AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science

February 2007

Positioning Livestock in Bio-energy Production

Will it be corn, cellulose or biogas production that reduces our dependence on fossil fuel?  Regardless, the livestock industry is going to be significantly involved in any bio or renewable energy production.   

As corn usage shifts from animal feed to ethanol production, livestock producers are experiencing the negative effects of corn prices at $4.00-plus-a-bushel. A recent article in Feedstuffs indicated feed costs for poultry have increased 18% in the last few months. Pork producers are experiencing the same steep increase in feed costs. Dairy and beef producers are also feeling the effects but to a lesser extent because forages are a large portion of their animals’ diets and forage costs have not currently increased like corn and other grain sources. The Animal Science Department is not immune to the increasing feed prices and costs, which have increased in our animal research and teaching units also.

As feed costs increase, livestock nutrition programs are being forced to reevaluate traditional feeding programs of corn and soybean meal, and with ruminants, alfalfa and corn silage programs. While trying to cope with the immediate impact of bio-energy production on high feed prices, let us not lose perspective on how animal agriculture is an essential component to the success of replacing fossil fuels with bio or renewable fuels. Animals are the world’s best recyclers. They convert plant fibers and byproducts that are not suitable for human food into high quality, wholesome and nutritious food products.

Corn is a staple in human and animal diets. But, as more corn goes into ethanol, how many of us are filling our plates with the ethanol byproduct distillers dried grains (DDGS)? Animals are “stepping up to the plate” and replacing corn in their diets with this byproduct. In 2006, it is estimated that the ethanol industry will have produced almost 9 million tons of DDGS. Several faculty, but particularly Dr. Jerry Shurson, have led research into how DDGS can be best utilized in swine and other animal diets. The DDGS web site maintained by our Department is internationally recognized as the premier source for technical and feeding information on DDGS. Using other grains or starch sources for ethanol production doesn't eliminate a distillers byproduct and animals will still be the best converters of this into high quality food products.

Replacing corn with cellulosic material for ethanol production most likely will eliminate use of the byproduct in animal diets. The current process of acid and chemical treatments to breakdown the lignin in biomass material for efficient conversion into ethanol will render the byproduct unfit for feeding. Harvesting the biomass (plant material) for ethanol production will remove nearly all of the organic material and deplete soil fertility. Animal manure will be a major source of nutrients as well as good organic matter to return to soils when intensive biomass harvesting occurs. A future biomass cellulosic source may be alfalfa. With alfalfa, it will be the stems that are used as biomass, and the leaves, which are high in protein and low in fiber, removed before the stems are converted into ethanol. Research by the Department of Animal Science several years ago showed alfalfa leaf meal is an excellent protein source for several animal species.

Soybeans are the leading source of oil for use as bio-fuel or bio-diesel. Removing the oil from soybeans leaves the well known and utilized feed, soybean meal. Animal agriculture is already the major user of soybean meal and if other oilseeds are used for bio-diesel fuel, these oilseed protein sources also can be used in animal diets. Animals can contribute directly to bio-fuels in that animal fats can replace soy oil as a bio-fuel.

Animal agriculture can and already is contributing in another way to renewable fuel production. Several farms like the Haubenschild farm in Minnesota are processing animal manure through a digester to produce methane and electricity. Digesting manure not only produces energy, but reduces manure odor and green house gas emissions. In some areas with large poultry production facilities, poultry manure is being burned as an efficient source of energy for electricity and heat.   

My point, in this brief article, is that animal agriculture is significantly involved in all renewable, bio-fuel or bio-mass energy production. Animals, either through recycling byproducts or direct production of energy from manure, will be a key factor in the search for fossil fuel replacement. The future of animal agriculture is bright. The Department of Animal Science is committed and already has made an investment in research and education programs to position animal agriculture as a solution to the renewable energy initiative.
  

Crossbreeding of Dairy Cattle will be Focus of 4th Biennial W. E. Petersen Symposium

On alternate years, the Department of Animal Science hosts a public symposium addressing a contemporary topic affecting dairy cattle. Crossbreeding is perhaps the hottest topic in dairy cattle production at this time, at least in the genetics area. The University of Minnesota has been an international leader in conducting new research on crossbreeding of dairy cattle. The technology of crossbreeding is actually a traditional one for most livestock, but it has not been a meaningful contributor to milk production in the world until very recently.   Some people, especially breeders of registered Holsteins, find the topic to be controversial. The 2007 W. E. Petersen Symposium will address the science and the impact of crossbreeding of dairy cattle beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 2, in the Continuing Education & Conference Center on the St. Paul campus.  The public is welcome to attend, prior registration is not required, and there is no fee for attendance.

Follow this link for more details and a list of speakers: 4th Biennial W. E. Petersen Symposium.
  

Video Greeting from President Bruininks

President Bruininks provides answers to common questions about the University's goals in an on-line video greeting to students, faculty and staff. Take a look at this excellent QuickTime video to learn what's in store at the University in the coming months. Visit: http://www1.umn.edu/pres/bruininksWelcome.mov.
  

Meat Lab Back in Business

The Animal Science Meat Lab is once again open for business offering a variety of beef and pork (see http://www.ansci.umn.edu/meatlab.htm.

The Meat Lab is located on the lower level of the Andrew Boss Laboratory of Meat Science, Room 26, and is open 2:00 to 5:00 pm on Wednesdays.
  

CFANS Alumni Directory
- Are you listed in the directory?

Check out the on-line CFANS Alumni Directory at: http://webapps.cfans.umn.edu/alumnidir/search.asp. There, alumni who wish to be included in the directory may complete and submit an on-line form. This is a great way to let others know where you are and what you've been doing.

If you are not already listed in the directory, please take the time to enter your information.
  

March Cookie Monster Madness

The Department of Animal Science invites all Animal Science students, faculty, staff and friends to March Cookie Monster Madness on March 2, 2007 in Room 365 Haecker Hall. Enter your homemade goodies in any or all of the following categories:

• All-American - Chocolate chip, oatmeal-raisin, peanut butter, sugar, etc.
• Bars/Brownies - Your favorite cookie in a pan!
• Healthy - High in nutritional value and/or low in sugar, fat.
• Over the Top - Sugar shock! Butter bonanza! If words like rich, gooey, or sinful describe your goodie, then this is your category.

There will be two competitor categories: Undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty and staff. Prizes will be awarded for Best, First Runner-up, and Honorable Mention. Finalists will face off for a shot at the Grand Prize—sole claim to the Grand Champion title "AnSci Cookie of the Year".

Contestants should arrive with entry in hand by 1:45 p.m. Taste testing will begin at 2:00 p.m. and judging will close at 3:00. Those who wish to taste without competing, are welcome any time between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.

Professor Marshall Stern and doctoral student Dan Carlson will serve as emcees.
  

U of M Students Participate in 3rd Midwest Dairy Challenge

The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC) has earned a reputation for attracting the top dairy students in the country. The 3-day event is designed to introduce young people to the roles consultants play on dairy farms. With a national contest held each April, organizers decided 3 years ago to bring the event to the Midwest to show more students just what it was all about. Five of our U of M students and coach Marcia Endres traveled to Wisconsin on January 25 to participate in the 3rd Midwest event. Students included DiDi Christopherson, Amber Hazel, Bridgette Hemmesch, Charlie Peterson and Evan Van Beusekom.

The Midwest Dairy Challenge was held in Fond-du-Lac, WI, January 25-27. The contest featured 89 participants from 13 different schools. Schools represented included Iowa State University, Michigan State University, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Ohio State University, Purdue University, Lakeshore Technical College, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, and Northwest Missouri State.

Working in 4- or 5-person mixed university teams, students assessed all aspects of a working dairy farm and presented recommendations for improvement to a panel of judges and the participating farm families. Students were given 90 minutes to visit and evaluate one of three dairies located in the region.
 
After the farm visits, herd owners entertained questions from both students and judges about their farming operations. Armed with detailed production and financial records from the farms, as well as their own observations, the participants developed a presentation about what they saw and made suggestions for improvement. The next day, teams were given 20 minutes to present their suggestions. A question and answer session followed, along with a critique of their presentation by a panel of judges.

Award levels are platinum, gold and silver. All five U of M students were members of teams that received a gold award. Congratulations to all students for a job well done!
  

Largest Recognition Banquet in History of Gopher Dairy Club

More than 200 students, parents, faculty, and supporters attended the 23rd Annual Recognition Banquet of the Gopher Dairy Club beginning at noon on Sunday, February 18, in the Northstar Ballroom of the St. Paul Student Center. President Missy Mussman served as emcee, and Judd Hanson, District Sales Manager for Genex/CRI and the 1989-90 President of the Gopher Dairy Club was the featured speaker. Barry Visser, GDC alumnus of Hutchinson, received the Distinguished Service Award. 

Student members of the club were recognized for accomplishments in Dairy Cattle Judging and the Collegiate Dairy Challenge. Furthermore, Animal Science scholarship recipients were announced, and the R.W. Touchberry Outstanding Junior in Animal Science Award, which includes an award plaque and $1,000, was presented to Brad Durow. New student scholarships were presented by the Gopher Dairy Club to 14 freshmen members of the club. The $2,000 Douglas Siem Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to the highest ranking applicant among those applying for new student scholarships, and the recipient this year was Jessica Achen. The other 13 new student scholarships were each in the amount of $1,500 and were presented to Jake Albrecht, Kevin Anderson, Jesse Heitke, Matt Herberg, Ryan Kappers, Molly Neil, Jeff Pagel, Megan Reeck, Charlie Schiller, Erica Seitzer, Staci Sexton, and Elizabeth Thurk.

Two nominees were announced as the entries of the University of Minnesota in the National Dairy Shrine Student Recognition program — Missy Mussman and Luke Olson. The Outstanding Rookie Award was presented to the sophomore member who contributed the most to the club, and that student was Jamie Seitzer. The Outstanding Senior Award was presented to Luke Olson. The program wrapped up with a slide show presented by the 13 club members who traveled on the senior trip to California for 10 days in early January.
    

Gopher Dairy Club is Very Visible at Regional Meeting of Dairy Science Clubs

A bus load of 54 student members of the Gopher Dairy Club traveled to Manhattan, Kansas, for the Midwest regional meeting of the student affiliate division of the American Dairy Science Association, February 2-4. The Kansas State Dairy Science Club hosted the event and 391 people attended. Members of the Gopher Dairy Club left campus on the afternoon of Thursday, February 1, and traveled as far as Lawrence, Kansas, the first day. Two Kansas dairies were visited on Friday, February 2, prior to completing the drive to Manhattan. Dr. Les Hansen traveled with the 54 students on the trip.

The Gopher Dairy Club placed first in the club display competition and first in the yearbook competition. The new issue of the club's yearbook, The Topline, will have its first public viewing at the annual recognition banquet of the Gopher Dairy Club on February 18 in the St. Paul Student Center. Also, the Gopher Dairy Club received the award for most members attending for the third year in a row.

Gopher Dairy Club member Amanda Eberle is the new 2nd Vice President of the Midwest region. The Gopher Dairy Club will host the 2008 Midwest regional meeting on and near the U of M St. Paul Campus. Co-chairs for planning the 2008 meeting are Gopher Dairy Club members Amanda Eberle, Monroe, WI, and Janelle Kuechle, Watkins, MN.
  

Dr. Da's Sabbatical Leave

Dr. Yang Da took sabbatical leave February 16, 2006 through December 31, 2006 with the intention of working on developing bioinformatics tools for animal QTL mapping and genome-wide association studies, learning bovine sequencing and SNP discovery informatics, and working on dairy genomics. He paid three visits to the Human Sequencing Center at Baylor College of Medicine. The Associate Director (Dr. George Weinstock) arranged for him to visit and interact with a number of faculty members and students. The Director (Dr. Richard Gibbs) generously shared with Dr. Da their work with bovine sequencing, SNP discovery, and the bovine SNP HapMap project, which helped in preparing the USDA/NRI proposal for which Dr. Da and Dr. Gibbs are PI's. The proposal was rated 'recommended for funding' but was not funded.

During his sabbatical leave, three computer packages/programs were completed. The package of QIMtest was designed for detecting QTL with various inheritance modes and was reported at the 2006 Animal/Dairy Science annual meeting. The package of epiSNP was designed for genome-wide testing of single-locus and pairwise epistasis effects of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, and was released in September 2006 at http://animalgene.umn.edu. The SPSSQTL program was designed for calculating statistical power and sample size for QTL and candidate gene detection, and was released in January 2007 at http://animalgene.umn.edu.
  

Shurson to Speak at 6th Annual Strategic Animal Ag Conference

Dr. Gerald Shurson will present "The Key to What Sells Distillers Grains" at the 6th Annual Strategic Animal Ag Conference: Minnesota's Renewable Fuels and Livestock Industries–Can They Co-exist? The conference will be held February 23, 2007, at the Holiday Inn/ Willmar Conference Center, Willmar, MN. (See the brochure for details.)

The 6th Annual Strategic Animal Ag Conference, co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar EDC, and its Agribusiness/ Renewable Energy Development Committee, is for community leaders, economic developers, producers, bankers and others interested in agriculture development.

For additional information, please contact the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission (tel: 320-235-7370 or 888-815-7370; email: edp@kandiyohi.com).
  

Dr. A.C. Linnerud Dies
Source: The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC, January 21, 2007

Dr. A.C. Linnerud, 75, of Raleigh died on Friday, January 19, 2007 at Rex Healthcare in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Palma W. Linnerud.

A native of Whitehall, WI, A.C.was born to the late Carsten Linnerud and Thelma Mahlum Linnerud on April 9, 1931 on a dairy farm. He graduated high school in Whitehall in 1949 and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a BS degree. A.C. was drafted into the Army and served his country from 1953 to 1955. He married his wife of 50 years, Palma Wintrone Linnerud on September 16, 1956 and attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota. A.C. received his MS and PhD degrees in dairy husbandry in 1964 and moved to Raleigh, NC, in August of 1964. He received his post doctorate in statistics at North Carolina State University and was a member of the faculty in NC State's statistics department. A.C. retired in 1993.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, January 23 at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Raleigh. Personal condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. Palma W. Linnerud
1309 Deboy Street
Raleigh, NC 27606-1719
  

New Name and Wordmark for Extension

Extension has a new wordmark (shown at right) and shorter name ("Service" has been removed). Extension is now officially "University of Minnesota Extension". The change reinforces Extension's relationship with the University and confirms Extension's commitment to providing research-based education to Minnesota.

The rollout of the new name and wordmark began in early February and will continue over the next 12 months, allowing for a natural and fiscally responsible replacement of a majority of printed materials and web sites.

Take a look at the resources for the new wordmark and production tools on the Extension employee web site under Communications and Publications; see: https://myextension.umn.edu/cpr/productiontools.html. (You will be required to sign in with Internet ID and password.)
  

New Publication Available: Guide to Rural Living

Internet Passwords Will Expire
Source: Office of Information Technology

Historically, Internet level passwords have not carried any time limitations. They could be used indefinitely after being set and would never expire. However, this has changed—Internet level passwords will now expire one year from the date they are set.

To transition to the new policy, all University members with an Internet level password older than one year will be required to change it after receiving notification. These notifications will be sent out gradually over the next few months. After the transition is complete, Internet passwords will automatically expire one year from the date they are set. Notification e-mails with instructions will be sent two weeks prior to passwords expiring. If you receive a notification e-mail, please choose a convenient time to change your password. If you do not change your password, it will expire.

Win a flash drive! Because of this policy change, there is an incentive for changing your password now. Anyone (regardless of password age) who changes their Internet password at http://www.umn.edu/validate (log in with your current ID and password first) between now and Friday, February 23, 2007 will be automatically entered into a drawing to win one of twenty 1GB flash drives!

Changing your password is self-service and can be done at any time, but if you need assistance or you cannot recall your current password, contact 1-HELP (612-301-4357) to speak with a consultant.
  

AFIA/LFC Research Funding Available
- Deadline is March 1, 2007

The Liquid Feed Committee of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA/LFC) has announced the availability of competitive research grant funds to be awarded for research applicable to the liquid feed industry, inclusive of work focusing on the use of poured, chemically cured or cooked molasses blocks. Typical awards are $10-15K.

Previous research projects funded by the AFIA/LFC can be viewed at: http://www.afia.org/ under the Liquid Feed Committee heading. Grants will be awarded on the basis of originality and applicability to the liquid feed industry. Statistical design should allow results to be published in refereed professional journals.

The following research areas have been identified by AFIA/LFC as areas of interest:

• Mineral supplementation: form and bioavailability.
• Methods of regulation of free choice intake.
• Liquid feed ingredients: characterize and quantify composition.
• Comparing liquid vs. dry forms of supplements.
• Marketing to: non-ruminants; other agricultural and non-agricultural potential applications.

AFIA does not pay indirect costs. Cooperators are encouraged to solicit additional funding. Co-sponsorship from ingredient and equipment suppliers is encouraged. The AFIA/LFC is available for assistance in sourcing product, equipment and technology.

Protocols will be reviewed for approval and funding by the research sub-committee of AFIA/LFC at its spring and fall meetings. Initial proposals indicating scope, duration and estimation of cost should be sent to:
 
Ms. Leanna Nail
Director, Administrative
American Feed Industry Association
Ph: 703-524-0810
Email: lnail@afia.org
  

New on the Animal Science Web Site

Thanks to the great work of CFANS staff members, Michelle Beaman and Rachel Lam, and our own Dr. Doug Foster and Jennifer Welsh, we now have a new and improved Graduate Studies in Animal Sciences site. The new site is still undergoing some page revisions but with the help of Animal Science faculty, the updates should be completed soon.

Software Tools for Animal Gene Mapping is where you'll find Dr. Yang Da's bioinformatics tools for use in animal gene mapping. The computer programs are downloadable free of charge.  
  

Sarah Schieck

Sarah Schieck is a first year graduate student pursuing a Master's degree in swine nutrition. Sarah’s advisor is Lee Johnston stationed at the U’s West Central Research and Outreach Center. Sarah also works with Jerry Shurson and Sam Baidoo.

Along with the other swine nutrition students, Sarah has been kept busy working on Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) research. For her Master’s thesis, Sarah plans to look at incorporating glycerol from biodiesel production in swine diets.

Sarah is from Sunburg, Minnesota, where she grew-up on a small hog farm. On the weekends, Sarah spends her time working at home with the family’s hog operation, which she now owns. In the rest of her free time, Sarah enjoys sewing, reading, spending time with family and friends, and spending time outdoors fishing, swimming, and cross-country skiing.
  

Nicolas Di Lorenzo and Asia Lukas have each been chosen as recipients of the 2006-2007 College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) Graduate Fellowship.

Jerry Shurson is a grandfather! Drew (Jerry's oldest son) and Cadi are the proud parents of Grace Corinne Shurson, born February 12th at 8:10 p.m. She was 7 lb, 8 oz and 20-1/2".

Minho Song successfully defended his Master's thesis on February 15, 2007. Title: Dietary effects of dried distiller's grains with solubles on performance of lactating sows.

Aree Thayananuphat successfully defended her PhD thesis on January 24, 2007. Title: Neuronal regulation of avian reproductive stages.
  

no new grants to report this month

Department of Animal Science seminars are held September through May on Mondays at 3:00 p.m. in Room 365 Haecker Hall. Everyone is welcome. Please join us.

- February 2007 -

1- I-29 Dairy Conference, Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon, IA. Contact: Valerie Denison, SDSU 605-688-4116.

6-14- 2007 Minnesota Beef Cow/Calf Days (8 locations around the state).

8-9- Swine Wean to Finish Management Workshop, West Central ROC, Waseca. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

10- Horse Owner Education Day, College of Vet Med, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Kristi Martini Starzynski, 888-241-0719.

15-16- Swine Wean to Finish Management Workshop, Southern ROC, Waseca. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

17- Horse Owner Education Day, U of M Crookston Horse Facility, Crookston, MN. Contact: Kristi Martini Starzynski, 888-241-0719.

19- Carver County Dairy Expo, Norwood-Young America, MN. Contact: Laura Torbert, 952-466-5300.

- March 2007 -

2- March Cookie Monster Madness, Department of Animal Science, 365 Haecker Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Jennifer Welsh, 612-624-3491.

6-9- 2007 Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, Capri Centre, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. For more information, contact Joanne Morrison at 780-492-3236 or wcds@ualberta.ca.

10- Horse Owner Education Day, Foley Intermediate School, Foley, MN. Contact: Kristi Martini Starzynski, 888-241-0719.

12-16- Spring Break

13-15- Midwest Poultry Federation Convention, St. Paul RiverCentre, St. Paul, MN.

16- Floating Holiday - the U is closed.

20-22- Central Plains Dairy Expo, Convention Center, Arena and Sheraton Hotel, Sioux Falls, SD. Contact: Kathy Tonneson, 218-236-8420.

20-23- 2007 PDHGA Dairy Calf and Heifer National Conference, Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center, Burlington, VT. Contact: Hugh Chester-Jones. 507-837-5618.

24- Horse Owner Education Day, Cloquet Forestry Center, Cloquet, MN. Contact: Kristi Martini Starzynski, 888-241-0719.

24- Horse Owner Short Course: Preventing Problems, Knights of Columbus Hall, New Prague, MN. Contact: Betsy Gilkerson, 612-596-1175 or Laura Kieser, 952-466-5306 or 952-492-5386.

27-28- 2007 Minnesota-Wisconsin Dairy Policy Conference and Dairy Directors Leadership Conference, Radisson Hotel, Rochester, MN. Contact: Margot Rudstrom, 320-589-0480.

31- Horse Owner Short Course: Preventing Problems, City Hall, Independence, MN. Contact: Betsy Gilkerson, 612-596-1175 or Laura Kieser, 952-466-5306 or 952-492-5386.

- April 2007 -

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

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

- May 2007 -

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

- June 2007 -

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

- July 2007 -

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

December 2007

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

6-7 - Artificial Insemination in Swine Training Course, Southern ROC, Waseca. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.