AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science

April 2011

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

Notes from the Department Head

Pathways to Discovery is the new name for CFANS undergraduate strategic initiative. As the strategic plan has developed over the last several months, one of the focus areas for enhancing undergraduate education is providing students with more learning experiences. Activities most commonly considered to be learning experiences include internships, field experiences, and practical hands-on experiences that are learning by doing. Animal Science majors are fortunate in that our curriculum already provides a broad selection of learning experiences and classes. Starting with Intro to Animal Science all the way through to capstone courses in the species areas, students are provided learning experiences with animals and in laboratories while learning the science and acquiring communication, business, critical thinking, and technical skills. 

Learning experiences come in many ways, but none more fun than participating in Minnesota Royal. This annual event, which occurred last week, was marked by many events culminating in the Saturday showmanship competition. Students, experienced and inexperienced, learn to care for an animal and prepare it for exhibiting. The experienced are eager to compete against their peers, but also willing to provide lessons to the less experienced on how to successfully show an animal. Congratulations to all those who participated in the Minnesota Royal events.

Another student learning, but more teaching, activity coming up this next week is Ag Awareness. Ag Education students, along with others from the St. Paul Campus, will bring a variety of plant, animal and food exhibits to the Minneapolis Campus on April 19th to highlight agriculture and let students on the Minneapolis Campus learn about agriculture and food production. This is another student to student activity promoting communications and teamwork while broadening education in agriculture. Thank you to all the students who participate and contribute countless hours to the success of Ag Awareness each year.

And finally, I am excited to announce a new course for this fall that will provide hands-on learning opportunities in poultry production. This is a special course offering for anyone interested in poultry production from raising chickens in the backyard to modern commercial production. We are very fortunate to have one of our alumni, Dr. Bruce Behrends, leading this course offering. Bruce is a graduate from Animal Science in poultry nutrition and has been the lead nutritionist with Sparboe Farms for many years. He has a wealth of experience in organic, small scale and large scale commercial poultry production, which he will bring to the classroom in discussions on hatching, nutrition, disease control, housing, and management of poultry.  During the course, students will gain “hands-on experience” by caring for and processing meat chickens.

As Dean Levine stated “Breadth and depth in educational programs not only offer flexibility to students, but provide them with varied types of expertise and skills that are valuable to employers”. Education in the animal sciences and animal agriculture are providing the learning experiences both in and outside the classroom that are fun and lead to a rewarding career in agriculture. 
  

Faculty Highlights

Dr. Noah Litherland

Dr. Noah Litherland received his Ph.D. in 2006 from the University of Illinois with the thesis titled, “Dry period nutrition and hepatic metabolism of fatty acids and glucose in transition dairy cows”. Noah’s inspiration for understanding nutrition and metabolism in the transition cow was sparked by his mentors (Drs. Jim Drackley and Mike Hutjens) as well as his work as the evening maternity ward supervisor at the U of IL dairy from 2003-2006.

Noah served as dairy extension specialist with a 70% extension/30% teaching appointment at Oklahoma State University (2006-2008). There he served as the curriculum chair for the first Southern Great Plains Dairy Teaching Consortium, taught advanced dairy cattle management, coached the dairy judging and dairy challenge teams, and oversaw the dairy teaching and research center. 

Noah joined the faculty at the U of M’s Department of Animal Science in the fall of 2008 as dairy cattle nutritionist with a 50% research/50% extension appointment. Litherland partners with the dairy nutrition industry, dairy producers, fellow extension colleagues, and faculty in animal science, veterinary medicine, and agronomy to develop practical solutions to challenges facing the Minnesota dairy industry.

Currently Noah’s research and extension program focuses on exploration of prepartum nutritional strategies to improve postpartum performance and health in dairy cows, and novel feeding and management of nursery calves. Prepartum dairy cow nutrition investigations include moderate energy high forage dry cow diets (wheat straw vs. grass hay), prepartum feeding amount (ad libitum vs. restricted), supplemental carbohydrate source (starch vs. sugar), and subclinical milk fever prevention strategies. Noah’s nursery calf research includes evaluation of feeding frequency (2 vs. 4 times daily), feed additives for antibiotic replacement, and winter feeding strategies. Litherland recently submitted a USDA grant to identify on-farm factors constraining colostrum yield and quality. 

Additional research areas of interest include on-farm precision feeding, corn silage quality and digestibility, exploration of novel byproducts, and feeding strategies to improve energy balance in early lactation. Noah has also dabbled in the area of feeding behavior in cows and nursery calves. All of Noah’s work would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of his graduate students (Alanna Kmicikewycz and Bill Weich), visiting scientist (Dayane Lobao), the Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Facility staff and students, and his faculty mentors (Drs. Reneau, Stern, and Foster). 

Noah co-chairs the Minnesota Nutrition Conference, Carver County Dairy Expo, and Minnesota Dairy Days, and he is a guest lecturer for CVM 6134 and ANSC 4604. Noah is married to Melissa (M.S. in animal behavior) and has two daughters (Nina, 6 and Elana, 4). Noah’s favorite hobbies are talking to his daughters about science, and farming with his Mom and Dad back in Illinois.
  

News and Announcements

Pasture Management Program for Horse Owners Now Offered
Source: Krishona Martinson, U of M Extension Equine Specialist

Well-managed pastures can go a long way in meeting the nutrient requirements of most horses. Horses grazing off productive pastures can save owners significant money. Forage grazed from pastures is about a third of the cost compared to baled hay. Proper pasture management also promotes overall horse health by minimizing the risk of colic, laminitis, and ingestion of toxic plants, as well as reducing environmental concerns such as soil erosion and waste runoff. 

Beginning in the spring of 2011, the U of M will offer a pasture management program aimed at optimizing the utilization of Minnesota horse pastures. Participation in the program includes: two farm visits by a U of M specialist, a satellite image of the farm, soil analysis, soil fertility recommendations, forage quality analysis and plant species identification, poisonous plant identification, weed control recommendations, pasture productivity estimations, an overall facilities assessment, as well as manure management recommendations. Each farm will receive a customized pasture management plan, fact sheets and supplemental information, as well as phone and email support. 

The program is limited to 40 farms located in central and eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, and will run May through October, 2011. The cost of the program is $650.

For additional information, please contact Jennifer Earing, Ph.D. (612-624-7455). On-line registration is available at www.regonline.com/EquinePasture.

Media Contact: Julie Christensen, U of M Extension (612-626-4077).
 

Golombeski Nominated for IIC Pinnacle Award

Greg Golombeski, who received his Ph.D. in Animal Sciences in December 2010, was nominated for an IIC Pinnacle Award for 2011. The Pinnacle Award program was initiated in 2004 as a way for the International Ingredient Corporation (IIC) to recognize the most outstanding graduate students in the field of animal nutrition. Winners will be announced with a presentation to occur at the IIC Pinnacle Award banquet to be held during the ASAS/ADSA annual meeting.

Congratulations on your nomination, Greg!
  

U of M Fairs Well at National Dairy Challenge

Courtney Heuer, Brenda Reiter, Brandon Thesing and Abby Udermann represented the U of M in the 10th North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge® (NAIDC) held March 31-April 2 in Hickory, NC. They were coached by Dr. Marcia Endres. Over the past 10 years, this innovative dairy educational program has helped prepare over 3,000 students for careers in the dairy industry. The 10th annual contest attracted a total of 127 college students from 30 schools across the United States and Canada. It was organized by North Carolina State University and Virginia Tech.

Teams put their textbook knowledge to the ultimate test — actual consulting for dairies. The two-day contest started with a walk-through of an operating dairy, analysis of farm data and a question-answer session with owners. Then each team developed recommendations for nutrition, reproduction, milking procedures, animal health, housing and financial management. The teams presented recommendations to herd owners while being evaluated by a panel of five judges including dairy producers, veterinarians and industry personnel. The U of M team gave a very professional presentation and brought home a Gold Award.

Congratulations team!

In the photo at right are (front row, L-R) Courtney Heuer, Brandon Thesing and Abby Udermann; (back row, L-R) Brenda Reiter and Coach Marcia Endres.

Large Group of Producers Attended Swine AI Course

The day and a half Swine Artificial Insemination (AI) course held March 31-April 1 at the Southern ROC in Waseca was at full capacity with pork producers, owners, managers and technicians in attendance. The first day of the program consisted of classroom presentations and activities explaining concepts related to anatomy and physiology of the sow and boar, feeding management and nutrition for the breeding herd, health management, heat detection, artificial insemination techniques and systems, and semen collection and handling. U of M faculty Sam Baidoo, Mark Whitney and Peter Davies taught the course along with assistance from Dean Compart of Compart’s Boar Store. On the 2nd day of the course, participants went to the Southern ROC sow facility to put into practice the concepts they learned through hands-on activities.

The course, which is conducted annually at either the Waseca or Morris swine units, was again very successful with many participants asking about when the next training course would be held. The Swine AI course is part of a series of production management courses called the Swine Training Program that is conducted through the cooperation of U of M Swine Extension and the Minnesota Pork Board.
 
  

Turkey To Go Opens at Target Field for 2011 MN Twins Season
Source: Lara Durben, MTGA

Turkey To Go, known for its concession at the Minnesota State Fair, mobile food truck in downtown Minneapolis and full service catering, debuted a Turkey To Go concession at Target Field during the home opener on April 8.

“We are really excited about the opportunity to introduce more people to Turkey To Go and Minnesota’s turkey farmers,” said Steve Olson, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA), the organization that owns the Turkey To Go concession at the State Fair. “This will be a great venue to provide Twins fans with delicious, high quality Minnesota-grown turkey. It’s really a perfect fit for us and we look forward to joining the Target Field team.”

Target Field’s Turkey To Go concession is located on the main concourse behind home plate and will exclusively feature Turkey To Go’s famous Giant Juicy Turkey Sandwich, a slow roasted pulled turkey sandwich piled high on an extra soft bun.

“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase one of many excellent products Turkey To Go offers,” said Danny Perkins of Turkey To Go. “Our Executive Chef, Tim Malloy, features new gourmet concepts regularly at our mobile food truck and handles all catering requests from office meetings to large weddings. You can even rent our food truck for special events.”

About Turkey To Go:
Turkey To Go has been serving up turkey since 1959 at the Minnesota State Fair (currently located next to the “All-You-Can-Drink-Milk” concession). In 2010, Turkey To Go expanded by launching a mobile food truck (located at South 8th and Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis). Turkey To Go also offers full-service catering for office meetings, food-truck rental for special events, and gourmet custom menus for large events. Turkey To Go is owned by the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA). Look for more information on Turkey To Go website.
  

MTGA Executive Director Honored for 10 Years of Service
Source: Lara Durben, MTGA

Steve Olson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA), was honored for his 10 years of service and employment at the MTGA annual meeting in St. Paul, MN, on March 16th.

“I’ve gotten to know Steve well over the past several years and MTGA is lucky to have him working on our behalf,” said 2010-11 MTGA President Kent Meschke of Little Falls, MN. “We thank him for all the time and effort he puts forth in his position as executive director. His leadership and direction is crucial to the success of MTGA and Minnesota’s turkey industry.”

As chief operating office of MTGA and the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council (MTRPC), Olson oversees MTGA’s legislative and regulatory affairs, financial management, human resources, membership relations, and maintaining liaison activities with other commodity groups, the U of M, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, National Turkey Federation, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI). He also assists the MTGA/MTRPC Board of Directors in developing its action plans and seeing those plans implemented at a staff level. Finally, he serves as Executive Director of the Midwest Poultry Federation (MPF) and the Broiler and Egg Association of Minnesota (BEAM).

Olson holds B.S. degrees in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Education from the U of M. He is also a graduate of the Minnesota Agricultural and Rural Leadership Program (MARL) and a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional.

Prior to MTGA, Steve most recently was employed as General Manager of AURI serving 22 counties in southwestern Minnesota. In this position, he worked with entrepreneurs, existing businesses and commodity groups on new technology and new product ideas that add value to agricultural commodities. Furthermore, Steve worked for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in Ag Planning and Development, and he was a staff person working with the Feedlot and Manure Management Committee (FMMAC) and co-chaired the FMMAC Livestock Odor Task Force.  
  

2011 MPF Convention Deemed a Success
Source: Lara Durben, MTGA

Attendance at the 2011 Midwest Poultry Federation (MPF) Convention was approximately 1,900 this year. The show featured an exhibit floor with over 350 booths and educational workshops with over 40 speakers from around the world.

“We felt a lot of enthusiasm on the show floor this year, especially since we celebrated the convention’s 40th anniversary,” said MPF’s outgoing president David Holmgren of Butterfield Foods, Butterfield, MN. “We were very pleased with the turnout and we look forward to building upon our successes for the 2012 convention.”

The MPF Convention, held annually in March in St. Paul, MN, offers cutting-edge information to attendees through a balanced offering of exhibits and educational workshops for the turkey, egg layer, broiler and organic/specialty poultry industries.

Order the Proceedings:
Proceedings from the 2011 MPF Convention are available for purchase. The Proceedings features information gathered from most of the speakers at this year’s Convention. Topics cover all aspects of poultry production and processing. The cost of the Proceedings on CD-ROM is $25, which includes shipping. To purchase a Proceedings, contact the Theresa at the MPF Office (phone: 763-682-2171), or send a check payable to the Midwest Poultry Federation, 108 Marty Drive, Buffalo, MN 55313.

Dates of Next Year's Conference:
The 41st MPF Convention will be held on March 13-15, 2012 at Saint Paul RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul, MN. The show will feature a pre-show nutrition symposium and Welcome Reception on March 13 and exhibits and educational sessions on March 14-15. Also held in conjunction with the 2012 MPF Convention will be the North Central Avian Disease Conference, scheduled for March 12-13 at Saint Paul RiverCentre. Further details on the 2012 show will be available later this year. For more information, visit MPF’s website.

Suggestions regarding educational workshop content are welcome. Please direct all general questions and requests for information to MPF Program Director Lara Durben (phone: 763-682-2171; fax 763-682-5546).

Potential exhibitors may contact MPF Exhibits Manager Theresa Neddermeyer (763-682-2171) at any time to get on the mailing list and/or inquire about booth space.
  

Norman Borlaug Documentary to Air

Twin Cities Public Television (tpt 2) is broadcasting a documentary on Dr. Norman Borlaug’s life titled “Freedom from Famine: The Norman Borlaug Story”. The documentary examines the life of an unlikely Nobel Peace Prize winner, the son of an Iowa farmer, who once failed the admissions exam for the U of M and who became known as the Father of the Green Revolution.

The documentary airs:

Monday, April 11 - 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 12 - 3:00 a.m.
Sunday, April 17 - noon

A DVD of the documentary along with supporting classroom and service-learning curricula materials are available at no cost from the "Hunger Fighters" program supported by the Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition. The mission of this program is to "educate viewers of all ages about the life, work and views of Dr. Borlaug, and inspire others to follow in his footsteps to help bring food security to the world."
  

Ag Awareness Day is April 19

The 2nd Annual Ag Awareness Day, hosted by the U of M Ag Education Club, will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. This event will take place on Church Street on the U of M East Bank Campus in Minneapolis. Ag Awareness Day will feature live farm animals, Minnesota agricultural industry exhibits, educational displays, and activities for kids.

This year’s event is co-chaired by Jason Kaare and Theresa Twohey, and Caitlin Kasper and Kristen Wingert are serving as Public Relations co-chairs.

Organizations participating in Ag Awareness Day include the U of M College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), Minnesota Farmer’s Union, Minnesota Corn Growers, Minnesota Agricultural Water Resources Coalition, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, U of M Extension’s Minnesota 4-H, Minnesota Pork Board, Minnesota Turkey Growers, Minnesota Beef Council, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Midwest Dairy Association, Minnesota Buffalo Association, Minnesota Soybean Growers, Cooperative Network, and Minnesota State Rabbit Breeders Association.

Special thanks to Coca-Cola for the grant that supports this event.
  

Celebrating the U!

Celebrate the U, our alumni, and outgoing President Robert Bruininks and First Lady Susan Hagstrum at a reception and program sponsored by the U of M Alumni Association on Tuesday, May 3.

The 2011 Alumni Association's Annual Celebration begins with hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, music, and the opportunity to mingle at a cocktail reception in the Carlson School of Management Atruim beginning at 5:30 p.m.

A special program will be held at Ted Mann Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. The program will highlight the important accomplishments resulting from alumni support and the achievements of President Bruininks, the University's 15th president.

Additional information including ticket prices can be found on the Alumni Association's "Celebrating the U" website.

  

Animal Ag Alliance Stakeholders Summit

"United We Eat: Securing Animal Agriculture's Future" is the theme of the 10th annual Stakeholders Summit taking place on May 5-6, 2011, in Arlington, VA. This event, hosted by Animal Agriculture Alliance, will bring together food and farm industry leaders to reflect on the challenges of the past decade and new opportunities to strengthen agriculture advocacy efforts in the future. The Summit is attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislators, universities, and government agencies.

Jason Shoultz, a founding member of the America's Heartland team, will serve as moderator for the Summit and facilitate discussion between speakers and attendees on the future of food production.

Early registration for the one-and-a-half day event is $325 for Alliance members and $375 for non-members. The Alliance is offering a special rate of $275 for those in government or academia. Rates go up on April 16.

Visit the Stakeholders Summit website for the event schedule and other details or to register on-line.
    

Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association to Sponsor National Goat Expo in 2012
Source: Jen Parrish, PNP Nutrition

The National Goat Exposition committee is proud to announce that the Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association is the newest sponsor for the National Goat Exposition being held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on October 7-11, 2012.

NDGA became a Silver Sponsor of the National Goat Expo at the Board of Directors meeting held in February. NDGA president Donna Geiser states, “We are excited about sponsoring the expo. We are looking forward to letting others in the goat community know that NDGA is a customer service oriented registry that promotes the heritage of the Nigerian breed, and that we are keeping the integrity of breed by promoting the smaller size for dairy, show and pet quality animals.”

In addition to being Silver Sponsors, NDGA will be conducting three seminars at the expo. NDGA wants to help new breeders and goat owners learn more about how well suited the Nigerian breed is for self-sufficient lifestyle, whether it be for milking, showing or just as a companion animal. A seminar on the basics of milk testing and the benefits of doing one day and 305 day test to evaluate your herd will also be held along with a seminar on how to use goat’s milk to make lotion.

NDGA will be hosting two separate sanctioned shows at the expo. In addition, they are holding their winter board meeting during the National Goat Exposition. Board member Ann Alecock said, “We are thrilled to be a part of the expo and having all of the board members there will help us promote our organization and the wonderful Nigerian goat breed.”

The National Goat Exposition Committee looks forward to working with NDGA in promoting their organization and welcomes them aboard. To learn more about NDGA, visit their website at www.NDGA.org.

OCTOBER 7-11, 2012

For more information about the National Goat Expo, please call Jen Parrish at 515-402-6124 or visit on the National Goat Exposition website.

Take a look at the Sponsor Brochure for information on the different sponsorship levels available. The Vendor Prices Brochure provides information on Vendor Booths.
  

MN, IL, IA, WI to Present Four-State Dairy Conference

The Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference will take place June 8-9, 2011, at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, IA. This annual event is presented by the Extension services of the University of Minnesota, University of Illinois, University of Iowa, and University of Wisconsin.

This year's pre-conference technical symposium, Role of Immune System in Animal Health, is sponsored by Prince Agri Products. Biomin and ADM are co-sponsoring a breakfast session entitled Mycotoxin Madness: Sensible Approaches to a Permanent Problem.

On day 1 of the conference, a general session will feature presentations on feeding high forage rations (Larry Chase, Cornell), and evaluating and improving starch digestibility (Pat Hoffman, U of WI). Dairy producers Dana Allen (MN) and Ron Olson (WI) will address Pushing the Limits on Milk Production in a panel discussion moderated by Mike Hutjens (U of IL). Breakout sessions include feeding lower crude protein rations, bunk management and behavior, controlling variation with precision feeding applications, ventilation in retro-fitted calf barns, predicting illness through cow behavior changes, nutritional strategies and heat stress, and precision feeding.

On day 2 of the conference, the plenary session will include presentations on reducing between-cow variation in nutrient intake through feed bunk management (Trevor De Vries, Guelph) and on cow comfort for transition cows (Ken Nordlund, U of WI). Breakout sessions will include ventilation in calf barns, dairy cow behavior, robotic milking, genomics, nutrition strategies for heat stress, and precision feeding.

For more information, see the conference brochure or visit the Wisconsin Agri-Services Association website, or contact Marcia Endres (612-624-5391).
 

Veteran Herdsman Slim Hokanson Dies at Age 100

Walter “Slim” Hokanson passed away on April 5, 2011, just 4 days short of his 101st birthday. Slim was a long-time employee at the West Central School of Agriculture and Experiment Station, which is now the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC), in Morris, MN.

Slim was raised on a farm near Evansville, MN. He graduated from the West Central School of Agriculture in 1930. In 1934, Slim married Lily Anderson, a school teacher. They raised 4 children together.

Slim’s nearly 45-year career as a dairy herdsman started at the West Central School of Agriculture and Experiment Station the day after graduation. He was very capable, hardworking, and held in highest regard by his U of M peers and a large array of Ag School students and full time employees. As a sideline business, Slim took up beekeeping and had as many as 600 colonies. He processed the honey under the business name of Elm Ridge Apiary.

Following his retirement, a whole new list of interests arose. He became a Master Gardener for the U of M specializing in evergreens and mums. He began an avid walking and running program and ran his first 10K at the age of 72. Later he switched to biking and once took a 10-day trip in the Black Hills with Jim Klobuchar, biking 500 miles in one week. His extensive cream separator collection numbering over 200 required its own building and showcased his interest in dairy. At the WCROC Centennial Field Day in 2010, Slim demonstrated a cream separator at work.

Slim is preceded in death by his wife, his parents (Nellie and Olaf), one brother (Lloyd), two sisters (Josephine and Gladys). Funeral services were held April 9 at First Lutheran Church in Morris.
  

Graduate Student Profile

Amy Hazel

Amy Hazel is a Junior Scientist working on a dairy cattle crossbreeding study including more than 10,000 dairy cows over an 8-year period in 10 commercial dairies in Minnesota. The project will compare pure Holsteins to crossbreds in a 3-breed rotational system using the Holstein, Montbeliarde, and Swedish Red breeds. The trial is now in its third year, and so Amy is working at tracking heifer fertility and survival, calving, and early production statistics of the crossbred and pure Holstein cows that are now calving first time this spring. Amy is especially interested in this topic area because of the opportunity to research the impact of crossbreeding on cattle health and survival.

Amy is also in the final stages of finishing up a Masters degree in Animal Science where she has been studying crossbreeding in the campus dairies at St. Paul and West Central ROC at Morris. She is advised by Dr. Les Hansen. Her thesis will include feed efficiency, body dimensions, production, reproduction, and survival of Montbeliarde-sired crossbred cows compared to pure Holsteins. 

Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, scrapbooking, exercising, gardening on her patio, and cross-country skiing during the winter months. On weekends, she can often be found at her family’s farm in Lanesboro, MN, where she enjoys working with calves and transition cows, and also taking care of the herd’s genetics program. 
  

Congratulations!

Jodi Nelson, Senior Laboratory Services Coordinator, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Division of FANS, is the recipient of the 2011 CFANS Alumni Service Award. Jodi was honored on April 12th at Borealis Night of Excellence, an annual event co-sponsored by CFANS Student Board and CFANS Alumni Society that celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of student, alumni, faculty and staff leaders.
  

Recent Grants

    No new grants have been reported this month.
  

Calendar of Events

- April 2011 -

2 - 10th Annual Classes Without Quizzes, U of M St. Paul Campus.

3-9 - 95th Annual Minnesota Royal, U of M St. Paul Campus.

5-6 - 2011 Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Conference, Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI. Contact: Hugh Chester Jones, 507-837-5618.

6-7 - Egg Industry Center's Egg Industry Issues Forum, Columbus, OH.

12 - 5th Annual Borealis Night of Excellence, 105 Cargill Building, U of M St. Paul Campus,

13 - Women's Ag Leadership Conference, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN. Contact: Doris Mold, 715-822-6347.

13 - Poultry Agent Testing Training Course, Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center in Alexandria, MN. Contact: Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory, 320-231-5170. Registration and advance payment REQUIRED by April 8.

15-16 - U of M Pre-Veterinary Conference, St. Paul, MN. Contact: Channing Sebo.

19 - 2nd Annual Ag Awareness Day, Church Street, U of M Minneapolis Campus. Contact: Jason Kaare.

29 - CFANS Graduate Student Commencement (2:00 p.m.), Mariucci Arena, U of M Minneapolis Campus. Questions may be directed to your Director of Graduate Studies, DGS Assistant, or Lisa Wiley.

- May 2011 -

1-3 - State FFA Convention.

3 - U of M Alumni Association Annual Celebration. Reception: Carlson School of Management Atrium, 5:30 p.m.; Program: Ted Mann Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m. Contact: Alumni Association, 612-625-9173.

7 - Minnesota Meat Goat Producers Expo, Washington County Fairgrounds, Lake Elmo, MN.

7 - Shepherd's Harvest Sheep & Wool Festival, Washington County Fairgrounds, Lake Elmo, MN.

13 - CFANS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony (7:00-9:00 p.m.), Mariucci Arena, U of M Minneapolis Campus.

26 - Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture Awards Ceremony. For more information, email siehlprz@umn.edu.

30 - U of M (Twin Cities) is closed for Memorial Day.

- June 2011 -

3 - Provost's Scholarship Open Golf Tournament, U of M Golf Course.

8-9 - Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference, Grand River Center, Dubuque, IA. Minnesota contact: Marcia Endres, 612-624-5391.

8-10 - MTGA Summer Meeting, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Red Wing, MN. Contact: Melissa Schuldt, 763-682-2171.

14-16 - Iowa Turkey Federation Summer Meeting, Des Moines, IA. Contact: Sheila Larson, 515-232-7492.

- July 2011 -

10-14 - ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.

24-26 - National Turkey Federation Summer Leadership Conference, Washington, D.C. Contact: Jen Zukowski, 202-898-0100.

- September 2011 -

13-15 - Iowa Poultry Association Fall Festival, West Des Moines Marriott Hotel, West Des Moines, IA. Phone: 515-727-4701.

20-21 - 72nd Annual Minnesota Nutrition Conference, Holiday Inn, Owatonna, MN. Contact: Noah Litherland, 612-624-6789.

- October 2011 -

4-8 - World Dairy Expo, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI. Tel: 608-224-6455; Email: wde@wdexpo.com.