AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science

December 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

It’s December!!! It is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of the fall semester 2011 and looking toward the beginning of a New Year and spring semester 2012. Everywhere I look, students and faculty alike are busily working trying to get it all done before the end of the year overtakes us. I am amazed at how fast time flies, but am gratified when I see all that the students, staff and faculty of the department have accomplished individually and together this past year. As the year winds down, we also remember that we say goodbye to three of our valued and beloved colleagues: Jim Linn, Doug Foster and Linda Foster. We wish them well and hope they remain connected with us.

It is a busy and exciting time as we cap off what we planned to accomplish this year and are making plans for the next year. Thanks to everyone and all you have done to make this the conclusion of a great year and the beginning of an even greater new year!

As the year comes to a close, we are planning our Winterfest party (December 15), and we hope you will come and join us to catch up with old and new friends alike. Help us celebrate a year of great accomplishments.

I wish to extend our warmest wishes and thoughts to everyone for a wonderful Holiday Season and prosperous New Year! We are grateful to those who allow us to serve them and to all those who contribute to the great mission of the Department of Animal Science.

Happy Holidays and New Year!
 

Faculty Highlights

Yuzhi Li

Dr. Yuzhi Li received her Ph.D. degree from the Hiroshima University in Japan with a specialization in animal environmental physiology and behavior. Before coming to North America, Dr. Li was a lecturer, associate professor, and professor with the Department of Animal Science of the Northeast Agricultural University in China. Her first stops in North America were at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and the Prairie Swine Center in Saskatchewan, Canada where she worked on improving feed efficiency of beef cattle in cold regions, and swine behavior and welfare as affected by housing and management.

Dr. Li joined the Department of Animal Science of the University of Minnesota in 2005 as an assistant professor of alternative swine production with emphasis on behavior and welfare. She has a 75% research and 25% outreach appointment and is located at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) in Morris.

Dr. Li’s research focuses on improving welfare and performance of swine in different housing systems. Reducing piglet mortality in group-farrowing systems, minimizing aggression in group-housed gestating sows, and effects of previous housing on behavioral development and performance of pigs are three areas of her current research. The research projects she has led during the past few years include association between maternal fear and piglet mortality in group-farrowing systems, supplementation of tryptophan to reduce aggression among gestating sows, managing young sows in group-housing systems, and effects of group-farrowing system on behavior and performance of growing and finishing pigs.

Recently, Li was awarded a grant by the National Pork Board for a project entitled "Protecting low ranking sows in group gestation housing systems". This 18-month project will provide an assistantship to a graduate student. In addition to publishing her research in peer-reviewed journals, Li also delivers her research results to swine producers by giving talks at seminars and field days, lecturing at workshops, and mentoring alternative farmers. She recently co-organized and lectured a workshop on managing sows and piglets in a bedded group-farrowing system at the WCROC, which attracted about 20 producers and extension educators from three states—Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Li is a trainer of Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and a supervisor of Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification programs. Furthermore, Li serves as the editor of the Swine Behavior and Welfare Domain of the Pig Information Gateway for the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence (USPCE). She is a member of the Midwest ASAS Animal Welfare Session Planning Committee and is the University of Minnesota representative on two multi-state projects: W2173 - Impacts of Stress Factors on Performance, Health and Well-being of Farm Animals, and NCCC209 - Bioethics.

After work, Li enjoys spending time with her son, an 8th grader, on reading, hiking, watching movies, dining out, shopping and working in their backyard. 
      

News and Announcements

U of M Dairy Cattle Judging Team Finishes Fall Season with Win at Louisville

The U of M placed 1st overall (out of 16 teams) in the collegiate dairy cattle judging contest held November 7 in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition at Louisville, KY. In addition to placing 1st overall, the team was 1st in oral reasons (by a 12-point margin), 1st in Guernsey, and 1st in Holstein.

Team members Jayne Esch (River Falls, WI), Theresa Twohey (Stewartville, MN), David Hanson (Goodridge, MN), and Jacob Achen (Sauk Centre, MN) are all students in their junior year at the U of M. Achen and Hanson are majoring in Animal Science, Towhey in Agricultural Education, Esch in French and Political Science.

Individually, Esch was 1st overall, 1st in oral reasons, 1st in Jersey, 2nd in Guernsey, 2nd in Holstein, and 7th in Jersey. Twohey placed 8th overall, 8th in reasons, 3rd in Guernsey, and 8th in Brown Swiss. Hanson was 10th overall, 7th in reasons, and 3rd in Holstein, and Achen placed 12th overall, 7th in Holstein, and 9th in Guernsey. Dr. Les Hansen, Scott Ellinghuysen, and Alicia Thurk serve as coaches of the U of M teams.

The U of M's junior team placed 1st of 16 teams in the collegiate dairy cattle judging contest at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY (L-R): Jacob Achen, David Hanson, Jayne Esch, Theresa Twohey, and Dr. Les Hansen.
  

Minnesota 4-Hers Participate in National Poultry and Egg Conference

At the 2011 National Poultry and Egg Conference held November 16-17, 2011 in Louisville, KY, Minnesota 4-Hers participated in the Turkey and Chicken BBQs, Egg Preparation Demonstration, Poultry Judging contests as well as the Avian Bowl.

Lauren Hopke from St. Augusta, MN placed 4th in the Turkey BBQ contest; August Otto from Delano placed 7th in the Chicken BBQ contest; Harry Londeen from Eden Prairie placed 8th in the Egg Preparation demonstration contest.

The Avian Bowl team did not place in the top 10. Members of the Avian Bowl team are Jill Cihlar from Glenwood, Zoey Gustafson from Starbuck, Jared Sorenson from Brooten, and Megen Wey from Garfield.

The Poultry Judging team placed 17th overall. Team members are Kristina Allen from Rochester, Quinn Jaeger from Red Wing, Chaley Hohrman from Northfield, and Mary Boyle from Otsego. Patrick Meyer from Faribault competed as an individual in the Poultry Judging contest.

The National Poultry and Egg Conference gives 4-Hers from all over the country the opportunity to compete in educational events that help them learn to make and defend decisions, speak publicly, and gain poultry-related skills. The conference also introduces participants to careers in the poultry and allied industries.
  

Dairy Team Visits Farms in Minnesota and Iowa

The Dairy Extension Team had another successful annual Professional Development Tour on November 9-10, 2011. This year the team visited sites in southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa. Although six team members had previous commitments or last minute conflicts, nine members were able to participate.

The tour started at Newport Laboratories in Worthington, MN, where Dr. Russ Bey (formerly with U of M Vet School) is the Director of Research. There the team learned much about autogenous vaccines for cattle and swine. They are produced with the highest quality control and have advantages over conventional commercial vaccines.

The next stop on the tour was Blue Mound Dairy in Luverne, MN. Honored for six consecutive years with the Milk Quality Award, they are industry leaders in milk quality with a bulk tank SCC average of just 112,000 for their 1,000-cow herd. They also lead the industry in reproductive performance and are able to maintain a rolling herd average of 28,500 pounds with nearly all home-grown forages.

The third stop of the tour was at Dykstra Dairy with about 3,000 cows, and top notch management and facilities. They moved to Maurice, IA from Chino, CA in 2003.

The team was highly impressed with Dykstra’s calf facility (the fourth stop), which was built in 2010. Baby calves are fed with automated calf feeders in groups of 20 per pen. Pens are bedded with straw and the barns are ventilated very well. Calves looked very health and were very playful (see photo at right). Seeing this makes your day!

On November 10th, the team visited Trans Ova Genetics in Sioux Center, IA. Trans Ova provides industry-leading reproductive technologies and expertise to cattle breeders. One of the hosts was John Metzger, former U of M graduate student and now manager of Farm Operations and Quality Assurance at Trans Ova. Reproductive technologies such as embryo transfer, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), sexed-semen, genetic preservation, and cloning are considered the reproductive “tools” available for breeders looking to achieve specific breeding and reproductive goals.

Just before lunch the team met Gary Vande Vegte, an accountant working with many dairies in the region including some in Minnesota, for a very informative discussion about the financial aspects of dairy operations.

In the afternoon, the team made their last stop on the tour at Van Ess Dairy in Sanborn, IA. The Van Ess family and some of their employees moved from Idaho to Sanborn, IA in 2008. They have a cross-ventilated barn covering 9.8 acres housing over 3,000 head of cattle. The 439’ x 1000’ building includes one hundred twenty 52-inch fans all installed on the north side of the building. Cows looked quite comfortable and the barn was really quiet.

All farms on the tour were using recycled sand for bedding and sand settling lanes to recover the sand. The entire trip was very educational and team members indicated they had an enjoyable time. 

Photo: Members of the Dairy Extension Team (L-R) - Marcia Endres, Craig Roerick, Brad Heins, Randy Pepin, Jeff Reneau (front row); Neil Broadwater, Chuck Schwartau, Hugh Chester-Jones, Jim Salfer (back row).
  

Japanese Dairy Producers Visit Minnesota Dairies

In cooperation with U of M Extension and the Tokachi Farm Burean, seventeen Hokkaido dairy producers traveled to Minnesota in October to tour successful dairy farms. The tour provided opportunities for Japanese producers to view many different aspects of dairy production in Minnesota. The goal was for Japanese producers to learn success and challenges from Minnesota dairy producers, and, in turn, take back information to Japan to improve their operations. 

Brad Heins traveled with the Japanese visitors to view grazing operations, calf-rearing facilities, large-confinement operations, and operations with methane digesters. The group also had the chance to view the U of M Research facilities at the Southern and West Central ROCs. The group also experienced a little American culture by visiting the Mall of America.

The dairies that hosted the Japanese dairy producers included Bomaz Farms (Hammond, WI), New Sweden Dairy (Nicollet, MN), Durst Brothers Dairy (Mantorville, MN), Twin Eagle Dairy (Clarissa, MN), Rainbow Acres calf facility (Swanville, MN), New Heights Dairy (Rice, MN), Jer-Lindy farm (Brooten, MN), Riverview Dairy LLP (Morris, MN), as well as the Southern and West Central ROCs.

The photos below were taken while visiting with Dr. Hugh Chester-Jones at the Southern ROC and with the Jerry and Linda Jennissen family farm near Brooten, MN.

 

WCROC Named Outstanding Conservationist for 2011

The West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) in Morris was named Outstanding Conservationist for 2011 by the Stevens County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). This recognition was based on the ROC's programs in horticulture, water quality, renewable energy, dairy, swine, and crop production. Staff at the WCROC conduct research in the areas of native grass biomass, wind-generated electricity for nitrogen fertilizer production, odor control with biofilters on swine barns, composting livestock mortalities, conservation tillage for row-crop production, grazing dairy cows on permanent pastures, and water quality testing of agricultural field and storm water run-off. The WCROC will receive the Outstanding Conservationist award at the annual state convention of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Bloomington on December 6. Read more about it in the Fall 2011 issue of SWCD Conservation News.

Congratulations to the WCROC!
    

It's A Retirement Party!

We'll bid adieu to our friends, Doug and Linda Foster, with roasts and toasts at a retirement celebration in 365 Haecker Hall on Thursday, December 8 at 3:00 p.m. Please join us in congratulating Doug and Linda as they set out on a new adventure.

Anyone interested in contributing to roasts, toasts or a gift fund, may contact Dana Souther (south005@umn.edu) prior to December 8.
  

Winterfest is December 15

Friends, family, students, alumni, faculty and staff, please join us for Winterfest-2011 on Thursday, December 15th. The Department of Animal Science celebrates our wonderful Minnesota winter each year with a pot-luck meal. The place to be is Haecker Hall, Room 365, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Please bring a dish to share. Suggestions for sharing: students and staff bring salads, veggies or sides, and faculty bring desserts. The Department will provide meat and beverages.

See you at Winterfest!
 

Congratulations to Dr. Jim Linn!

Professor Emeritus Jim Linn was honored by the Minnesota Milk Producers Association (MMPA) at Midwest Dairy Expo in St. Cloud on November 29th. Jim received the Bruce Cottington Friend of Dairy Award in recognition of his lifelong dedication and service to Minnesota dairy producers.

Pat Lunemann, MMPA President and a dairy producer himself, presented the award noting the many achievements that Jim has made during his career. “But, as you all know,” said Lunemann, “Jim is not a person of accolades and accomplishments.  He is all about the people he served – dairy farmers. His true dedication of service to Minnesota dairy farmers is without reproach.”

MMPA awarded the first ever Friend of Dairy Award to Bruce Cottington in 2006. Since then, the name of the award has been changed in honor of Bruce Cottington's name and legacy. Jim is the second recipient of the award with the new name.

  

Neil Broadwater Announces Retirement

Neil Broadwater, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, announces his retirement effective December 31, 2011 after 36 years with U of M Extension. 

Neil has served as Regional Extension Educator for Dairy programs since January 2004, with his office in Rochester, MN. From July 2002 to December 2003 he was County Extension Director for Houston and Winona Counties. From April 1978 to June 2002 he served as County Extension Director/Educator for Winona County. He started his Extension career as County 4-H Agent in Waseca County, serving from January 1976 to March 1978. He received his Master of Education degree in 1985 and was promoted to the U of M Academic rank of "Professor" in July of 1989.

Throughout his career, Neil has held several leadership positions in Extension professional organizations over the years including the National Program Recognition Council Chair of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) from 2004 to 2007; National Chair, NACAA Recognition and Awards Committee, 2001 to 2004; and National Chair of the 1995 NACAA Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference held in Bloomington, MN. He has also served as President of the Minnesota chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, President of the Minnesota Association of County Agricultural Agents, and President of the Minnesota Association of Extension Agents. 

Neil has received a number of awards during his career including Epsilon Sigma Phi’s Continued Excellence Recognition Award, 2010; Epsilon Sigma Phi’s Distinguished Service Award, 2005; Winona County Fair Hall of Fame, 1993; National Association of County Agricultural Agents Distinguished Service Award, 1991; Winona County ADA Milk Pitcher Award for Outstanding Service to the Dairy Industry, 1990; and the Winona Soil and Water Conservation District Distinguished Service Award, 1983.

During his nearly 8 years as Extension Educator for Dairy programs at the Regional Extension Center in Rochester, Neil has served as editor for all Dairy Extension Team articles (4 per month) published in the Dairy Star newspaper. He has written several articles for Dairy Star as well. He helped develop the Dairy Extension Team’s website and has been responsible for its content. He has written a number of fact sheets including co-authoring fact sheets based on dairy calf research trials at the Southern ROC in Waseca. Furthermore, Neil developed 8 PowerPoint presentations which are posted on the U of M Dairy Extension website.

A retirement celebration of Neil's career will take place on Friday, December 2, 4:30-8:00 p.m. at the Regional Extension Center in the Heintz Center Building at 1926 College View Road SE in Rochester. A program will take place at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served. If interested in attending, please contact Mary Jane Stearns (507-536-6310).

Congratulations, Neil. You will be missed!
     

There's Still Time to Register for the Grazing Video Conference

Register today for the first-ever Grazing Video Conference—an opportunity for graziers and researchers to network and communicate about current and future grazing research needs. This innovative interactive event will be held at five Minnesota locations allowing graziers to attend the location closest to them. Locations include Thief River Falls (Northland Community College), Grand Rapids (NCROC), Lamberton (SWROC), Rochester (Winona State University-Rochester campus), and Staples (Central Lakes College).

The Grazing Video Conference is Thursday, December 8, 2012. On-site registration is $15 and begins at 8:45 a.m. The ‘grazing-edge’ research presentations include:

• Grasses for Minnesota Grazing Systems
  by U of M Extension Forage Agronomist Paul Peterson (presenting from Thief River Falls)
   
• Grazing Management of Annual Ryegrass in Combination with Rape or Turnips Seeded on Cattle Winter Feeding Areas
  by U of M NCROC Agronomist Russ Mathison (presenting from Grand Rapids)
   
• Cycling and Loss of Nutrients in Pastures: There’s No Substitute for Good Management
  by USDA-ARS-DFRC Scientist Michael Russelle (presenting from Lamberton)
   
• Maintaining Pasture Productivity: The Effects of Extent and Timing of Grazing
  by USDA-ARS-DFRC Scientist Geoff Brink (presenting from Rochester)
   
• Silvopasture: An Agroforestry Management Practice for Woodland Grazing
  by U of M Extension Agroforestry Specialist Diomy Zamora (presenting from Staples)
   
• Crossbreeding Dairy Cattle for Improved Milk Production on Pasture
  by U of M WCROC Dairy Scientist Brad Heins (presenting from Staples)
    
• Statewide Grazier Panel (GLCA members presenting from each location)·
    
• MFA, GLCA, and Sponsor Updates (presented from each location)

Pre-registration is available at www.midwestforage.org/grazing.php. For more information, please contact the Midwest Forage Association at 651-484-3888. 
  

Resilient Sustainability: Global Dairy Issues, Now and in the Future

The 7th Annual I-29 Dairy Conference on February 8 and 9, 2012 will feature presentations on the theme "Resilient Sustainability: Global Dairy Issues, Now and in the Future".

The keynote address, "Evolution of the Dairy Checkoff's Strategic Plan, Results, and Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy" on Wednesday evening will be presented by Stan Erwine, Vice President of Producer Relations for Dairy Management, Inc., and Clinton Anderson, Bain and Company, Inc.

The line-up for Thursday (day 2) includes:

• Interpreting Sustainability - Here is What You Said!
  - an interactive session with James Paulson, U of M Extension
   
• European-style Dairy Sustainability - Let Me Show You Your Future, and
  Sustainablity Eurpean-style - How We do it Across the Pond
  - Neil Baker, Bakers Cheddar, Leaze Farm (UK)
   
• Long-range Weather Forecasting - What is the New Climate Norm?
  - Mark Seeley, U of M Department of Soil, Water, and Climate
   
• How Are We Going to Feed Cows in the Future? - Using $10 Corn and $200 Oil
  - David P. Casper, SDSU Department of Dairy Science
   
• Don't Bet the Farm - Overview of Risk Management for Uncertain Times
  - Marin Bozic, U of M Department of Applied Economics
   
• Midwestern Economic Resiliency - How Milk Pricing and Input Cost Implications Affect Me, Now and in the Future
  - producer panel with Marin Bozic, Paul Bertels (National Corn Growers Association), Les Hardesty (U.S. Dairy Export Council), and area dairy producers

On-line registration will be available soon. Please visit the I-29 Dairy Conference website for more information.

The I-29 Dairy Conference is coordinated and hosted by Iowa State University Extension, University of Minnesota Extension, University of Nebraska Extension, North Dakota State University Extension Service, South Dakota State Cooperative Extension Service, Midwest Dairy Association, and Southwest Minnesota Dairy Profit Group.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please contact Alvaro Garcia, SDSU (605-688-5488). 
     

Equine Programs Offered in February

A Draft Horse Owner Education Program will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the Leatherdale Equine Center on the U of M St. Paul Campus. Topics will include Legal Concerns, Conformation, Shivers, Marketing, Roaring, Hay Selection, Nutrition, and In-Hand Showing. Registration is $25. Register on-line by February 15.

The Four-State (MN, NE, IA, MI) Equine Business Conference taking place on Saturday, February 25, 2012 will be offered both on-line and in-person at the U of M's Leatherdale Equine Center. The conference will cover Equine Insurance, Liability, Accounting, and Marketing. The program also includes a local roundtable discussion. Watch for registration information and the agenda on the Horse Extension website.
  

Don't Miss Frenatae's Annual Sale

Frenatae's Annual Sale is an ideal time to stock up on delicious local honey, handmade beeswax candles, insect-dyed scarves, calendars, and note cards. Perfect for great holiday gifts! The sale will be held December 7-9, 2011 at the St. Paul Student Center and in front of the Entomology, Fisheries, and Wildlife Library (EFW; Hodson Hall).

Mark your calendars so you don't miss this chance to purchase products from the U of M Entomology Graduate Student Association. No pre-orders will be taken this year. For more information, visit the Frenatae website.
     

Support the U!

The Annual Legislative Briefing brings together supporters of the University to advocate for University priorities. Learn about the University's legislative agenda and hear President Kaler's vision for the U on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis.

Registration, a light dinner, and cash bar will take place at 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. The program will run from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Please register by January 24.
  

Updates to 2012 National Goat Expo
Source: Jen Parrish, NGE President

The 2012 National Goat Exposition (NGE), taking place October 7-11, 2012 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, will prove to be a great event for goat breeders and enthusiasts alike. The Expo will offer showmanship clinics, shearing and spinning demonstrations, and 4-H activities. Seminars of interest for every goat owner and enthusiast will be held daily over the 5-day event.

An educational seminar series will be held with several workshops being presented under each topic. Below are the seminar series titles and the number of workshops being held under each topic.

• Cutting Edge Technologies for Genetic Improvements of Goats (3)
• Goat Ownership 101
• Goat Nutrition A-Z (5)
• Niche Marketing Demonstrations and Discussions (2)
• Creative Marketing of Goat Products (3)
• Goat Health and Well Being (7)
• Quality Assurance in the Goat Industries (5)

Seminar speakers include Dr. Steve Hart, Goat Specialist at Langston University; Cheryl Smith author of Goats For Dummies; Dr. Curtis Youngs, Iowa State University; Dr. Noah Litherland from the University of Minnesota; and Dr. Paul Plummer, DVM. Additional speakers and goat experts will be giving lectures as well.

For more information on National Goat Expo seminars or show schedule, please visit the NGE website.

Become a Member!
The NGE is now offering memberships. Membership includes discounts for entry fees for the show as well as reduced pen fees. Junior membership for youth to age 19 is $5.00, Adult/individual membership is $10, Family/farm membership is $15.00. Visit the NGE website for more information.

Get Involved!
To learn more about how to become involved in the National Goat Expo, or for information on sponsoring the event, call NGE President Jen Parrish at 515-402-6124 or email president@nationalgoatexpo.org.
  

Graduate Student Profile

Germán Huber

Germán Huber is a first year Animal Science graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in beef cattle nutrition/production who is advised by Dr. Alfredo DiCostanzo. In March of 2001, Germán moved from Argentina to Minnesota as a MAST (Minnesota Agricultural Student Trainee) student. After getting married in 2002, he moved to Houston, TX, where he completed his Veterinarian Technician degree and worked at Houston Community College as a chemistry professor’s assistant and as a vet tech until 2007. In March of 2007, he moved to Argentina for a year, working on his family’s ranch, and as a vet tech in Buenos Aires. The following year, Germán returned to Minnesota where he re-enrolled in the University of Minnesota. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in May of 2010.

Germán grew up Cañada Ombu, Santa Fe, Argentina, where his family farms a 400-cow/calf Braham operation. Germán’s family also raises horses, pigs, and sheep on their ranch in Northern Argentina. Germán’s goal is to improve and promote animal production/genetics in the northern part of his native country.

Outside of school, Germán enjoys spending time his wife Christa, his three-year-old son Mateo, and friends. He also enjoys playing soccer and hunting.
 

Congratulations!

Jeff Reneau is a grandfather again! Jeff's daughter Anne and her husband Tim welcomed their second child, a son, into the family on November 14, 2011. Finn Wilder Reneau-Major, 8 pounds and 20.5 inches, is baby brother to Amae Isabelle who will be 3 years old in January. (See photo of Finn with Amae.)
  

Recent Grants

Samuel Baidoo (PI), Southern ROC, Waseca
Sponsor: Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
Title: SOY-Assessment of the benefits of low oligosacchrides in swine - Phase II
Award Type: No-cost Extension
Amount: $0 (Total to-date: $80,000.00)

Alfredo DiCostanzo (PI), Department of Animal Science
Sponsor: Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (Prime: U.S. Department of Energy)
Title: Impact of distillers grains and glycerin on cattle feed
Award Type: No-cost Extension
Amount: $0 (Total to-date: $194,876.00)

Brad Heins (PI), West Central ROC, Morris.
Co-PIs: Marcia Endres, Roger Moon, James Paulson
Sponsor: CERES Trust
Title: Effect of organic grain supplementation on economic, behavior and pest management strategies of organic dairy cows
Amount: $119,973
Period: April 2012 to April 2014

Sally Noll (PI), Department of Animal Science
Sponsor: Elanco Animal Health
Title: Post approval study - The evaluation of Topmax
Award Type: No-cost Extension
Amount: $0 (Total to-date: $119,276.00)
  

Calendar of Events

- December 2011 -

1-4 - Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association Annual Convention, Jackpot Junction, Morton, MN.

5-8 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days, Morris (Dec. 5); Luverne (Dec. 6); Tracy (Dec. 7); Rochester (Dec. 8). Program contact: Grant Crawford, 320-234-0441.

7-9 - North Dakota Poultry Industries Convention, Fargo, ND. Contact: Carl or Sharlene Wittenburg at carlproalli@tds.net, carlwitt@wisper-wireless.com, or call 877-289-8875.

8 - Video Conference: Grazing Research for Minnesota's Future, Contact: Midwest Forage Association, 651-484-3888.

8 - CFANS Alumni Society Holiday Social (4:45-6:00 p.m.), Minnesota Commons Room, Student Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. RSVP on-line by December 5 or contact Holly Klinger, 612-624-0822.

15 - Winterfest, the Department of Animal Science's annual holiday get-together, Room 365 Haecker Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus.

16 - CFANS College Assembl y(10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.), 105 Cargill Bldg., U of M St. Paul Campus.

26 - Christmas Day Holiday (U of M Twin Cities is closed).

27 - Floating Holiday (U of M Twin Cities is closed).

- January 2012 -

2 - New Years Day Holiday (U of M Twin Cities is closed).

16 - Martin Luther King Holiday (U of M Twin Cities is closed).

18-19 - Minnesota Pork Congress, Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN.

23-24 - Minnesota Ag Expo 2012, Verizon Wireless Center, Mankato, MN.

24-25 - Midwest Forage Association, Wisconsin Custom Operators, and Professional Nutrient Applicators 2012 Symposium and Annual Meeting, Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI. Contact: Midwest Forage Association, 651-484-3888.  

24-26 - International Poultry Exposition, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA.   

- February 2012 -

1 - U of M Legislative Briefing, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis. Register by January 24.

1-4 - 114th Annual Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen's Beef Association Trade Show, Nashville, TN.

8-9 - 7th Annual I-29 Dairy Conference, Best Western Ramkota Inn and Conference Center, Sioux Falls, SD. Contacts: J.W. Schroeder (program chair), NDSU, 701-231-7663; Alvaro Garcia (sponsorship), SDSU, 605-688-5488.

14-18 - 66th Annual National Meat Association Convention, Hilton Tucson El Conquiastador Resort, Tucson, AZ.

15-18 - National Turkey Federation Annual Convention, Tampa, FL. Contact: Jen Zukowski, 202-898-0100.

15-19 - California Dairy Tour. Contact: Minnesota Milk, 877-577-0741.

18 - Draft Horse Owner Education, Leatherdale Equine Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. Register by February 15.

19-21 - 2012 Meat Conference, Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL.

25 - Four-State Equine Business Conference, Leatherdale Equine Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. Vist the U of M Horse Extension website for more information..

- March 2012 -

6-9 - 30th Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, Capri Centre, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.

13-15 - Midwest Poultry Federation Convention, St. Paul, MN. Contact: Lara Durben, 763-682-2171. 

16 - Floating Holiday (U of M Twin Cities is closed).

- April 2012 -

30-May 3 - American Meat Institute's International Meat, Poultry and Seafood Exposition, Convention Center, Dallas. TX.