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AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science
March 2010 |
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Notes from the Department Head | Faculty Highlights | News & Announcements | Graduate Student Profile | Congratulations
Recent Grants | Calendar of Events | Animal Science Seminars | External Employment Opportunities |
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Notes from the Department Head
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Notes from the Department Head is expected to return next month.
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Faculty Highlights
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Faculty Highlights is expected to return next month.
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News and Announcements
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Grad Students Host Dairy Facility Tours
As part of the Bell Museum's Hungry Planet Program, members of the Animal Science Graduate Student Club are hosting tours of the St. Paul Campus Dairy Facility. Tour participants follow milk's journey from cow to carton, meet the cows and calves of the St. Paul dairy herd, visit the milking parlor, explore state-of-the-art equipment, and learn how dairy cows are cared for and what they eat.
Their first tour for the Hungry Planet Program was held February 27, 2010. Additional tours are planned for Tuesday, March 23, Saturday, March 27, and Saturday, April 24. Call 612-624-9050 to inquire about when and where to meet for the tour, and to register (registration is required). The cost is $9.00 per person, $7.00 for members, and $5.00 for children under 12 years of age.
For a list of Hungry Planet Program exhibits and related programs, check out the Bell Museum website.
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Equine Enthusiast License Plates
In an effort to raise critical equine research and Extension funds in Minnesota, a bill (SF 2411) was introduced in the Minnesota State Senate for the establishment of special Equine Enthusiast license plates. If passed, horse enthusiasts would have the option to purchase, at an additional cost, a special license plate that depicts a horse or a horse and rider. Funds from the sale of Equine Enthusiast license plates would be available to U of M equine faculty through a competitive grants process.
The bill was read for the first time in February and referred to the Committee on Finance. At a meeting of the Transportation Budget and Policy Division on March 4, 2010, Dr. Krishona Martinson (Department of Animal Science) and Dr. Stephanie Valberg (College of Veterinary Medicine) testified in favor of the bill, and Pat McCormack, Director of Driver and Vehicle Services, provided information and answered questions about special plate procedures. The bill was tabled for the time being.
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Gophers Highly Visible at Regional Meeting of Dairy Science Clubs
The Gopher Dairy Club was well-represented by 46 club members, along with adviser Dr. Les Hansen, at the Midwest Regional meeting of dairy science clubs held the weekend of February 26 in Brookings, SD. The dairy science club at South Dakota State University hosted the 2010 meeting.
The U of M placed 1st in the junior quiz bowl competition (team members were Jacob Achen, Willie Coyne, Emily Krekelberg, and Isaac Salfer), 1st in the yearbook competition (editors were Erica Seitzer and Caitlin Kasper), and 2nd in the website competition. The U of M also received the award for most members in attendance.
Furthermore, Mike Donnelly of the U of M was elected Midwest Regional President for 2010-11. Previously, he served as 1st Vice President for 2009-10. The 2011 host institution will be the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Photo at right: Gopher Dairy Club members. The U of M was awarded the "Big Unit" for
having the most members in attendance at Regional ADSA.
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Students Participate in 2010 Midwest Dairy Challenge Contest
The 2010 Midwest Dairy Challenge contest was held in Wooster, OH, February 11-13. There were 66 participants from 15 different schools. Schools represented included University of Illinois, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Lakeshore Technical College, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Technical Institute, Purdue University, South Dakota State University, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and UW Short Course.
Jacob Albrecht, Brenda Reiter, Abby Rudenick, and Charlie Schiller were the U of M students who participated in the event. Abby and Charlie will represent the U of M in the National contest this April.
Working in four- or five-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 two 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 teams developed a presentation about what they saw and made suggestions for improvement. On Saturday, 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. Brenda was member of a team that received a platinum award, Abby’s and Charlie’s teams received gold awards, and Jacob’s team received a silver award. Coach Marcia Endres said, "all of the U of M students performed very well and I was very proud of them."
Congratulations to all four students from the U of M!
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Reneau Attends 1st North American Precision Dairy Conference
Dr. Jeff Reneau traveled to Toronto, Canada, to attend the 1st North American Precision Dairy Conference held March 2-5, 2010. Dr. Reneau was co-author of two invited papers at the conference. Posters developed from those papers are listed below:
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Martin and Meat Goat Producers Travel to Indiana
Wayne Martin, Assistant Extension Professor-Alternative Livestock Systems, is accompanying a group of meat goat producers to Indianapolis, IN, for the Profitable Meat Goats Conference taking place March 26-27, 2010. The conference is for new and established producers as well as potential producers of goat meat. Conference attendees will learn from experts and other producers how to raise meat goats profitably, the most efficient and effective methods of producing and marketing goat meat, and opportunities and pitfalls of the meat goat business.
The host hotel is the Wyndham Indianapolis West located at 2544 Executive Drive in Indianapolis (tel: 317-381-6186). Special conference rates apply for attendees of the conference (mention the Profitable Meat Goats Conference when making reservations), and the hotel has a complimentary airport shuttle service.
Please contact Wayne Martin (612-625-6224) with questions about the conference.
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Couric to Speak at Alumni Association Annual Celebration
Katie Couric, CBS Evening News anchor and former Today show cohost, will be the featured guest and keynote speaker at the 106th U of M Alumni Association Annual Celebration. The event will be held April 24, 2010, at Mariucci Arena, 1901 4th Street SE, Minneapolis.
A cocktail reception kicks off the celebration at 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 4:45 p.m.), dinner begins at 6:15 p.m., and the program will run 7:30-9:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m. for program-only guests).
More details including ticket prices will be announced soon. Check for updates on the U of M Alumni Association website.
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Gopher Dairy Club Elects New Officers
The Gopher Dairy Club elected officers for 2010-11 at the March 4th club meeting held in the Food Science and Nutrition Building. President Charlie Schiller, a senior majoring in Animal Science, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. New officers were elected and announced as follows:
President - Mike Donnelly (junior in Agricultural Education)
Vice President - Brandon Thesing (junior in Animal Science)
Treasurer - Courtney Heuer (junior in Animal Science)
Secretary - Abby Udermann (junior in Animal Science)
Reporter - Caitlin Kasper (junior in Agricultural Education)
Student Board Representative - Elizabeth Olson (sophomore in Animal Science)
Congratulations to all the new officers!
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National DHIA Names Scholarship Winners
Source: National DHIA
The National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) Scholarship Committee announced scholarship winners at their 2010 annual meeting held March 9-12 in St. Pete Beach, FL. Twenty-five high school seniors and college students were chosen to receive $500 scholarships.
This year's National DHIA scholarship winners from Minnesota were: Brett Boyum (Battle Lake), Kevin Davis (Cokato), April Johnson, (Heron Lake), Brenda Reiter (Elgin), Laura Rosenhammer (Sleepy Eye), and Tyler Warren (Watkins).
Judges evaluated applicants on scholastic achievement and leadership in school and community activities. To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, applicants must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, a family member of a DHI employee, or an employee of a DHI affiliate. The DHI affiliate for the herd or affiliate employee must be a National DHIA member.
To apply for a National DHIA scholarship, download and complete the electronic application on the National DHIA website (www.dhia.org). Applications for the 2011 scholarships are due October 15, 2010.
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Free Workshop on Calculating Manure's Economic Value
A Manure Value Workshop is planned for March 31, 2010, at the Minnesota Pork Office, 151 Saint Andrews Court, Mankato. The workshop begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m. with lunch. Workshop pre-registration by March 24 is required and seating is limited. There is no cost to attend this workshop.
The Manure Value Workshop is designed to help livestock and crop producers and manure management consultants better estimate and maximize the value of manure as a fertilizer resource. The workshop will be led by U of M Extension Educator Jose Hernandez, a water resource and nutrient management specialist. This interactive, hands-on workshop will give participants an opportunity to work with data from their own operations and will introduce additional data analysis tools.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptop computers to utilize the “What is Manure Worth?” spreadsheet, which operates on Microsoft Excel. If a laptop is unavailable, participants will be provided paper worksheets.
The workshop will begin with an explanation of factors that determine manure value and a discussion on how to maximize manure value. This will be followed by a spreadsheet demonstration and hands-on use of the computer spreadsheet or paper worksheet to analyze situations relevant to participants’ operations. Each participant will receive the spreadsheet and other manure management decision-making resources.
Register by contacting the Minnesota Pork Office at (800) 537-7675 or colleen@mnpork.com. When registering by email, include your name, address, daytime phone and cell phone numbers, and availability of a laptop with Excel.
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Cookies, Cookies, Cookies!
Grab the ingredients, mix em all up, pop em in the oven, enter the March Cookie Monster Madness contest. The FANS Division (Departments of Animal Science, and Food Science and Nutrition) will hold their annual cookie bake-off on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at 12:00 noon in Room 365 Haecker Hall.
Contestants can compete in one or all of the following categories: All-American Cookies;
Bars/Brownies;
Healthy Cookies; International Cookies. An additional category, Open Cookie Category, is for male contestants only.
Not a baker? Come join the fun and take part in the cookie tasting then vote for your favorites. After the votes are tallied up, winners in each category will be announced. Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each category, and the overall winner will receive the grand prize, "FANS Division Cookie of the Year Award".
Questions? Please contact Kim Reno (624-4995) or Dana Souther (624-7453). |
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Agriculture 2010: New Perspectives
 On April 7, 2010, the 12th anniversary of the Women's Agricultural Leadership Conference will be celebrated at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN. The focus of this conference is on the integral roles women play in agriculture. This year's agenda offers a great line-up of speakers and topics, sessions on leadership, current events and issues in agriculture, and skill-building opportunities. Anyone with a interest in agriculture and the roles that women play in it is welcome to attend.
See the conference website for more information or to register on-line. Mail-in registration is also available (see brochure). Early registration is due by March 30th. Registration rates have been kept low again this year, and there are reduced rates for first time attendees and students. A limited number of student scholarships are also available.
In addition, the 7th Annual Agricultural Mentoring Awards will be presented during the luncheon at the conference. For more information on the mentoring awards, go to the mentors tab on the conference website.
AgStar Financial Services and CoBank are this year's Major Sponsorship Partners. For a full list of sponsors to-date, please go to the sponsors tab on the conference website. Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Inquiries may be directed to Doris Mold at 715-822-6347 or doris@sunriseag.net.
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2010 MMGP Expo
The 6th Annual Minnesota Meat Goat Producers (MMGP) All Goat Expo will take place on Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9, 2010. This year's event will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds located just east of Lake Elmo, MN, at the intersection of Washington County Road 15 and State Highway 5.
The Minnesota Meat Goat Producers were formed in 2005 with the purpose of providing quality, non-biased education while connecting and networking with other producers.
For additional information, please contact Wayne Martin, U of M Alternative Livestock Systems (612-625-6224), or visit the MMGP website.
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MN Dairy Health Conference
The 2010 Minnesota Dairy Health Conference will be held May 18-20 at the Continuing Education and Conference Center on the U of M St. Paul Campus. This year's conference will address a variety of strategies to enhance the biology of lactation and overall health of the dairy cow. Nationally renowned speakers will discuss influence of the photoperiod, transition cow programs, and fatty acid nutrition as well as current dairy research initiatives at the U of M and new research findings.
The Pre-conference Symposium, "Dairy Welfare Programs and Audits", will be held May 18 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) in the Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. First on the symposium agenda is Dr. Marcia Endres from the Department of Animal Science presenting information about the FARM Program. FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) is a national program created by the National Milk Producers Federation with support from Dairy Management Inc. that addresses animal well-being. Endres will describe the program in detail, including objectives, implementation, timeline, on-farm evaluations, third party verification, and more.
The main conference will open on May 19 at 7:45 a.m. with a welcome from Dr. Paul Rapnicki of the Veterinary Population Medicine department. Speakers from the Department of Animal Science include Dr. Noah Litherland who will present "Effects of moderating forage and energy intake in dry cows on periparturient performance and health", and M.S. students Karen Lobeck and Alanna Kmicikewycz. Lobeck will discuss "Animal welfare in cross-ventilated vs. naturally ventilated freestall barns" and Kmicikewycz is presenting "Effects of an accelerated milk replacer program fed two or four times daily on calf growth, health, and nutrient intake".
Speakers from outside the U of M include Tim Amlaw (American Humane Certified), Naomi Botheras (Ohio State University), Nigel Cook (University of Wisconsin),
Geoffrey Dahl (University of Florida),
William Hartmann (Minnesota Board of Animal Health), Gary Sides (Pfizer Animal Health),
and William Thatcher
(University of Florida). The complete agenda, including all topics and speakers, and registration information are posted on the Conference website.
Questions about the conference may be directed to Veterinary Continuing Education at vetmedce@umn.edu or 800-380-8636. For information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Helen Pederson, Director of Veterinary Continuing Education, at h-pede1@umn.edu or 612-624-3434.
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Sustainable Ag Research Scholarships
The Theodora and Arnold Johnson Undergraduate Research Program is designed to provide students with an internship opportunity to work with a faculty member on a research topic pertaining to sustainable agriculture. The program provides an unique opportunity for students to collaborate with faculty to address issues affecting agricultural production, the environment, food science and nutrition, social impacts of farming systems, or economics of agriculture.
A maximum award of $3,000 is available for each research project accepted. At least two awards are made each year. All full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled in CFANS and in good academic standing are eligible to apply. Application materials are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 2, 2010.
Visit the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) website for program guidelines and application procedures.
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Our Condolences
Dr. John D. Donker died from cancer on December 22, 2009, at the age of 89. After retiring from the U of M's Department of Animal Science in 1990, he moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. The family plans to hold a memorial service sometime in March or April 2010.
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Graduate Student Profile
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Leah Adams
 Leah Adams is a first year graduate student in the Department of Animal Science pursuing a Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology. Her work will focus on determining whether the bovine adrenal gland produces the hormone inhibin and whether adrenal production of this hormone plays a role in post-calving infertility in dairy cows.
Leah hales from a rural hobby farm in Boyceville, WI, where she grew up learning how to care for beef cattle, horses, dogs, ducks, chickens, and other sundry creatures that showed up. Her first interest was in horses and she obtained a B.S. in Equine Science at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in December 2008. During her time at River Falls, she developed an interest in undergraduate research and livestock reproduction and consequently spent two summers at Texas A&M University performing research in stallion fertility. She also gained experience in breeding horses, riding western reiners, and judging horses competitively through the extensive equine science program at River Falls.
During her free time, Leah enjoys outdoor activities, painting and drawing, and just relaxing with friends and family.
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Congratulations!
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Michelle Duong, Animal Science Accounting, and husband Tuan are expecting their first child in July.
Xiaojing Li and Pai Liu (two of our Ph.D. students from China) announced their engagement on February 13, which is the Chinese new year of 2010. They are still deciding on wedding plans but are considering a small ceremony at the Como Park Conservatory or possibly returning to China during the summer break to celebrate with their parents. See their engagement photo.
Li Ma, Animal Science Ph.D. candidate, has accepted a postdoctoral position at Cornell University. He'll leave for Cornell at the end of July.
Christina Phillips (Ph.D. student-Animal Science swine group) was recently awarded the Wilson G. Pond Appreciation Club International Travel Award, which provides $2500 towards expenses for travel to an international meeting or training in an international venue. Christina will attend the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) conference in Uppsala, Sweden, this August.
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Recent Grants
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No new grants this month.
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Calendar of Events
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- March 2010 -
2 - Land Stewardship Project's Family Farm Breakfast and Lobby Day at the Capitol. Contact: Sarah Lesnar, 612-722-6377.
2-Apr 20- Living on the Land Workshop Series (Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m.), Monticello High School, Monticello, MN. Contact: Brenda Postels, 763-682-7394.
4-Apr 22- Living on the Land Workshop Series (Thursdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m.), Ranchero Supper Club, Webster, MN. Contact: Laura Kieser, 952-466-5306.
5 - Poultry Testing Agent Training Course, Best Western Victorian Inn, Hutchinson, MN. Contact: Minnesota Board of Animal Health-Poultry Testing Lab, 320-231-5170.
9-12 - 28th Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, Capri Centre, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Contact: WCDS at University of Alberta, 780-492-3236.
10 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification, AmericInn, 1406 E. Lyon Street, Marshall, MN. Contact: Colleen at MN Pork, 800-537-7675.
11 - National Swine Nutrition Guide Training Conference, Owatonna, MN. For more information, visit the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence website or call 515-294-8891.
15-19 - Spring Break.
17-18 - Midwest Poultry Federation Convention (pre-show on March 16), Saint Paul RiverCentre, St. Paul, MN.
18 - Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association Annual Meeting and Banquet, North Star Ballroom, Student Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Steve Pooch, 651-323-4210.
18, 19, 20 - 2010 Poultry Workshops. See flyer for details. Contact: Wayne Martin, 612-625-6224.
24 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification, Southern ROC, 35838 120th Street, Waseca, MN. Contact: Colleen at MN Pork, 800-537-7675.
27 - Regional Horse Owner Education Program (1:00-4:00 p.m.),
Cloquet Forestry Center, Cloquet, MN.
Register online at: www.regonline.com/CloquetHorse.
Registration deadline is March 24, 2010.
30 - PorkCast Webinar: Risk Management for Pork Producers. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.
31 - Manure Value Workshop (9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), Minnesota Pork Office, 151 Saint Andrews Court, Suite 810, Mankato, MN. Contact: Colleen at MN Pork, 800-537-7675. FREE (pre-registration is required).
31 - Careers in Science, Cargill Bldg, U of M St. Paul Campus (4:00-6:00 p.m.). No charge to attend but space is limited. Contact: Darren Lochner, CFANS Alumni Relations, 612-624-9957.
- 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.
21 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification, West Central ROC, 46352 Hwy 329, Morris, MN. Contact: Colleen at MN Pork, 800-537-7675.
12-17 - Minn Royal, U of M St. Paul Campus.
24 - 106th U of M Alumni Association Annual Celebration with Katie Couric, Mariucci Arena, U of M Mpls Campus.
- 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, 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.
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.
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. |
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