AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science

October 2008

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

Internships – Value for Students and Employers

Animal Science continues to have the largest number of undergraduates of any major in CFANS. There are several reasons for this. One, we are the gateway into veterinary school, and another is about the jobs I mentioned in last month’s newsletter. An Animal Science degree provides a good background and education for many positions in agriculture, but particularly in animal agriculture where job opportunities remain high. 

A recent survey showed slightly less than half of all the CFANS students in an internship last summer were Animal Science majors. This is another indicator that there are positions in animal agriculture and employers are seeking people to fill these positions. However, an internship is not just about employment for the summer and fulfilling a degree requirement. An internship provides a professional, real life environment where students engage in meaningful learning experiences while assisting the employer. Internships can be in public or private sectors, academia or industry, global companies or small family businesses, profit or nonprofit organizations, and paid or unpaid. There is no standard internship format, but the value of the internship is the same wherever the internship occurs. 

An internship has many values for students. It is job experience – networking with future employers and professionals in a field of interest to you and an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you are learning in college to real life problems. For students in CFANS, this last point was emphasized in the survey in that they frequently applied the information they learned in classes while gaining a better understanding of the concepts of that information. But, the one point students clearly made about the value of their internship was learning to communicate better whether in day-to-day relationships, with a diverse group of people, or with people whose ideas and views differed from theirs.

For employers, an internship is an opportunity to get an enthusiastic, bright, young college student to work on a project. It is an opportunity to bring a new set of skills and talents into your work environment. In today’s competitive job market, an internship is a great opportunity to pre-recruit perspective employees and find out if they fit your team. It is a great pre-training program that allows your new employees to become productive members of your team sooner. Through internships, you get one step ahead of your competition in hiring that experienced new employee.

In today’s job market, students with career-related work experience are the ones getting the best interviews and job offers. Employers are not only getting a college educated individual when they hire a student who has had an internship, but a student with real job experience. Internships are a win-win for both students and employers.

For both students and employers, now is the time to start planning for next’s summer internship. Don’t wait until spring. The Animal Science Department and the St. Paul Campus Career Center are ready to help employers find one of our outstanding students to fill your internship or help plan and develop an internship to fit your company or organization.
  

MN Students Shine at National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet

Once again, U of M students took the spotlight at the 2008 Awards Banquet of National Dairy Shrine, which was held October 2 in Madison, WI, in conjunction with World Dairy Expo. This year, National Dairy Shrine presented 23 scholarships to university students. More than 30% of the scholarships were presented to U of M students. The breakdown by university was: 7 - U of M, 5 - Cornell University, 3 - UW-Madison, 3 - Iowa State University, 2 -Virginia Tech, 2 - Penn State, and 1 - Ohio State.

Congratulations to the Minnesota recipients:

• Elizabeth Olson, Animal Science freshman, McCullough Dairy Journalism - $2,500
• Amanda Eberle, Animal Science senior, Dairy Management, Inc. Milk Marketing - $1,000
• Amanda Rasmussen, Animal Science senior, Dairy Management, Inc. Milk Marketing - $1,000
• Eric Seitzer, Applied Economics junior, Dairy Management, Inc. Milk Marketing - $1,000
• Lucas Sjostrom, Animal Science senior, Dairy Management, Inc. Milk Marketing - $1,000
• Lana Olson, Animal Science graduate, National Student Recognition - $500
• Lisa Thompson, Marketing and Accounting (Animal Science minor) graduate, National Student Recognition - $500
    

New Assistantship This Year!

Ralco Nutrition Inc. of Marshall, MN has established a cooperative agreement with the Department of Animal Science to support the mission of Ralco Nutrition Inc. and the graduate education of students pursuing a career in animal nutrition. The Ralco Nutrition Inc. Graduate Assistantship is an annually renewable research assistantship for graduate students in the Department of Animal Science.

The first recipient of the Assistantship is Jenna Pomerenke (see photo). Jenna is from Okabena, MN. She completed her BS at the U of M this past spring. This summer she completed an internship with the Minnesota Pork Board. Jenna is starting her MS program in swine nutrition this fall under advisor Dr. Jerry Shurson.

The Department of Animal Science is very delighted to have this opportunity to partner with Ralco Nutrition Inc. in support of graduate education.
  

Pomerenke Invited to Participate in Swine Science Online Conference

Faculty at the U of M nominated Jenna Pomerenke, swine nutrition graduate student, to receive a $500 scholarship from the National Pork Board and the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence. The scholarship is contingent on participating in the Swine Science Online Annual Conference on December 11-12, 2008 in Des Moines, IA.

Along with industry and other students at the Conference, Jenna would review curriculum and learning objectives, and provide feedback on the Swine Science Online Program.

Last year, the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence was awarded a grant to develop swine science curriculum to be delivered to university students across the U.S. This program has evolved into the Swine Science Online program. Curriculum leaders from around the U.S. have been working to develop curriculum that meets the U.S. pork industry’s needs.
      

Collaborative Research with APC

Dr. Margareth Overland, senior researcher and section leader with the Feed Ingredients and Processing Section of the Aquaculture Protein Centre (APC) in Aas, Norway, met with Drs. Jerry Shurson and Luiz Souza, a post-doctoral fellow in swine nutrition, to discuss and develop a collaborative research program.

The proposed research involves determination of anti-nutritional factors in soy protein and the role they play in the immune system, and nutrition of monogastric animals, immune system modulating components of dried distiller's grains with solubles and their role in gut health of monogastric animals. Also discussed were potential exchange programs for PhD students and post-doctoral fellows. 

About the APC: In 2002, the Research Council of Norway initiated a Centres of Excellence (CoE) with the intention of bringing more researchers and research groups up to a high international standard. The Centres are devoted to long-term basic research. The APC became one of the first Norwegian Centres of Excellence. APC consists of scientists from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (NVH), the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), and Nofima, an industry-oriented research group that conducts research and development for aquaculture, fisheries and food industries. The Norwegian University of Life Sciences is the host institute.  

For two years in the late 1980s, Dr. Overland took course work and conducted research as part of her PhD degree program in the Department of Animal Science at the U of M.

Photo (L-R): Drs. Margareth Overland, Jerry Shurson, Luiz Souza.

U of M Placed 1st in Accelerated Genetics Dairy Cattle Judging Contest

The U of M placed 1st overall among 16 teams in the dairy cattle judging contest hosted by Accelerated Genetics, September 14, at the Vernon County Fair, Viroqua, WI. The Minnesota team also placed 1st in oral reasons, 1st in Milking Shorthorn, 2nd in Holstein, 3rd in Guernsey, and 4th in Brown Swiss. Team members were Brandon Thesing, Winona; Mike Donnelly, Farmington; Staci Sexton, Millville; and Jessica Achen, Sauk Centre. 

Individually, Thesing was 1st overall, 1st in oral reasons, 1st in Holstein, 3rd in Milking Shorthorn, and 4th in Brown Swiss.  Donnelly was 9th overall, 3rd in oral reasons, and 4th in Guernsey. Sexton was 14th overall, and Achen was 16th overall. The top four teams were: 1. U of M, 2. UW-River Falls, 3. Cal Poly, and 4. UW-Madison.

Dr. Les Hansen coaches the dairy cattle judging teams for the U of M along with three alumni: Scott Ellinghuysen, Tara Sammon, and Alicia Thurk.

Congratulations Team!

Photo: First-place team in the Accelerated Genetics collegiate dairy cattle judging contest from the U of M (L-R): Dr. Les Hansen, coach; Tara Meyer, coach; Jessica Achen, Sauk Centre; Mike Donnelly, Farmington; Brandon Thesing, Winona; Staci Sexton, Millville; AliciaThurk, coach; Scott Ellinghuysen, coach.
  

Extension Dairy Team Hits the Road

The U of M Extension Dairy Team took October 8-10 to visit a number of progressive dairy farms and two new University of Wisconsin dairy research units. Tour stops included Emerald Dairy at Emerald, WI; the new UW Dairy Research Center at Arlington; Crave Bros. Dairy at Waterloo; Holsum Dairy at Hilbert (co-owned and managed by Dr. Ken Buelow, former U of M faculty member); Schuh View Dairy at Kaukauna; Harmony Ho Holsteins at Stratford; and the UW Heifer Research Center near Marshfield.

While the farm facilities visited were impressive, probably the most impressive part of the tour was the visit we had with each producer where we could get a glimpse of their thinking and decision-making processes. These farmers are definitely ‘outside the box’ thinkers who have been successfully looking for different ways to keep their farms profitable and environmentally responsible. When an operator tells you that in about three years they’d like to be generating so much extra value from mostly manure-related products that milk is a by-product, you know they are not conventional farmers.

Above: Algae growth chamber at Emerald Dairy.

More than one farmer described himself as an enabler who had an idea, shared the idea with others on the farm or in the community and then let it grow from there. They recognized they cannot do it all. If they provide the right ideas, the right atmosphere to let things happen, and systems that provided the necessary structure, others on the farm can make a venture successful.

A common thread among several of the farms was methane digestion and use of bio-solids from those digesters as their major bedding product. Sale of excess bedding was also significant on several of the farms.

Photo at right: Team members on the tour were (L-R) Noah Litherland, campus-based specialist; Randy Pepin, local extension educator at Todd County; Jim Paulson, regional educator at Hutchinson; Marcia Endres, campus-based specialist; Jim Salfer, regional educator at St. Cloud; Chuck Schwartau, regional educator at Rochester; Jeff Reneau, campus-based specialist; Vince Crary, local extension educator at Ottertail County; Neil Broadwater, regional educator at Rochester; and Dennis Johnson, dairy scientist, West Central ROC at Morris.
      

U of M Beef Team Hosts Extreme Beef Makeover at Expo
Source: Lori Schott, U of M Beef Team

The U of M Beef Team and Minnesota Beef Expo staff hosted a fun and interactive workshop for youth during the 2008 Minnesota Beef Expo. The “Extreme Beef Makeover Contest” provided youth a “hands on competition” that allowed them to demonstrate their teamwork, showing abilities, fitting skills and beef knowledge in a team environment.

Teams consisted of four youth with a variety of ages from 9 to 21. Each team was responsible for bringing a heifer or steer for use in the competition, along with fitting supplies. Heifers and steers were not groomed before the competition but were washed and dried prior to the event. A 45-minute fitting period was designated, followed by showing and interviews.

Nine teams from Minnesota and Wisconsin participated. Winners received a ribbon and set of Andis clippers. Judges included U of M Beef Team members Alfredo DiCostanzo, Ryan Walker and Grant Crawford, Ted Radintz from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and Chad Zehnder from Land O Lakes.

Above: Extreme Beef Makeover contestants.
  

MYBEP Participants Visit U of M
Source: Lori Schott, U of M Beef Team

The U of M Beef Team, U of M Meat Lab, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, and Minnesota Beef Expo hosted an educational workshop at the U of M for 75 youth and parents who applied for the Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program (MYBEP). 

Beef Team members Alfredo DiCostanzo, Grant Crawford, Lori Schott and Ryan Cox, and U of M Meat Lab Supervisor Pete Nelson planned the educational portion of the event in association with Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association member Dar Geiss.

The workshop, which took place at the Andrew Boss Meat Lab on the St. Paul Campus, focused on management strategies, facilities, nutrition and carcass evaluation.

Program applicants are vying for the eight available breeding heifers. Each heifer winner is responsible for raising, breeding and maintaining complete records on care of the animal while providing monthly progress reports to the original owner and the Minnesota Beef Expo.

The purpose the MYBEP is to aid youth in getting a start in the beef cattle business by awarding heifer calves to program participants on the basis of merit, need, future goals, and ability to care for the animal. Any youth aged 12 to 16 who is a 4-H or FFA member may apply.

One of the eight heifers was sponsored by the U of M Beef Team.

Above: Minnesota Youth Beef Experience Program workshop.
  

Register Now for SowBridge Breeding Herd Education Series
Source: Mark Whitney, U of M Extension

The first year of the SowBridge Breeding Herd Education Series just finished and registrations are now being taken for the next year of the program, which will begin November 5. 

“The SowBridge program provides valuable information on the daily care and management of the sow herd from breeding through lactation, as well as piglet care,” states Mark Whitney, swine specialist with U of M Extension. “We have brought together national industry experts to discuss options for key issues affecting this segment of the pork industry.”

The distance learning program is designed for owners, employees, technicians, managers and technical service providers involved in managing or caring for boars, sows and/or their litters. Each month a new program is presented, lasting approximately 45 minutes. 

Presentations are mailed on a CD to participants one week prior to the program. Participants follow along with the presentations on their computer while listening to the presenter via a toll-free telephone line. “Many breeding/gestation units have had employees view and listen over their noon break, using a speaker telephone,” states Whitney. 

The program topics and speakers are:

• Composting Mortalities, with Dr. Bob Thaler, South Dakota State University (November 5, 2008)
• Proper Euthanasia of Sows and Piglets, with Dr. John Deen, University of Minnesota (December 3, 2008)
• Breeding Management in Pens and Stalls, with Bob Ivey, Maxwell Foods (January 7, 2009)
• Crossfostering and Bump Weaning, with Dr. Barb Straw, Michigan State University (February 4, 2009)
• Optimizing Sow Performance with Rescue Decks, with Jon Hoek, Belstra Milling Co., Inc. (March 4, 2009)
• Creep Feeding, with Dr. Joel DeRouchey, Kansas State University (April 1, 2009)
• Reproductive Manipulation using PG600, with Dr. Rob Knox, University of Illinois (May 6, 2009)
• Reproductive Manipulation using Matrix, with Dr. Ron Bates, Michigan State University (June 10, 2009)
• On-Farm Semen Evaluation, with Dr. Wayne Singleton, Purdue University (July 1, 2009)
• Induction of Farrowing, with Dr. Tim Safranski, University of Missouri (August 5, 2009)
• Sow Watch and Piglet Care the First 24 Hours, with Matt Davis, Hord Livestock (September 2, 2009)
• Effective Pest and Rodent Control, with Dr. Ralph Williams, Purdue University (October 7, 2009)

Registration and program information are available on the Swine Extension website. The cost of registration and all materials is $250 for all 12 programs. To ensure that materials are received in time for the first program, registrations must be received by October 20. Phone registrations can also be completed by calling Sherry Hoyer at (515) 294-4496.
  

Community Fund Drive Raises $$ for MN Charities

The U of M's annual community fund-raising effort, which runs October 1-31, enables members of the campus community to pull together to raise awareness and money for hundreds of local charities. The University has teamed up with respected, well-run organizations that support social services, education, arts, and health, to make it easy for faculty and staff to give to the community. The best part is, you can choose where your money goes, selecting from a wide variety of worthy causes. See Charitable Federations on the Community Fund Drive website.

This year, the Department of Animal Science has a competition going with the Department of Food Science and Nutrition over which department will raise the most. If Animal Science wins, Food Science and Nutrition will treat us to an ice cream social; if Food Science and Nutrition wins, we treat them to a chili feed. So let's all do our best to pledge the most. Remember, a small donation every week will make a big difference in someone's life!

Also, consider one or both of the fun activities that CFANS is offering to raise funds:

• Chili Cook-Off - $6.00
  Room 125 Coffey Hall, October 31, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  There will be many different types of chili to try... buffalo chili, vegetarian, venison, apple chicken, and plenty of others.
  We also have your favorite fixins'.
  

• Candy Grams - $2.00 or three for $5.00
  Say "Thank You" or "Job Well Done" to a friend or colleague.
  Choose from M&Ms, Peanut M&Ms, Skittles, 100 Grand, or Snickers.
  Order by October 31 - Stop by 277 Coffey Hall, or call 612-624-1234 or email landx001@umn.edu
  

All proceeds from these activities will go to the Community Fund Drive.

Find more information about the Community Fund Drive on their website. You can also make your pledge online!
   

5th Annual Angus Production Sale at NCROC

The 5th Annual U of M and Guests Angus Cattle Production Sale will be held at the Beef and Forage Research Farm (south beef unit) at the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids on Saturday, October 25, 2008.

Sale cattle will be available for viewing Friday afternoon (October 24) and Saturday morning (October 25). The sale format will be silent auction with bidding opening at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Bethany Funnell highlights the sale offerings to include pregnant yearling heifers and spring cows, fall pairs, heifer and bull calves.

The Sale Catalog can be downloaded off the web. To request a printed Catalog or for more information, contact Dr. Bethany Funnell at (218) 327-4490.
   

MN Cattle Feeder Days Coming in December

Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days will be held at 5 locations around the state in 2008. On December 9 a morning program will be held at Morris (9:30-2:00 p.m.) and an evening program at Luverne ( 5:30-9:00 p.m.); December 10 at Slayton (9:30-2:00 p.m.); and on December 11, a morning program at Lamberton (9:30-2:00 p.m.) and an evening program at Rochester (5:30-9:00 p.m.).

This years topics include Backgrounding Calves—Strategies and Management; Corn Utilization Options; Mixing Feedlot Diets Containing Co-products; Value of Manure in Feedlots; and Updates on Bovine TB and Livestock Assessment.

Registration is $30.00 per person and includes a meal and program proceedings.

For more information, visit the Beef Team website.
   

Beef Cattle Home Study Courses Offered for 2009

The Minnesota Beef Team is offering two Beef Cattle Home Study Courses for 2009. The first course addresses management considerations to reduce the risk of Bovine TB. This course will be offered free of charge for producers living within the Minnesota Modified Accredited Split State Area, and $50 for producers living outside the area. Topics include: The Biology of Bovine TB, Regulations and Timeline for Controlling TB, Biosecurity, Recordkeeping and Traceability, Cattle Handling and Facilities, and Marketing Options.

The second offering will be a Stocker Backgrounder course with topics that include: Preconditioning, Health, Nutrition, Grazing Management, Facilities Design, and Economics. Registration for this course has been set at $50.

Registration will be due for both courses in mid-December, 2008. Look for more sign-up information (coming soon) on the Beef Team website.
   

Accounting Update
October, 2008

With the implementation of the new Enterprise Financial System, we have new and/or revised University and collegiate accounting policies and practices. Please keep in mind these supersede any departmental policies and will bring consistency in practices across all units in the College.

Effective October 1, 2008, we are no longer allowed to pay vendor invoices without an approved purchase order. The acceptable purchasing options include:

• Purchasing cards – for purchases $2,499.99 or less.
• Purchase order
• Personal reimbursements – limited to emergency purchases of $500 or less (non-travel).

Purchasing Card Policy

The University of Minnesota procurement card program enables authorized employees (on payroll) to make business-related purchases for goods and standard services (not professional services) up to $2,499.99 on sponsored and non-sponsored accounts. Purchases made through this program must comply with University Purchasing policies and procedures as well as special requirements of projects supported by sponsored funds. Cards may not be used for personal purchases or loaned to another individual.

Please note that these cards can be used for airfare, conference registration, and car rental. They cannot be used for hotel, meal per diem, or combined airfare/hotel packages.

Having a purchasing card is a privilege. As a cardholder, you are required to comply with policy and procedure. Please note the following:

• Receipts must be turned in at time of purchase. Please attach them to the purchasing card transaction form and get all necessary signatures. The new system requires that we reconcile each purchase separately as opposed to the previous system, which had a week's worth of charges on one statement. 
• Purchasing card transaction forms can be picked up in the Accounting offices or from the CFANS websites. Please use this form only.
• Complete justifications including who, what, where, when and why must be included on the form. If purchasing on a grant, you need to also indicate the benefit to the grant.
• Please include the complete account string to charge.
• Failure to comply with these procedures will result in one warning and then the deactivation of your card. 

Purchase Orders

• When you receive a package, please submit your signed packing slip to the Accounting office.
• Please keep a copy of your purchase order request form rather than requesting a hard copy of your purchase order from the accounting staff. Be Green!

Personal Reimbursements

• It is recommended that emergency purchases be charged to the purchasing card. However, if that is not an option, employees may purchase items under $500 needed for emergencies and request reimbursement with proper documentation including original receipts and authorized signature.

Correcting UStores Orders

If you place direct orders to UStores, it is your responsibility to follow up to ensure your orders are processed. You should be receiving emails as the order goes thru the system. The usual reasons for denial of the order are incorrect account string including the category (account) code or a missing or incomplete justification. When your order is denied, please follow the following steps to find the reason and make the corrections.

How to find UStores requisition errors and how to correct them:

If you receive an email that a requisition has been denied, the best way to find the reason is to go to eProcurement > Manage Requisitions > find your requisition line (please note that you may have to change the date range if you started the order more than 7 days earlier) > in the Select Action box, choose View Approvals > click Go.

The next screen will have all the details of your order, and near the bottom of the screen you will see Review/Edit Approvers. There will be a line for each item you ordered. If the box is red, your approver has returned the order because of some problem. There will be a note from your approver in each box explaining why the order was returned.

To correct the problem, you can click on Return to Manage Requisitions at the very bottom of the screen. Again, find your requisition line. In the Select Action box, choose Edit Requisition and click Go. This will take you back into your requisition where you can make the necessary changes and then submit it for approval again.

If you have an Incorrect Account Code on a UStores order, follow these instructions:

Go to eProcurement > Manage Requisitions > find your requisition line (please note that you may have to change the date range if you started the order more than 7 days earlier) > in the Select Action box, choose Edit Requisition > click Go. Once you get into your requisition, delete the item that has the incorrect account code. Then click on "2. Add Items and Services" (across the top of the page). Click on the web tab to get into UStores to add this item again. Enter your item number and add your item. BE SURE TO CHANGE THE CATEGORY as it might default to equipment, which is sometimes the cause of the problem. Submit your cart. You are just adding the one item to your cart; your other items will remain on the order. You DO NOT have to add them again.

It is recommended that you enter your accounting/shipping information again. Check the Select All box and click Modify Line/Shipping/Accounting. Yes, you will have to re-enter the Ship To and all the other information. Click Apply to return to the order then Save and Submit.

To avoid all these steps, please make sure you choose the correct category before you submit your UStores cart.
  

New on the Animal Science Website

The Animal Science website now offers Giving Opportunities where you can learn more about donating to the Department. Donations help support fellowships and scholarships, research, outreach programs, and activities that enhance the educational experience of our students. Donations make a significant difference for our students, faculty and staff – and they’re tax-deductible!

We hope you will consider giving to the Department of Animal Science.
  

Our Condolences

Our condolences to the family and friends of Kenneth W. Sandberg, 83, of Burnsville, MN. Ken passed away on Thursday, October 9 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease.

Ken worked for the Department of Animal Science at Rosemount (now UMore Park) as manager of the poultry (turkey) unit for 45 years before retiring in 1992. He started working there just shortly after the property was obtained for agriculture research in 1947.

When Ken first started at Rosemount, he worked with Dr. Robert Shoffner and Dr. Robert Berg conducting genetic selection and breeding studies on turkeys and chickens. When Rosemount was expanded in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the addition of five new buildings, the number of staff was increased to six total and he continued to be in charge of the unit with additional responsibilities for both nutrition and breeding studies involving Dr. Paul Waibel, Dr. William Burke and Dr. Mohamed El Halawani, and later Dr. Sally Noll.

Ken's responsibilities were quite broad - bird care, collecting data, working with the researchers, mixing feed, and directing the staff. With his number of years there, he saw a great many changes in the focus of research at Rosemount and the vast amount of research that was being conducted.

Ken had a great and very detailed memory. At Dr. Shoffner's retirement reception, Ken gave a review of the history of  Rosemount. He started with the year of 1945 and about one 1/2 hour later he was up to the mid-1960s. He did manage to wrap up the rest of the presentation although in a more timely manner as the audience was getting a bit restless. It's unfortunate though that someone didn't record that wealth of information he gave the group that evening.

Ken always gave his best to the unit and worked hard for the faculty setting a tradition followed by the current employees.  When he retired, eventually he was able to do the world travel he had wanted to do for a long time.
  

U of M Legislative Network Needs You

Ensuring the excellence of a U of M education has always been a priority for state and University leaders. This priority will be challenged in January when state legislators meet to plan Minnesota’s two-year budget. Twenty-five percent of the University's budget comes from the state. With the expected $1 billion state deficit, the University needs you to be an advocate now more than ever.

Join the U of M Legislative Network and help keep the University's value to Minnesota front and center at the state capitol. Your voice, combined with others across the state, can have a powerful impact. Last year the Network helped members of the U of M's 2008 state campaign send more than 2,800 letters to their elected officials. Each letter only took a few moments to send, making it easy for members to have an impact.

Visit the Legislative Network website to learn more about the Network or to look into becoming a member. 
  

Homecoming 2008

U of M Homecoming 2008 kicks off on October 27 and ends with the traditional football game on November 1. Homecoming events include live concerts, sports competitions, philanthropy events, pep rallies, games, royalty coronation and more.

The Homecoming parade will march along University Avenue beginning at 9:00 a.m. on November 1. U of M alumnus and Disney's Stan Freese will lead the parade with his friend, world-famous Disney character Mickey Mouse!

Following the parade at 11:00 am., the Gophers will take on Northwestern at the Metrodome. This will be the last year the Gophers will play the Metrodome. By September of 2009, the new TCF Bank Stadium will be ready for its first game.

The CFANS Alumni Society has a reserved section for the game. Tickets are $25 per person and seats are located in Section 203, Rows 8-13. Order your game tickets online.

Visit the U of M's Homecoming website for more information about campus-wide activities.
   

SASS Offers Time Management and Test Taking Skills Workshops

The Student Academic Success Services (SASS) office is offering three mid-semester workshops for students. These workshops are excellent opportunities for students who need to fine-tune their time management or test taking skills. Consider these informative and practical 1-hour workshops:

• Ace Your Midterms and Finals
  Location: 202 Eddy Hall
  Date: Thursday, October 30th
  Time: 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm      

• Time Management Refresher
  Location: 202 Eddy Hall
  Date: Wednesday, November 5th
  Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm      

• Staying on Track (... if your falling behind)
  Location: 202 Eddy Hall
  Date: Thursday, November 6th
  Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm      

For more information, see SASS Workshops, or call 612-624-3323 to register.
  

Jolene Kelzer

Jolene Kelzer is originally from Randall, MN, where her parents still own a family beef cow/calf operation. She completed her BS in Animal Science in 2006 at North Dakota State University and MS in Dairy Nutrition in 2008 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln under the supervision of Dr. Paul Kononoff.

Jolene recently started her PhD program in Animal Science at the U of M. She is co-advised by Drs. Alfredo DiCostanzo and Ryon Walker, and is involved with Minnesota Beef Research and Education Team activities.

Currently, Jolene is working on several research projects involving beef feedlot nutrition and fall/winter grazing strategies for beef cattle. 

Outside of school, Jolene enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, working and showing cattle, participating in outdoor activities, public speaking, reading, and exercising.
  

Dr. Phil Goodrich of the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering retired after over 38 years at the U of M. Friends and colleagues gathered together on October 9 to help him celebrate his retirement.

Gretchen and Kyle Rozeboom are expecting their third child in late February.

Dr. Margot Rudstrom joined the faculty in the Agriculture Department at the U of M-Crookston in September. In her new position as assistant professor, Margot will be teaching agricultural business and economics. Her research interests include dairy risk management, milk marketing, low input dairy systems, economics of compost barns, and strategic planning. Margot is formerly an associate extension educator with U of M Extension at West Central ROC in Morris.

Jon Schefers, a 2006 Animal Science graduate from the U of M-Twin Cities successfully defended his Masters thesis on September 19 at the UW-Madison. His thesis title was: Examination of factors affecting reproductive performance and heat stress in lactating Holstein cows using model trees. Jon will continue his Ph.D. at the UW-Madison.
   

Drs. Krishona Martinson, Jim Mickelson, Stephanie Valberg and Molly McCue were awarded a $550,000 USDA National Research Initiative Competitive Grant. Project title: Research and Extension programs for equine metabolic syndrome and shivers.

Dr. Laura Mauro received a $50,000 Obesity Consortium of Minnesota Pilot and Feasibility Award. Project title: Role of skeletal hormones in adipocyte differentiation and function. Period: 9/1/08-8/31/09.
 

- October 2008 -

2 - PorkBridge "Ventilation Basics, Adjustments, and Maintenance" - remote program via phone and computer - (noon and 7:00 p.m.). Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

4 - Fall Regional Horse Owner Program (12:30-4:00 p.m.), Science Building, U of M, Morris. Contact: Krishona Martinson, 612-625-6776.

8 - Graduate and Professional School Day (10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.), Great Hall, Coffman Union, U of M, Minneapolis Campus. Contact: Career & Community Learning Center, 612-624-7577.

13 - Facility Design & Cattle Handing Clinic (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.), Knebel Red Angus Farm, Warroad, MN. Contact: Denise Plonis, 218-327-4490.

13 - Facility Design & Cattle Handing Clinic (6:30-9:00 p.m.), Deans Lancaster Family Diner, Lancaster, MN. Contact: Denise Plonis, 218-327-4490.

14 - Facility Design & Cattle Handing Clinic (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.), Bagley Livestock Exchange, Bagley, MN. Contact: Denise Plonis, 218-327-4490.

14 - Facility Design & Cattle Handing Clinic (6:30-9:00 p.m.), City Auditorium, Thief River Falls, MN. Contact: Denise Plonis, 218-327-4490.

16-19 - Minnesota Beef Expo, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Avenue N., St. Paul, MN. Contact: Minnesota Beef Expo, 651-643-6476.

18 - Fall Regional Horse Owner Program (12:30-4:00 p.m.), Northwest Technical College, Bemidji, MN. Contact: Krishona Martinson, 612-625-6776.

18 - Equine Fall Conference - program for veterinarians - Nutrena Conference Hall, Equine Center, U of M, St. Paul Campus. Contact: Veterinary Continuing Education, 800-380-8636 or 612-624-3434.

22-25 - 81st National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, IN.

23 - Symposium: Future Food Scarcities? Global Causes, Local Consequences (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.), McNamara Alumni Center, U of M, Minneapolis Campus. Contact: Jean Kinsey, 612-625-7019.

24 - Equine Behavior Changes: Is it really just mental?! (dinner at 5:00 p.m.; lecture to follow), Leatherdale Equine Center, U of M, St. Paul Campus. RSVP to: Equine Club.

25 - Fall Regional Horse Owner Program (12:30-4:00 p.m.), Minnehaha Elementary School, Two Harbors, MN. Contact: Krishona Martinson, 612-625-6776.

25 - 5th Annual Angus Production Sale, North Central ROC, Grand Rapids, MN. Contact: Dr. Bethany Funnell, 218-327-4490.

- November 2008 -

1 - Minnesota Goat Breeders Conference, St. Paul, MN. Contact: Laura Kieser, 952-492-5410.

13-14 - 7th International Bird Flu Summit, Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd., South Las Vegas, NV. Contact: New-Fields Exhibitions, Inc., 202-536-5000.

17-18 - Agricultural Workforce Management Conference, Days Inn, Brookings, SD. Sponsored by SDSU. Contact: Tracey Renelt, 605-854-3851.

22 - Fall Regional Horse Owner Program (9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), Cambridge-Isanti High School, Cambridge, MN. Contact: Krishona Martinson, 612-625-6776.

22-23 - Thanksgiving Holiday - U of M-Twin Cities is closed
 

- December 2008 -

4 - Fall Forage Day (noon-3:00 p.m.), Jordan, MN. Contact: Laura Kieser, 952-492-5410.

4-5 - Artificial Insemination Training Course, Southern ROC, Waseca, MN. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

5-7 - Minnesota State Cattlemen's Convention, Craguns Resort, Brainerd, MN.

9 - Dairy Calf and Heifer 2008 Profit Seminar, MidWay Hotel, 1835 Rose Street, LaCrosse, WI. Contact: DCHA, 636-449-5077.

9 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Day (9:30-2:00 p.m.), Morris, MN. For more information, visit the Beef Team website.

9 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Day (5:30-9:00 p.m.), Luverne, MN. For more information, visit the Beef Team website.

9-10 - Midwest Dairy Expo, St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud, MN. Contact: Eir Garcia-Silva, MMPA, 763-355-9697 or Jim Salfer, U of M Extension, 320-203-6093.

10 - Minnesota Dairy Leaders Roundtable Meeting (12:30-3:00 p.m.) - in conjunction with the Midwest Dairy Expo - St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud, MN. Contact: Ed Frederick, 507-835-3422.

10 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Day (9:30-2:00 p.m.), Slayton, MN. For more information, visit the Beef Team website.

11 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Day (9:30-2:00 p.m.), Lamberton, MN. For more information, visit the Beef Team website.

11 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Day (5:30-9:00 p.m.), Rochester, MN. For more information, visit the Beef Team website.

11 - Farm Transfer and Estate Planning workshop (9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.), Cologne, MN. Contact: Laura Kieser, 952-492-5410.

20 - End of Fall Term
  

- January 2009 -

21 - Martin Luther King Holiday - U of M-Twin Cities is closed

22 - Spring Semester classes begin
  

- February 2009 -

9 - U of M Job and Internship Fair (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.), Minneapolis Convention Center. Free. Transportation available (free shuttle buses from the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses).

12-13 - Swine Wean to Finish Training Course, Southern ROC, Waseca, MN. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

16 - Carver County/U of M Dairy Expo, Norwood-Young America, MN. Contact: Laura Kieser, 952-492-5410.