issues. He later resigned as county agent so he could focus on the management and operation of the association.

Wally served as Manager of Minnesota Valley Breeders for 30 years before retiring in 1971. Over the course of his career, Minnesota Valley Breeders became one of the most successful farmer-owned cooperatives in the nation and a leader in the growth of artificial insemination in the dairy industry. Miller helped organize Minnesota Valley Electric Company and worked to establish the Minnesota Valley Engineering Company, which provides the most modern equipment used for storing and transporting semen.

Steve Pooch grew up on a hog, sheep and beef cattle farm in Lamberton, MN, and was very involved in FFA. He attended the U of M and majored in Agriculture Education. After graduating from college, he took a full-time position at the Minnesota State Fair where he worked for 37 years, first as Competition Manager and later as Deputy General Manager. Under Steve's leadership, the Fair made many accomplishments, including: the addition of a 4-H market livestock show (1980); construction of a milking parlor in the cattle barn (1983); providing barn tours to educate people about livestock (1992); starting the Minnesota Beef Expo (2000), which Steve formed along with Mark Goodrich; creating the Little Farm Hands exhibit (2003) to educate people about agriculture; building the Miracle of Birth exhibit (2006), which attracts over 1,000,000 people annually; and renovation of the Moo Booth (2009), which was constructed in the cattle barn to educate consumers about the cattle industry. The Minnesota State Fair remains one of the few fairs in the country that can boast of full livestock barns during their fair, and their FFA and 4-H shows are unequaled.

Steve has served as secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota Livestock Breeders' Association since 1992; was a member of the National Agriculture Committee (chair in 1995) of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions; served on the board of the Minnesota Ag in the Classroom for 6 years (chair in 2000); helped found the Academy of Science and Agriculture, a Twin Cities charter school for agriculture, served on its first school board and chaired its Advisory Committee; served as chair of the Minnesota Forum for Animal Agriculture for 2 years in the 1990s; and became a member of the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame in 2004.

Steven Tuman and his wife Nancy own and operate Willow Wells farm near Watkins, MN, where they breed and raise registered Brown Swiss. Steven started the herd in the early 1970s with 12 cows and later added cows with good pedigrees and sound type. One cow in particular, L-J Jeavarissa Jean (purchased in 1973), made a huge impact on his show ring success. The following year, she was named Grand Champion at both the Minnesota State Fair and at the National Dairy Cattle Congress in Waterloo, IA, and she received the Grand Champion banner at World Dairy Expo. Steven sold offspring out of Jean allowing him to grow his herd into what it is today. The cows at Willow Wells do very well in milk production; the current herd average is 20,000 lb of milk, 801 lb of fat, and 635 lb of protein. The herd has made many thousand pound fat records and won many state Brown Swiss production awards and county DHIA awards.

Dairy judging is another of Steven's passions. He is a highly respected judge who enjoys working with youth and judging 4-H and FFA shows across Minnesota. Over the years, he has hosted the U of M collegiate judging team, 4-H teams and FFA teams for practice. Since 1979, Steven has judged 13 state fairs, twice at the Southeastern National Show in Louisville, KY, and the Eastern National Show in Harrisburg, PA, at World Dairy Expo in 1993 and 2004, the Southern National in Dallas, TX, and internationally at the Columbian National Brown Swiss Show in Bogota, Columbia.

Congratulations to Minnesota Livestock Hall of Fame inductees of 2010.
  

Tour Leatherdale Equine Center During MN Horse Expo

The U of M Horse Team will offer free tours of the Leatherdale Equine Center during the 28th Annual Minnesota Horse Expo, which takes place April 23-25, 2010, at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. Equine Center tours will be held on Friday, April 23rd at 2:30, 4:00 and 5:30 p.m., and on Saturday, April 24th at 10:00 and 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. Tour participants will interact with U of M veterinarians and learn about the Equine Center's specialty services including anesthesia, rehab, cardiology and neurology. Tour passes will be available at the U of M booth in the Cattle Barn. The bus stop located north of the Expo ticket booth on Liggett Street is the rendezvous point for transporting visitors to the Equine Center.

Also during the Expo, U of M Horse Team members will take part in "Careers in the Equine Industry", a panel discussion that covers what different colleges have to offer and what types of careers are available in the horse industry. The panel discussion will take place in the Ramberg Building on the State Fairgrounds at 11:00 a.m. on April 23 and at 9:00 a.m. on April 24.

For more information about the Minnesota Horse Expo, please visit http://www.mnhorseexpo.org/. 
  

Seykora is Outstanding Undergraduate Student Group Advisor

Congratulations to Dr. Tony Seykora on being selected as this year's Outstanding Undergraduate Student Group Advisor. At a ceremony in the Great Hall of Coffman Memorial Union on April 15th (5:00 p.m.), Dr. Seykora will receive a Tony Diggs Excellence Award recognizing the outstanding advising work he's done with the Gopher Dairy Club for the past 18 years.

The Tony Diggs Excellence Awards were developed by the Student Activities Office (SAO) in remembrance of Tony Diggs, former Director of the SAO, who passed away in 2006 after a long battle with cancer.
  

Phillips Name Hueg-Harrison Fellow

Christina Phillips was recently selected to receive the prestigious Hueg-Harrison Graduate Fellowship Award for the 2010-2011 academic year. This very competitive award recognizes the student/mentor relationship that evolves during the pursuit of a graduate degree in production/applied agriculture. Christina's advisor/mentor is Dr. Yuzhi Li. As a Hueg-Harrison Fellow, Christina will be awarded $6,700 in the form of an academic year non-service stipend.

Congratulations Christina!
  

Reiter is a CFANS Outstanding Student Employee

Brenda Reiter, an Animal Science junior who works in the CFANS Student Services Office, is a recipient of a 2009-2010 CFANS Outstanding Student Employee award. The award seeks to recognize the top 10% of undergraduate student employees on the Twin Cities campus for outstanding contributions to their department and the University community.

Brenda stands out as an exceptional student employee. She has demonstrated the skills and commitment that exemplify strong leadership and outstanding service, and has performed above and beyond expectations.

The U of M will honor all its outstanding student employees at a recognition reception on April 26, 3:30-5:00 p.m., in the Mississippi Room of Coffman Memorial Union. For more information about the Outstanding Student Employee Awards, please visit http://selp.umn.edu/index.html.
  

Holstein Association USA Names DJM Semifinalists

Megan Herberg (St. Peter, MN), a junior majoring in Animal Science at the U of M, is one of twelve semifinalists in the Holstein Association USA's annual Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) competition. The DJM award is the highest honor that the organization bestows upon a Holstein Junior Member. Contestants are judged on an entry book highlighting their Junior Holstein project work and involvement in activities in the Holstein and dairy industries, and in their schools and communities. The contest is open to any National Junior Member age 17 to 21.

This year's semifinalists also include: Abigail Andrew (Newark, NY), Jacob Brey (Sturgeon Bay, WI), Elizabeth Cloninger (Centre Hall, PA), Laura Elliot (Marshall, WI), Jenna Fox (Rockwood, PA), Katie Hanehan (Stillwater, NY), Leah Henkes (Luana, IA), Benjamin Kinnard (Sturgeon Bay, WI), Maureen Lee (Johnson Creek, WI), Austin Schwartzbeck (Union Bridge, MD), and Mark Simon (Farley, IA).

All twelve semifinalists have shown a strong commitment to the Holstein breed as well as to their communities and agriculture in general. They will be participating in interviews at the National Junior Holstein Convention, June 26-29 in Bloomington, MN, to compete for six spots as finalists. All finalists receive annual renewed membership to Holstein Association USA.
 

Students Receive Scholarships for COE Poultry Program

Four U of M students (Jesse Holmgren, Kate Meloche, Cory Van Denburgh and Breanna Wimmler) received scholarships to attend the poultry courses offered by the Midwest Poultry Consortium's Center of Excellence (COE). A total of 29 students received scholarships for the program that offers a unique educational experience with research-based poultry science curriculum. Students will choose among six courses each offered for a two-week period during the summer at UW-Madison. Courses are team-taught by faculty from the participating universities.

Course and scholarship information is available at the following website: http://www.mwpoultry.org/COEhome.html.
 

MPF Convention: Noll on Nutrition Subcommittee / Ranelius Scholarship Winners Announced

The Midwest Poultry Federation (MPF) Convention is the largest regional poultry show in the U.S. The 2009 convention, held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre on March 16-18, 2010, drew approximately 1,700 participants. In addition to a full program of educational sessions and exhibits showcasing every aspect of the poultry industry, many meetings were held in conjunction with the convention. Several universities, including the U of M, participated in setting research priorities for the Midwest Poultry Consortium Research Program.

The Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA) Nutrition subcommittee met during the convention to discuss current and future studies on turkey nutrition. The committee is chaired by Dick Nelson, Farm Service Elevator, Willmar, MN, and members include Dr. Sally Noll, U of M, St. Paul; Greg Engelke, Cornerstone Resources, LLC, New Brighton, MN; Jim Halvorson, Jennie-O Turkey Store, Barron, WI; and Gary Johnson, Jennie-O Turkey Store, Willmar, MN.

Pictured at left is the MTGA Nutrition subcommittee (L-R): Gary Johnson, Dick Nelson, Sally Noll, Jim Halvorson, Greg Engelke.
  
  
 

Congratulations to Alamanda Calvert and Kate Meloche, U of M students who received Ranelius Scholarships from the MTGA at the association's luncheon held during the convention.

Alamanda is pictured (left) with Steve Olson, Executive Director of MTGA.

Livestock Judging Team Concludes Spring Season with Top Ten Placing at Houston Stock Show

The U of M Livestock Judging Team recently returned from the Houston Stock Show livestock judging contest where they earned 7th place honors overall out of 24 teams from across the U.S. The team also was 2nd high team in the meat goat judging division. Individual, Tyler Evink had an outstanding day by placing 9th in the Cattle Division and 3rd in the Placings Division. The Houston Stock show and rodeo is the largest stock show in the U.S. and is one of the premier collegiate judging contests.

In preparation for the contest, the team practiced at various livestock operations throughout Texas including Horsegate Ranches, one of the nation’s premier Brahman breeders. The team also had the opportunity to practice at and visit Tarleton State and Texas A&M Universities.

The judging team is very proud of its accomplishments this spring and is excited about the upcoming fall campaign. The judging team will travel to the National Barrow Show, Keystone International, and American Royal. The team will use these contests as preparation for the National Livestock Judging Contest next November in Louisville, KY.

Photo: Livestock Judging Team at Horsegate Ranches in Texas; (L-R) Justin Johnston, Lakyn Lind, Matt Pearson, Andy Kryzer, Amanda Zwieg, Dan Fox, Brandi Modene, Tyler Evink.
  

U of M Beef Team Participants in Midwest ASAS/ADSA
Source: Grant Crawford, U of M Beef Team

U of M Beef Team members Alfredo DiCostanzo, Ryan Cox, Grant Crawford, Carl Dahlen, Jeff Jaderborg, Jackie Popowski and Jolene Kelzer attended the Midwest Section meetings of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) and the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) held March 15-17, 2010, in Des Moines, IA. All three Beef Team graduate students participated in graduate student competitions at the meetings: Jeff Jaderborg in the M.S. student oral paper competition with his abstract titled “Supplement moisture and feeding site affect feed intake and waste by wintering beef cows”; Jackie Popowski in the M.S. student poster competition with her abstract titled “Effect of feeding diets containing corn dried distillers grains with soluble (DDGS) and beef tallow to growing-finishing pigs on fresh and processed pork shelf life characteristics”; and Jolene Kelzer in the Ph.D. student oral paper competition with her abstract titled “Effects of spaying and terminal implant strategy on performance and carcass characteristics of beef feedlot heifers”.
 
Additional Beef Team presentations at Midwest ASAS/ADSA meetings included Grant Crawford's oral presentation titled “Comparison of a single Revalor XS implant with a Synovex Choice-Synovex Plus implant combination on feedlot steer performance and carcass characteristics”; Jolene Kelzer's two oral presentations titled “Effect of dehydrated yeast culture on in vitro gas and hydrogen sulfide production in cultures using low- or high-sulfur feedlot diets as substrate” and “Effect of manganese oxide on in vitro gas and hydrogen sulfide production in cultures using high-sulfur distillers grains-based substrate”; and Jeff Jaderborg's oral presentation titled “Effects of feeding site and hay processing on dry matter intake and hay waste by wintering beef cows” and his poster presentation titled “Nutrient concentration as affected by supplement form (liquid vs. dry) in a high moisture finishing ration”. In total, the Beef Team presented eight abstracts at the meetings. In addition, Alfredo DiCostanzo served as the chair of the Graduate Student Competitive Research Paper Committee and chaired the M.S. Student Oral Paper Competition session.

With the completion of the Midwest ASAS/ADSA meetings, the Beef Team is looking forward to attending and presenting research results at the upcoming Plains Nutrition Conference in San Antonio, TX, in April and the National Meetings of ASAS/ADSA in Denver, CO, in July.
  

U of M Beef Team Hosts National Youth Beef Industry Congress
Source: Lori Schott, U of MN Beef Team

The U of M Beef Team hosted the National Youth Beef Industry Congress (YBIC) March 26th in St. Paul, MN. Over 118 junior beef members and 22 advisors from 26 states represented the U.S. cattle industry. The focus of the YBIC is to bring youth together on a national level who have been identified as national leaders working in the interest of the beef cattle industry. The Congress is designed to further knowledge and understanding of all segments of the beef cattle industry and aid in the development of youth leaders in the U.S. cattle industry.

The U of M Beef Team conducted tours and profiled research projects at the Beef Center at UMORE Park, toured Digital Angel Corporation of St. Paul, and participated in educational workshops and “hands-on” sessions at the Andrew Boss Meat Lab on the U of M St. Paul Campus. This year’s events concentrated on such industry issues as animal welfare, animal rights, cattlemen and the environment, integrated resource management, value-based marketing, across-breed EPD's, and beef's role in the current food-protein market. Not only did YBIC participants discuss industry issues, they also learned about leadership in today's agricultural society. 

Over the past 26 years, 14 congresses have attracted over 2000 representatives from more than 30 states, Canada and Australia. Delegates have included state and national FFA officers, state 4-H officers, National Cattlemen's Association employees, State Cattlemen's Association employees, and state and national breed association employees. The junior beef breed associations in attendance have represented more than 600,000 head of registered cattle annually. These youth also represent breed and state association magazines circulated to 90,000+ cattlemen, both domestically and worldwide. 

The U of M Beef Team was proud to be a part of such a great national program!

Above: Lori Schott of the U of M Beef Team gave a presentation on global beef markets.
 

Become a Fan of the U of M Beef Team on Facebook!
Source: Grant Crawford, U of M Beef Team

The U of M Beef Team recently launched a fan page on Facebook to further their efforts in connecting with beef producers and consumers. The Beef Team plans on using their new Facebook fan page to announce upcoming Beef Team events, recap Beef Team activities, and provide profiles on Beef Team members and Minnesota beef producers. In addition to the announcements and updates, the Beef Team plans to use the fan page to highlight current issues affecting the beef industry and generate discussion among fans on such issues. The goal for the Beef Team fan page is to not only connect with beef producers, but also to provide accurate and timely beef industry information to producers and consumers.

Profiles on the Beef Team fan page have included information on Cow/Calf Days, the upcoming NCROC bull sale, the Biotech Center at the North Central ROC in Grand Rapids, and the Beef Team’s efforts in developing the Russian Beef Industry. In the short time that the Beef Team fan page has been online, nearly 200 fans have joined. To become a fan of the Beef Team on Facebook, search for U of M Beef Team and click on “Become a Fan”.
  

U of M Swine Faculty Featured Prominently in National Hog Farmer
Source: Mark Whitney, U of M Swine Extension Team

Two members of the U of M Swine Extension Team, Dr. Larry Jacobson and Dr. Bob Morrison, were prominently featured in two main articles in the March 15th issue of National Hog Farmer, a national pork producer magazine that reaches the majority of producers and allied industry in the U.S. as well as Canada. U of M Swine Extension Team members are often featured or asked to submit articles for National Hog Farmer or Pork magazine, the two most popular national pork producer publications. 

Dr. Jacobson was asked to provide information for "Watch Out for Foaming Manure", an article highlighting a problem that has been increasing in significance and concern this past fall — the foaming of deep manure pits under swine facilities as well as an increased incidence of barn explosions due to build-up of methane gas in barns being pumped that appears to be related to foaming of pits. Jacobson and other U of M researchers have combined efforts with researchers in other states in an attempt to identify significant contributors to the increased foaming and methane emissions observed.

Dr. Morrison contributed to "Producing More With Less", an article on energy conservation and the need to produce pork more efficiently, particularly with increased discussions regarding greenhouse gases and carbon credits. Dr. Morrison recently completed a sabbatical in which he studied the "carbon footprint" of pork production and the relative contribution of pork production to greenhouse gases.
 

National Swine Nutrition Guide Workshop Well-Attended in Owatonna

A workshop explaining the content of the newly released National Swine Nutrition Guide (NSNG) and accompanying diet formulation and evaluation software was conducted in Owatonna, MN on March 11th. Dr. Mark Whitney, U of M Extension, and Dr. John Patience, Iowa State University, presented the day-long workshop, which focused on the use and application of the NSNG and included a demonstration of the diet formulation and evaluation software program. 

Over 60 participants, primarily swine nutritionists, secondary suppliers and large producer systems, and several veterinarians, attended the program. In addition to workshops that have been held in Washington, North Carolina, Kansas, Indianapolis and Iowa, over 230 individuals have been trained on the guide and software nationally, with the Owatonna meeting being the second-most attended workshop. The participants of the NSNG workshops represent about 2 million sows and 29 million market hogs.

For more information regarding the NSNG and associated software, go to www.usporkcenter.org. Individual NSNG chapters/factsheets can be downloaded free of charge; however, the software is provided when individuals order the printed version of the NSNG for $125.
 

Nine Inductees to FFA Hall of Fame; Four are CFANS Alums

The Minnesota FFA Association and the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association announced the addition of nine new members to the FFA Hall of Fame, four of which are CFANS alums. The following will be recognized at an induction ceremony on April 26 during the 81st Annual Minnesota State FFA Convention:

• Larry Baumgardt ('68, '74 Agricultural Education), Sleepy Eye, MN
• R. James Ertl ('74, '75 Dairy Husbandry, Dairy Production), Rosemount, MN
• Norman Goodwin ('36 Agriculture), Bayport, MN
• Gary Thome ('73, '82 Agricultural Education), Adams, MN  
• Rosanne Caughey, Fort Ripley, MN
• Dale Erickson, Mahnomen, MN
• Gene Hugoson, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, St. Paul, MN
• Ron Olson, Bloomington, MN
• Franklin Stuckey, New Ulm, MN

The Minnesota State FFA Convention takes place April 25-27, 2010, on the U of M Twin Cities Campus. For more information about the convention, please visit the Minnesota State FFA Convention website.
  

Condolences

Dr. John P. Hurtgen, renowned reproductive veterinarian who pioneered modern embryo transfer, died suddenly on February 17, 2010, at the age of 62. Dr. Hurtgen was raised on a dairy farm and active in 4-H. He received his B.S. degree in Animal Science in 1970, D.V.M. in 1972, M.S. degree in Theriogenology in 1976, and Ph.D. in Theriogenology in 1979 — all from the U of M.

Dr. Hurtgen was on the faculties of the University of Minnesota and University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center. In 1983, he moved to New Freedom, PA, and subsequently began a private equine ambulatory practice. In 1996, he began Nandi Veterinary Associates, an equine productive facility.

Hurtgen is survived by his wife Linda (Greutzmacher) of 36 years, two children, five brothers, 3 grandchildren, and 30 nieces and nephews.
  

New on the Animal Science Website

Now you can check the availability of more meeting rooms managed by the Department of Animal Science. We've added Haecker Hall Rooms 155F, 375 (Shoffner Library), and 445 (Computer Lab). In addition, we've added each room's capacity, phone number and type of equipment, if any, available in the room. The links for each room will take you to the room's calendar for viewing (see http://www.ansci.umn.edu/room_calendars.htm).

To reserve a room, please contact one of the following:

• Abby Udermann (612-624-2722)
• Bonnie Rae (612-624-4995)
• Kim Reno (612-624-3491)
• Dana Souther (612-624-7453)

Winners of Cookie Monster Madness Announced

Winners of the FANS Division Cookie Monster Madness contest, held in Haecker Hall on March 31st, were announced shortly after roughly 50 participants sampled 13 different entries and placed their votes.

The Scandinavian Krum Kage, entered by Dr. Noah Litherland (photo at right) and prepared by wife Melissa, was voted "Overall Favorite Cookie" and named "FANS Division Cookie of the Year".

The Krum Kage is a large, thin traditional Scandinavian cookie made by pouring batter into an appliance similar to a waffle iron and then rolling the warm cookie around a cone form. The cone-shaped cookie is then filled with sweetened whipped cream. YUM! The Scandinavian Krum Kage also received the award for favorite 'International Cookie'.

The "All-American" category was won by Karen Lobeck for her Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Cookie; the "Bars/Brownies" category was won by Geri Skogen for her Chocolate Chocolate Brownies; and Jodi Nelson won the "Healthy Cookie"' category with her entry Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies.

The U of M Equine Club received an honorable mention for their very creative Horse Cookies made by the Frosted Fillies (pictured at left).

Thank you to all of the contestants and participants. Special thanks to Kim Reno for planning and publicizing the event, and to Jodi Nelson, Geri Skogen and Kim Reno for hosting the event and tabulating the votes.
  

94th Annual Minnesota Royal

"Work the Pen in 2010" is the theme of the 94th Annual Minnesota Royal celebration taking place during the week of April 12-17, 2010. Minnesota Royal celebrates the rich history of the U of M St. Paul Campus and the camaraderie between 10 campus organizations, over 300 students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The festivities include:

• Royalty Coronation
• Talent/Skit Show
• Quiz Bowl
• Royal Run
• Milkmaid Competition
• Stock the Trailer (non-perishable food collection for the Second Harvest Heartland food shelf)
• Johnny Holm Band Concert
• Ag Olympics
• Showmanship Contests
• Alumni and Friends BBQ

Thank you to the 2010 Minnesota Royal Executive Team for their time and efforts in planning and preparing for the week's activities:

• Jessica Achen - Overall Chair
• Courtney Heuer - Assistant Overall Chair
• Staci Sexton - Finance
• Katie Jones and Brenda Reiter - Events
• Amy Esselman and Stacy Butler - Fundraising
• Brianna Dressen and Pam Dahlman - Communications
• Charlie Schiller and Robert Westman - Showmanship
• Matthew Pearson - Celebrity Showmanship
• Michelle Reitsma - Philantropy
• Scott Franke - Species Chair-beef
• Brandon Thesing - Species Chair-dairy
• Lindsey Beckendorf - Species Chair-sheep
• Chris Dahlke - Species Chair-swine
• Laura Weisz - Alumni Relations
• Amy Hazel and Darren Lochner - Advisors

W.E. Petersen Symposium is May 20

The Department of Animal Science at the U of M presents the 5th W.E. Petersen Symposium, “Challenges and Opportunities in Animal Science Graduate Education”, at the Ramada Plaza, 1300 Industrial Blvd. NE, Minneapolis, MN, on May 20, 2010. The goals of this symposium are: 1) to identify priority areas and the specific courses graduate students will need in the future to be successful; and 2) to develop strategies for cooperation between universities in offering needed courses in an efficient and sustainable manner.

The symposium is free and open to the public. More information will soon be posted on the Animal Science Home Page.
  

Rosemount ROC and UMore Park to Hold Open House

Mark your calendars for the Rosemount Research and Outreach Center (ROC) and UMore Park Open House on August 19, 2010, 4:00-8:00 p.m. "Ag for the 21st Century: Healthy Living" will feature free, fun activities for the whole family including:

• Interactive U of M agricultural research exhibits on cows, turkeys, honey bees, crops and biofuels
• Healthy Living program demonstrations and advice
• Garden tours
• Master Gardener mini-classes
• Wildlife exhibits
• Games for the kids
• Hay wagon tours
• Wine tasting
• Live music
• Free, fresh-cooked corn-on-the-cob and lemonade (brats and hot dogs will be available for purchase)

The Rosemount ROC and UMore Park Open House is located at 1605 160th Street West, Rosemount, MN. For more information, please call 651-423-2455 or visit the Events page on the UMore Park website.
  

Save the Date - 71st Minnesota Nutrition Conference

Mark your calendars for the 71st Minnesota Nutrition Conference on September 21-22, 2010, at the Holiday Inn (next to Cabela's) in Owatonna, MN. Watch for more information as it becomes available on the Minnesota Nutrition Conference website: http://www.ansci.umn.edu/mnc.html.

Don't miss this popular forum for feed industry professionals and the opportunity to learn about the latest concepts in livestock nutrition from internationally renowned researchers.

To inquire about event sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lee Johnston at 320-589-1711 or johnstlj@morris.umn.edu.
 

Women's Center 50th Anniversary Gala

In 2010, the U of M Women's Center will commemorate their heritage as the first campus-based women's center in the country with their 50th Anniversary Gala. The program will include a keynote speaker, a spoken word performance, and opportunities to connect with former and current staff, friends and allies. This afternoon of celebration, connection and inspiration will take place in the U of M's McNamara Memorial Hall on October 1, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Additional events include:

September - October
History Exhibit: The Women's Center 1960-2010 (Andersen Library)

October 1, noon
Panel: Women's Center Leaders Through the Years (Andersen Library)

October 1, 7:00 p.m.
Homecoming Parade Participation

For more information and to RSVP, please visit www.umn.edu/women/50 or call 612-625-9837.

May 20, 2010

Challenges and Opportunities in Animal Science
Graduate Education

It will be at the Ramada Plaza in Minneapolis.

The Animal Science Department at the University of Minnesota is holding a symposium entitled “ Challenges and Opportunities in Animal Science Graduate Education” on May 20, 2010. The goals of this symposium are:  1) to identify priority areas and the specific courses graduate students will need in the future to be successful; and 2) to develop strategies for cooperation between universities in offering needed courses in an efficient and sustainable manner.
  

Devi Prasad Pangeni

Devi Prasad Pangeni is a first year Animal Science graduate student (MSc) who started in the spring of 2010. His major is swine nutrition and Dr. Samuel K. Baidoo serves as his advisor. Devi will be working on feeding low oligosaccharide soybean meal to wean to finish pigs.

Devi is from Nepal, the country of Mount Everest. Since his childhood he was fascinated by biology and majored in it in high school. He completed his B.V.Sc and A.H. (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) at Tribhuvan University Nepal. This program encompasses almost every aspect of animal health and husbandry. Commercialization in animal farming, especially swine production is a negligible exercise in Nepal. This lag and the quality of education provided by this department inspired him to join the U of M.

Devi has served as an advisor of the Nepal Veterinary Student Association and as a vice-president of the Technical Students Association of Nepal (TSAN). He also is registered in and is a member of Nepal Veterinary Council.

Devi enjoys reading and traveling. Besides academics to take back home with him, he wishes to learn more about American tradition and culture.
  

Brant Groen, Dairy Management Program Instructor at Ridgewater College, retired this month after 34 years. Over the years, Brant has collaborated with the U of M Dairy Team.

Haoliang Huang successfully defended his Master's thesis, Development of a Recombinant Avian Metapneumovirus (rAMPV), on April 2, 2010. Haoliang is advised by Dr. Doug Foster.

Dale Miller ('72 Animal Sciences), editor of National Hog Farmer, won the Pork Checkoff Distinguished Service Award at the National Pork Industry Forum held in Kansas City, MO, in March. He was recognized for his outstanding leadership and lifelong contributions to the pork industry.  

Grant Crawford (PI) and Alfredo DiCostanzo received a grant for the upcoming fiscal year in the amount of $82,330 from the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and the Minnesota Corn Growers/Corn Research and Promotion Council. Project title: Evaluation of low solubles dry distillers grains on ruminal fermentation and digestibility when included in finishing feedlot rations.

Grant Crawford (PI) and Alfredo DiCostanzo received a grant for the upcoming fiscal year in the amount of $81,960 from Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and the Minnesota Corn Growers/Corn Research and Promotion Council. Project title: Interaction of distillers grains sulfur concentration and dietary roughage on beef cattle feedlot performance.

The University of Minnesota (F. Abel Ponce de Leon, PI) is the subrecipient and the Pennsylvania State University is the prime recipient of a $75,000 award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Project title: Genomic structure and function of the bovine Y-chromosome. Period: 1/1/10-12/31/12.
 

- April 2010 -

7 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification, Heintz Center, 1926 College View Road SE, Rochester, MN. Contact: Colleen at MN Pork, 800-537-7675.

7 - SowBridge: Keeping Workers Safe from Swine Diseases. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

7 - 12th Annual Women's Agricultural Leadership Conference, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN. Contact: Doris Mold, 715-822-6347.

21 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification, West Central ROC, 46352 Hwy 329, Morris, MN. Contact: Colleen at MN Pork, 800-537-7675.

12-17 - Minnesota Royal, U of M St. Paul Campus.

21-22 - CBS Annual Plant Sale (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.), Minnesota Commons, Student Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Jodi Bjork, 612-625-4788.

22 - Beautiful U Day, U of M, Twin Cities.

23-25 - 28th Annual Minnesota Horse Expo, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul, MN.

24 - 106th U of M Alumni Association Annual Celebration, Mariucci Arena, U of M Mpls Campus.

26-27 - 81st Annual Minnesota State FFA Convention, U of M, Twin Cities.

- May 2010 -

5 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification, MN Pork Office, 151 Saint Andrews Court, Suite 810, Mankato, MN. Contact: Colleen at MN Pork, 800-537-7675.

5 - SowBridge: Beating Summer Heat For Sows. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

6 - Season Extension Field Day, Southwest ROC, 23669 130th Street, Lamberton, MN.

8-9 - 6th Annual Minnesota Meat Goat Producers (MMGP) All Goat Expo, Washington County Fairgrounds, Lake Elmo, MN. Contact: Wayne Martin, 612-625-6224.

18-20 - 2010 Minnesota Dairy Health Conference, Continuing Education and Conference Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. Pre-conference Symposium, "Dairy Welfare Programs and Audits" (May 18, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. Contact: Veterinary Continuing Education at vetmedce@umn.edu or 800-380-8636.

19 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification, Wells Fargo Bank Bldg, 220 W. Washington Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN. Contact: Colleen at MN Pork, 800-537-7675.

20 - W.E. Petersen Symposium "Challenges and Opportunities for Animal Science Graduate Education", Ramada Plaza, 1300 Industrial Blvd. NE, Minneapolis, MN. Contact: Kim Reno, 612-624-3491.

31 - The University's Twin Cities campus is closed (Memorial Day holiday).

- June 2010 -

2 - SowBridge: Air Filtration Systems for Sow Barns. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

9-10 - 4-State Dairy Conference, Dubuque, IA. Contact: Marcia Endres, 612-624-5391.

- July 2010 -

7 - SowBridge: Timing of AI. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

- August 2010 -

4 - SowBridge: Pregnancy Detection Technology for Troubleshooting. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

19 - Rosemount Research and Outreach Center (ROC) and UMore Park Open House "Ag for the 21st Century: Healthy Living" (4:00-8:00 p.m.), 1605 160th Street West, Rosemount, MN. Phone: 651-423-2455.

26-Sep 6 - Minnesota State Fair, Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN. Contact: MN State Fair, 651-642-2372.

29 - 2nd Annual Minnesota 4-H Dairy Showcase, Swine Barn Arena, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul, MN. Contacts: Sarah Schmidt, 507-6783-2245; Leah Johnson, 614-296-3631; Karyl Diersen, 507-724-2330.

- September 2010 -

1 - SowBridge: Emergency Action Plans for Hog Barns. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

18-21 - Allen D. Leman Swine Conference, Saint Paul RiverCentre, 174 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN. For details, visit the Veterinary Continuing Education website or call 612-624-3434. Registration opens June 1.

21-22 - 71st Minnesota Nutrition Conference, Holiday Inn, Owatonna, MN. Contacts: John Goihl, 800-322-0437; Lee Johnston, 320-589-1711.

- October 2010 -

1 - Women's Center 50th Anniversary Gala (3:00-5:00 p.m.) McNamara Memorial Hall, U of M. Phone: 612-625-9837.

2 - Equine Fall Conference, Nutrena Conference Hall, Leatherdale Equine Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Veterinary Continuing Education at vetmedce@umn.edu or 800-380-8636.

6 - SowBridge: Managing Feed Drops in Gestation. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.