AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science

October 2010

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

Notes from the Department Head

The Benefits of Agricultural Research

Research is the engine that drives knowledge and learning. The investment made in research has a great payback to society in increased productivity, new technological advancements, and improved quality of life. One of the highest return areas for investment of research dollars is agriculture. Julian Alston, an economist at the University of California, and colleagues have recently published several papers looking at how rates of return are measured on research, most notably agricultural research. One of the key findings is that research is an investment with a great payback; however, it takes several years to harvest the full benefit. The average peak return on agricultural research isn’t realized until 24 years after the research was conducted. Some agricultural research has a much quicker generation and return time of only a couple years while other research may require 50 years plus and some is forever enduring. They also showed that marginal increments of state invested agricultural research returned between $2 and $58 per research dollar invested. Specifically for Minnesota, the benefit-cost ratio was 41 to 1 for every state dollar invested in research and if the benefit measures were expanded outside of Minnesota to a national level, the return increased to 55 to 1 for every dollar spent on research. There is no question that spending for agricultural research has had a high rate of return in improving our food production capability and feeding both a domestic and global population over the last 100 years. 

Data from the USDA Economic Research Service indicate total (public and private) funding for all agricultural research has increased from slightly under $5 billion in 1970 to about $9 billion in 2000. Public funded areas of agricultural research include plants and animals used in agricultural production; the natural resources that are used or affected by agriculture production; production systems and their support; food and non-food products; human nutrition, well-being, and food safety; families and community systems; economics, marketing and policy; and research administration. Public funding for all this research has remained stagnant at about $4 billion since 1990. Privately funded ag research has supported the modest growth in agricultural research funding over the last two decades. 

At this year’s Al Leman Swine Conference at the University of Minnesota, Mike Tokach and his colleagues at Kansas State presented a paper titled “Where has all the research gone”.  The paper addressed concerns for funding and loss of public funding for applied swine research and what this meant for the U.S. swine industry long term and the global leadership role that U.S. swine has had in swine research and production over the years. One of the areas Tokach and colleagues specifically addressed was loss of public funding means loss of people entering the swine industry. One of the key and most concerning questions regarding applied research funding is who will develop tomorrow’s researchers, educators, and technical service people for the industry. As research becomes more privatized and internal, will the knowledge be shared to develop tomorrow’s agriculturalist needed to continue the exploration and development of productivity systems to meet the food needs of a growing global population?

University of Minnesota Agricultural Economist Philip Pardey has conducted research to show that the loss of public funding in agricultural research means loss of U.S. agriculture productivity. The current rate of growth in U.S. farm productivity is slightly more than 1% compared to over 2% in the 1950s. This slowdown in growth is directly related to reduced public expenditures in agricultural research and subsequently fewer people working in agricultural to discover new knowledge and ideas.

The investment in agricultural research is for tomorrow, not today. When someone says, “what did you do for me today”, it doesn’t pertain to agricultural research because what you have today in high agricultural productivity and a low cost food system is a result of investments in agricultural research and education 24 years ago. Please let our state legislators and congressional representatives know that funding for agriculture programs today is not adequate for the agricultural commodity growth and the replacement of the research and education infrastructure we need in the future to meet global food demands. Funding of agricultural research has in the past and will continue to pay big dividends for our society.   
 

Faculty Highlights

Dr. Allen Bridges

Dr. Allen Bridges is a newly hired (since August of 2010) assistant professor at the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids, MN. He is a reproductive physiologist who has both a research and extension appointment. His research and extension programs focus primarily on beef cattle and he will be a new addition to the U of M Beef Team. Prior to joining the U of M, Dr. Bridges was on faculty at Purdue University for 2½ years.

Dr. Bridges’ two major research foci are investigating factors that influence ooctye quality and embryo survivability, and nutritional regulation of reproductive processes. Many factors impact the ability of a cow to conceive and maintain a pregnancy. These include the hormonal environment that the oocyte was exposed to prior to ovulation and the ability of the uterus to provide an environment that promotes embryonic development and maintenance of pregnancy. Therefore, much of Allen’s more fundamental research involves investigating the interplay between gonadotropins, follicular steroid production, oocyte viability, uterine function, and early embryonic development. His long-term goal is to integrate knowledge obtained through these fundamental research discoveries toward development of improved reproductive management strategies that increase reproductive efficiency and ultimately beef producer profitability.

Another major area of focus has been developing innovative methods to facilitate estrous synchronization and timed artificial insemination in beef cows and heifers. Currently, he is leading a large multi-state/multi-institution collaborative research project investigating a new protocol to synchronize estrus and facilitate timed-AI in beef cattle. In the area of nutrition and reproduction, Dr. Bridges’ lab has been investigating how various feedstuffs can impact reproductive processes such as puberty attainment and postpartum fertility. Overlaid with this area of research, his lab has initiated projects focused in the area of developmental programming, asking the question; can what we feed a pregnant cow to impact her future fertility as well as impact the performance of her calf? Dr Bridges has been fortunate to develop strong national and international collaborations to assist him in achieving many of his research goals.

Dr. Bridges has three key beef cattle extension focus areas; 1) providing producers with information on sound reproductive management practices, 2) developing and implementing management strategies to reduce input costs while maintaining reproductive efficiency, and 3) relaying information on the benefits of adapting progressive reproductive technologies and management practices. His goal as an extension educator is to provide producers the knowledge and tools they need to optimize reproductive efficiency in their operations and subsequently improve their viability and sustainability in animal agriculture. Allen will work closely with the other members of the Beef Team to continue delivering valuable outreach education to Minnesota’s beef producers.

The northwoods of Minnesota are an ideal place for Dr. Bridges, his wife Johnna, and son Garrett to live. When not busy with research or extension engagements, he and his family enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, hunting, and playing several sports.
 

News and Announcements

Golombeski & Phillips Recognized by Midwest ADSA/ASAS

The Midwest Branch of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) has named Greg Golombeski as a 2011 Young Dairy Scholar, and the Midwestern Section of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) named Christina Phillips as a 2011 Animal Science Young Scholar.

Greg and Christina have been invited to present their research in a oral presentations at the Midwest ADSA/ASAS Annual Meeting being held in Des Moines, IA, March 14-16, 2011. They will both receive a plaque, a stipend to assist with travel to Des Moines, and free meeting registration. 

The purpose of the Young Scholars program is to recognize and feature the research accomplishments of recent PhD graduates or current PhD students who are in the advanced stages of their degree program, and provide them with the opportunity to present research findings to an audience of academic and industry professionals.

Greg will be completing his PhD requirements by the end of fall semester 2010. His advisors are Drs. Jim Linn and Hugh Chester-Jones.

Christina plans to graduate with a PhD in the spring of 2011. She is advised by Drs. Yuzhi Li and Jerry Shurson.

U of M Team was 1st at Harrisburg, 2nd at Madison in Dairy Cattle Judging

The U of M placed 1st overall among 14 university teams in the All-American Dairy Show collegiate judging contest, Harrisburg, PA, on September 20. Team members were Megan Herberg, St. Peter, MN; Caitlin Kasper, Owatonna, MN; Mikayla Krause, Milmine, IL; and Abby Udermann, Sartell, MN. The Minnesota team also placed 2nd in oral reasons, 1st in Jersey, 2nd in Brown Swiss, 3rd in Holstein, and 5th in Guernsey. Individually, Krause was 2nd overall, 7th in reasons, 1st in Jersey, and 3rd in Holstein, and Udermann was 4th overall, 3rd in reasons, and 5th in Brown Swiss. 

One week later on September 27, the same team of four women placed 2nd overall among 20 universities in the National Collegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo, Madison, WI. Furthermore, the team was 1st in oral reasons, 1st in Jersey, 2nd in Milking Shorthorn, 2nd in Red & White, 3rd in Ayrshire, 3rd in Guernsey, and 5th in Brown Swiss. Individually, Herberg was 3rd overall, 4th in reasons, 1st in Holstein, and 2nd in Guernsey. Kasper was 4th overall, 5th in reasons, and 2nd in Jersey. Udermann was 7th overall, 6th in reasons, 1st in Guernsey, 1st in Red & White, and Krause was 3rd in Guernsey. For 8 of the past 10 years, the U of M has placed among the top 4 teams in the national collegiate contest.

Herberg, Kasper, Krause, and Udermann are students in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the U of M. Coaches for the U of M dairy cattle judging teams are Dr. Les Hansen, and alumni Scott Ellinghuysen (Altura, MN) and Alicia Thurk (Villard, MN). 

1st team in Harrisburg and 2nd team in Madison for collegiate dairy cattle judging contests from the U of M (L-R): Dr. Les Hansen (coach), Caitlin Kasper, Megan Herberg, Mikayla Krause, Abby Udermann, Alicia Thurk (coach), and Scott Ellinghuysen (coach).
  

U of M Earns 3rd Spot in Accelerated Genetics Dairy Cattle Judging Contest

The U of M placed 3rd overall among 11 teams in the dairy cattle judging contest hosted by Accelerated Genetics at the Vernon County Fair, Viroqua, WI, on September 19. The Minnesota team also placed 1st in oral reasons, 2nd in Brown Swiss, 2nd in Holstein, and 4th in Jersey.

Team members were Emily Achen, Sauk Centre, MN; Caitlin Durow, Mazeppa, MN; Elizabeth Olson, Hutchinson, MN; and Karen Anderson, Lester Prairie, MN. Individually, Achen was 5th overall, 9th in reasons, 2nd in Jersey, and 4th in Brown Swiss. Durow was 6th overall, 2nd in reasons, 2nd in Brown Swiss, and 2nd in Holstein. Olson was 1st in reasons and 5th in Guernsey, and Anderson was 8th in reasons.

Furthermore, Olson and Durow received $350 and $250 scholarships from the James Crowley Fund for placing 1st and 2nd, respectively, in oral reasons. All four students are in their junior year in the U of M's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. The same team of four women will compete in the collegiate dairy cattle judging contest held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY, on November 7. 

Top 5 teams in the Accelerated Genetics contest were:

1. Iowa State University
2. UW-Platteville
3. University of Minnesota
4. UW-River Falls
5. UW-Madison

Dr. Les Hansen, and alumni Scott Ellinghuysen (Altura, MN) and Alicia Thurk (Villard, MN) coach the dairy cattle judging teams for the University of Minnesota.

3rd place team in the Accelerated Genetics collegiate dairy cattle judging contest from the U of M (L-R): Dr. Les Hansen (coach), Karen Anderson, Caitlin Durow, Elizabeth Olson, Emily Achen, Alicia Thurk (coach), and Scott Ellinghuysen (coach).
  

Shurson Addresses DDGS Issues in Turkey and Egypt

Dr. Jerry Shurson recently visited Turkey and Egypt with the U.S. Grains Council to meet with government officials, feed industry, and livestock and poultry industry leaders to evaluate importation and usage issues related to dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). Turkey is currently the 4th largest export market for U.S. DDGS and the Turkish government is in the process of implementing new feed laws and quality standards that will likely impact U.S. DDGS exports. Egypt is also becoming a significant market for U.S. DDGS but several factors need to be addressed including distribution infrastructure, technical assistance, and more involvement among existing importers in order for DDGS usage to continue to increase in the poultry, buffalo and aquaculture industries.

 
Above: Shurson visited a buffalo feedlot near
El Abour in Northeast Egypt where U.S. DDGS
is being included at 20% of the ration.
 

Midwest Dairy Expo on November 30 & December 1 in St. Cloud
Source: Eir GarciaSilva, Minnesota Milk Producers Association

There’s something for everyone at the Midwest Dairy Expo: Small Decisions Changing Lives this November 30th and December 1st at the St. Cloud Civic Center in St. Cloud, MN. This expo is the Midwest’s premier dairy show featuring the best in educational and networking opportunities for today’s dairy producer. This year’s event features a free trade show with nearly 150 exhibitors, excellent education sessions, and plenty of time to network with fellow members of the dairy industry.

Tuesday’s program features keynote speaker Scott Brown from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) who will discuss “The Road for Future Farm Policy: What will Shape the 2012 Farm Bill.”  Brown will give insights on the issues that will influence the next farm bill including the effect of the federal budget deficit, ways to provide an adequate safety net for producers, and the role of trade agreements. In the afternoon, he will present “Today’s Tools Dairy Producers Have to Reduce Financial Risk”.

Dr. Marcia Endres from the Department of Animal Science at the U of M will present “Keeping Your Cows Comfortable” on Tuesday and Wednesday. Dr. Endres will share some of the recent applied research results on dairy management and cow comfort from the U of M. This includes optimizing the use of recycled manure solids for bedding and evaluation of cross-ventilated freestall barns. 

You won’t want to miss Sarah (Bedgar) Wilson, a dairy farmer’s wife from North Dakota, as she leads an extended session each day. Tuesday’s session, “I’ve Got Sun in the Morning,” will feature downright hilarious stories of life as a farmer’s daughter, farm wife and mother. 

Everyday agriculture is under attack by a tangled web of activist groups so Wednesday’s session, “Activism and Agriculture”, will share secrets the media won’t tell you and will give useful tools to become an activist FOR agriculture. 

Dr. Larry Tranel, ISU Extension, will help dairy farmers become millionaires in his Tuesday morning breakout session entitled, “Millionaire Model Dairy Farms”.  In the afternoon, Dr. Tranel will talk about how to design and build a low-cost milking parlor.

Other sessions include Brian Schoenborn from Leonard, Street and Deinard on succession and estate planning, Dr. Andy Mueller from Land O’Lakes, Inc. on dairy nutrition, Dr. Ricardo Chebel from Veterinary Population Medicine at the U of M on reproduction systems, and a panel on “Maintaining Your Social License to Dairy”. 

Dr. Lance Fox with Alpharma Animal Health will take you “No Place But UP™” at the evening awards banquet. You will not only live the experience of going up to the top of the world, but will be challenged to pursue with passion the “Everest” that lies within. Don’t miss Dr. Fox as he also leads a breakout on Tuesday entitled “The 5 C’s of Calf Raising”, and another breakout on Wednesday entitled “Scours versus Pneumonia: Understanding Both Ends”.

For only $35, one Deluxe Registration includes up to five meals, access to all educational keynote and breakout sessions, entrance to all networking opportunities including the social and auction, and entrance to the trade show. Go to www.mnmilk.org/midwestdairyexpo for additional information and online registration.
  

MPC Scholarship/Internship Opportunity!

The Midwest Poultry Consortium (MPC) offers up to 30 scholarships for undergraduate students to take a curriculum of three poultry science classes at UW-Madison. The MPC's Center of Excellence (COE) summer program offers classes taught by faculty from participating land grant universities and poultry industry experts. Up to nine credits can be earned for each summer session, and the credits transfer to the students’ home universities and are accepted towards graduation. Paid internships are provided by MPC member companies to students accepted into the program. You cannot find an opportunity like this anywhere else! All majors welcome to apply!

Some changes have been made to the application process this year:

• The application deadline is December 1, 2010.
• On-line application process only; apply at www.mwpoultry.org/COE_application.php.
• Internship commitment; if the intern does not complete the program, the scholarship will be revoked and the student will have to repay the Consortium.
• Phone interviews will be part of the application evaluation process.

For more information, visit the MPC-COE website at www.mwpoultry.org/. The contact at the U of M is Dr. Sally Noll, Extension Poultry Specialist, Department of Animal Science.
  

MTGA Funded Research Presented at Turkey Research Review

The Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA) hosted their annual Turkey Research Review meeting in Willmar, MN, on September 28. Speakers from the U of M provided updates on research funded by the MTGA, Midwest Poultry Consortium, and other sources.

Presentations included: Effect of Thermal Conditioning on Breeder Hen Turkeys Reproductive Performance (Mohamed El Halawani); Energy Value of Corn Co-Products as Affected by Fat and Fiber Components (Sally Noll); Development of Immunogens to Protect Against Turkey Cellulitis, Part II (Doug Foster); Lowered Oligosaccharide SBM in Turkey Diets, funded AURI and Minnesota Soybean Association (Sally Noll); Is Turkey Litter an Asset or a Liability: Crop Production and Environmental Impacts of Utilization on Two Field Scales (John Moncrief); Preliminary Studies into the Roll of Gut Condition in Light Turkey Syndrome (Alamanda Calvert).

Also on the program was Nancy Shappell from the USDA/ARS (ND) speaking on Cooperation from Minnesota to Ohio, Maryland, and North Carolina – Manure Practices Associated with Poultry Rearing, Evaluation of Environmental Impacts.
  

Steve Olsen Guest Speaker at Poultry Club Meeting

Gopher Poultry Science Club held their first meeting of the fall semester on September 22. Steve Olsen (Executive Director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Broiler and Egg Association of Minnesota, Midwest Poultry Federation, and Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council) spoke about possible opportunities for club involvement. One of the opportunities would be club field trips to commercial operations, which the club is looking forward to planning and attending.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Gopher Poultry Science Club or learning more about the poultry industry (Minnesota is #1 in turkey production!) should contact Alamanda Calvert. The next club meeting will be held Tuesday, October 26 at 6:00 pm in 365 Haecker Hall. All are welcome!
  

MN Nutrition Conference Drew 200+

The 71st Minnesota Nutrition Conference drew over 200 participants from 20 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces to the Holiday Inn-Owatonna on September 21 and 22. The 2010 program kicked off with a Symposium sponsored by Alltech entitled "Redefining Trace Mineral Nutrition: Less is More" with presentations by Rebecca Timmons (Alltech), Gretchen Hill (MSU), Tony Pescatore (U of KY) and Simon Timmermans (The Beef Connection).

Updates on U of M Livestock Research were presented by U of M faculty Drs. Yuzhi Li, Brad Heins, Krishona Martinson, John Moncrief and Larry Jacobson, and Animal Science graduate students Bill Weich, Jolene Kelzer and Jenna Pomerenke. The U of M Update session has grown in popularity amongst attendees. More people are attending the first day of the conference because they can attend a focused symposium and hear the latest results of U of M research.

The second day of the Conference offered sessions on Ruminant nutrition, Non-ruminant (swine, poultry) nutrition, and Equine nutrition. The Ruminant session included presentations by Drs. Allen Bridges (NC ROC), Mark Corrigan (Lallemand), Ryan Cox (U of M), Grant Crawford (U of M Extension), Udaya DeSilva (OSU), Essi Evans (Technical Advisory Services) and Mike Hutjens (U of IL), and Animal Science graduate student Bill Weich. In addition, Denny Landwehr (Watkins, MN) and Minnie Ward (St. Charles, MN) participated in a producer panel discussion on practical calf feeding experience with automated calf feeders chaired by U of M Extension Educator Jim Paulson.

The Non-ruminant session included presentations by Drs. Dean Boyd (The Hanor Co), Wayne Cast (VAST), Brooke Humphrey (Cargill), Dan Jones (Pioneer Hi-Bred), Matt Koci (NCSU), Carl Parsons (U of IL), Jerry Shurson (U of M) and Bogdan Slominski (U of Manitoba). 

The Equine session was new this year. Drs. Harlan Anderson (Idle Acres), Emily Lamprecht (Cargill) and Brian Nielsen (MSU) gave presentations related to the nutrition of horses. Attendance at the Equine session was light but encouraging given that there were other conferences and shows occurring that attracted people interested in horses.

At the end of the conference, a drawing was held for two U of M sweatshirts. Congratulations to the winners: Dave Amundson (Stearns DHIA Laboratories, Sauk Centre, MN) and Joe Loughmiller (Akey, Fairmont, MN).

The 71st Minnesota Nutrition Conference would not have been possible without the support of our program sponsors: ADM Alliance Nutrition, Akey, Alltech, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Cerne Sales Company, Danisco Animal Nutrition, Diamond V Mills, Evonik Industries, Feed Products North, Form-A-Feed, Grober Nutrition, The Hanor Company, Hormel Agri-Nutrition-Feeds Division, Hubbard Feeds, ILC Resources, International Ingredient Corporation, JBS United, Kindstrom-Schmoll, Lallemand, Land O'Lakes Purina Feed, MIN-AD, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Nutra-Flo Protein & Biotech Products, Nutrition Physiology Corporation, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Prince Agri Products, Quali Tech, Quality Liquid Feeds, Ralco Nutrition, Sparboe Farms, Stearns DHIA Laboratories, Trouw Nutrition International, Value Added Science & Technologies (VAST), Vi-COR, Vita Plus Corporation, and Zinpro Corporation. Many thanks to the sponsors as well as the speakers, the planning committee and the conference attendees for a successful event!

Proceedings of the 71st Minnesota Nutrition Conference are available for purchase ($35 if shipped domestically; $45 if shipped internationally). An order form is on-line at http://www.ansci.umn.edu/mn_nutrition_conf/order.html.

Please plan on joining us for the 72nd Minnesota Nutrition Conference on September 20 and 21, 2011.
  

COB Gets New Name

Classroom Office Building (COB) on the U of M St. Paul Campus has been renamed "Ruttan Hall" in recognition of "the seminal contributions of the late Regents Professor Vernon Ruttan in addressing agricultural and economic development issues". A dedication ceremony will be held at Plaza Ruttan Hall (119 Ruttan) at 4:15 pm on October 18, 2010.

The dedication of Ruttan Hall will begin with an introduction by Dr. Brian Buhr, Head of the Department of Applied Economics, followed by "The Legacy and Promise of Dr. Ruttan for CFANS" by Dr. Allen Levine, Dean of CFANS, and "The Legacy and Promise of Dr. Ruttan for the University of Minnesota" by Vice President Robert Jones. Dr. Prabhu Pingali, Deputy Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Ag Development Program, will then present "The Legacy and Promise of Dr. Vernon R. Ruttan".

The building dedication is a part of a mini-symposium and award ceremony recognizing the accomplishments of Dr. Ruben Echeverría who will receive the U of M Distinquished Leadership Award for Internationals. Dr. Echeverria is an alumnus of Applied Economics and was a doctoral student advised by Dr. Ruttan. He currently is the Director General of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture in Colombia, South America.

The mini-symposium, "Inducing Development Through Scholarship - Sustainably Feeding the World for Future Generations" will begin at 1:30 pm in 105 Cargill Bldg. on the U of M St. Paul Campus. This event marks the beginning of the Department of Applied Economics' centennial year.

Please RSVP for this event on-line at https://cfans.wufoo.com/forms/m7s8z1/.
  

Make Your Pledge During Community Fund Drive

The U of M Community Fund Drive, which runs the entire month of October, is an annual effort to raise awareness and money for non-profit organizations that support social services, education, health, and other important community needs. In these tough economic times, non-profits need our help more than ever.

Please consider making a donation during the month of October. Every gift, regardless of size, is greatly appreciated and makes an impact in someone’s life. You can make your pledge on-line at http://www1.umn.edu/cfd/ (a list of charitable federations can be found here too.) Pledging on-line is easy, safe, and reduces administrative costs.

Please contact Karen Kotval (kotva001@umn.edu), lead volunteer for CFANS, if you have questions or need additional information.

 

Vote on November 2

Exercise your voting privilege on November 2nd in the 2010 Minnesota State General Election. Information about pre-registration, absentee voting, where to vote, and more can be found on-line at the Office of the Secretary of State: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/.
  

Graduate Student Profile

Gail Carpenter

Gail Carpenter is a first year Animal Science master's student who is pursuing her degree in ruminant nutrition and is advised by Dr. Marshall Stern. She is currently the teaching assistant for AnSc 2401 (Introduction to Animal Nutrition).

Originally from Flint, MI, Gail escaped to the small town of Dansville, MI, in elementary school. Her involvement in the dairy industry began through her local 4-H club and the Michigan 4-H Dairy Program. She participated on the 4-H dairy judging teams at Louisville, KY, Harrisburg, PA, and Madison, WI. 

Gail completed her B.S. in Animal Science in May 2010 at Michigan State University. As an undergrad, she was a member of the MSU Dairy Club. Gail competed on the MSU Dairy Judging Team in 2008, and returned to travel with the teams in 2009 as a chaperon and coaching assistant. She was also on the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge team for MSU in 2010.

Gail enjoys Spartan football and basketball, and being outdoors.
 

Congratulations!

Dennis Johnson, Professor and Dairy Scientist at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WC ROC), and member of the U of M Dairy Extension Team, is retiring after 40+ years with the U of M. An open house retirement party is being held in Dr. Johnson's honor on October 20 (3:00-6:00 pm) at AgCountry Auditorium, WC ROC, Morris, MN.

Chuck Sartell ('68 Animal Science-Meats; '72 Food Science) received the 2010 Achievement Award from the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP). He received the award this summer at the 71st American Convention of Meat Processors and Suppliers' Expo. Chuck is the former owner of Nassau Foods Inc., Minnetonka, MN.

Greg Schwarz ('88 Animal Science; Ag Economics) was elected president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association for 2010-2011. Greg served on the MCGA board for 3 years. He is also president of Scott-LeSueur County Corn and Soybean Growers Association.

Albert Sims, Associate Professor-Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, was appointed Director of Operations for the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NW ROC). He has been with the NW ROC since 1995. Dr. Sims is replacing Dr. Larry Smith who served as Head of the NW ROC for 27 years.
  

Recent Grants

Scott Fahrenkrug (PI), Department of Animal Science.
Sponsor: USDA; Title: Livestock Genome Annotation
Amount: $89,637

Bradley Heins (PI), West Central ROC
Sponsor: Land Stewardship Project; Title: Chippewa 10% Project
Amount: $32,482

Gerald Shurson (PI), Department of Animal Science
Sponsor: USDA; Title: NPB – Evaluation of Lipid Source and Oxidation Level...
Amount: $41,900

Gerald Shurson (PI), Department of Animal Science
Sponsor: Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council; Title: Studies to Improve the Assessment of DDG...
Amount: Total to date: $30,266
  

Calendar of Events

- October 2010 -

1 - Healthy Foods Summit 2010 (8:30 am-3:00 pm), Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN.

1 - Women's Center 50th Anniversary Gala (3:00-5:00 pm), McNamara Memorial Hall, U of M Minneapolis Campus. Phone: 612-625-9837.

1 - Homecoming Parade (7:00 pm), Pleasant Street and University Avenue.

2 - Homecoming Game: Minnesota Gophers vs. Northwestern Wildcats (11:00 am), TCF Bank Stadium.

2 - Equine Fall Conference (8:00 am), Nutrena Conference Hall, Leatherdale Equine Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Veterinary Continuing Education at vetmedce@umn.edu or 800-380-8636.

2 - 2010 Fall Horse Owners Education Program (9:00 am) Leatherdale Equine Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. Contact: Krishona Martinson, 612-625-6776. On-line registration.

6 - SowBridge: Managing Feed Drops in Gestation. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

6 - Poultry Testing Agent Training, location to be determined. RSVP to: Minnesota Poultry Testing Office, 320-231-5170.

7 - PorkBridge: Preparing Your Ventilation and Heating Systems for Winter's Challenges. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

13 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification (PQA+ at 10:00 am; TQA at 1:30 pm), Minnesota Pork Office, Mankato, MN.

18 - MCAE Annual Scholarship and Internship Fair (10:00 am-2:00 pm), Mississippi Room, Coffman Memorial Union, Mpls Campus. Contact: Ah Van-Lo.

18 - Mini-symposium "Inducing Development Through Scholarship - Sustainably Feeding the World for Future Generations" and U of M Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals to Dr. Ruben Echeverría (1:30 pm), 105 Cargill Bldg, St. Paul Campus. Dedication of Classroom Office Building as Ruttan Hall (4:15 pm), Plaza Ruttan Hall (119 Ruttan). See Program.

19 - On-line PQA+ Advisor Recertification Training.

27 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification (PQA+ at 10:00 am; TQA at 1:30 pm), Wells Fargo Bank Bldg., Fergus Falls, MN.

21-24 - Minnesota Beef Expo, State Fairgrounds, St. Paul, MN.

22 - Government Job and Internship Fair (10:00 am-3:00 pm), Great Hall, Coffman Memorial Union, Mpls Campus.

- November 2010 -

3 - SowBridge: Heat Detection Methods. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

6 - 2010 Fall Horse Owners Education Program (1:00 pm), Apollo High School, St. Cloud, MN. Contact: Krishona Martinson, 612-625-6776.

10 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification (PQA+ at 10:00 am; TQA at 1:30 pm), McLeod County Fairgrounds, Hutchinson, MN.

16-18 - Minnesota Forage Research Symposium, Best Western Kelly Inn, St. Cloud, MN. Contact: Midwest Forage Association, 651-484-3888.

17 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification (PQA+ at 10:00 am; TQA at 1:30 pm), Nobles County Government Center, Worthington, MN.

25 - U of M (Twin Cities) is closed for Thanksgiving Holiday.

26 - U of M (Twin Cities) is closed for a Floating Holiday.

30-Dec 1 - Midwest Dairy Expo, St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud, MN. Contact: Minnesota Milk Producers Association, 763-355-9697 or 1-877-577-0741 (toll free).

- December 2010 -

1 - SowBridge: Winter PRRS Protection. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

6 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days (5:30 pm), West Central ROC, Morris, MN. Contact: Grant Crawford, 320-234-0441.

7 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days (5:30 pm), Blue Mound Banquet Center, Luverne, MN. Contact: Grant Crawford, 320-234-0441.

8 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days (9:30 am), Royal Loon, Slayton, MN. Contact: Grant Crawford, 320-234-0441.

8 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification (PQA+ at 10:00 am; TQA at 1:30 pm), Minnesota Pork Office, Mankato, MN.

9 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days (9:30 am), Southwest ROC, Lamberton, MN. Contact: Grant Crawford, 320-234-0441.

9 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days (5:30 pm), La Quinta Inn, Rochester, MN. Contact: Grant Crawford, 320-234-0441.

9 - PorkBridge: Going Hot-Shot Free: Tips to Improve Hog Handling. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

22 - PQA+ and TQA Training/Certification (PQA+ at 10:00 am; TQA at 1:30 pm), Country Inn & Suites, Albert Lea, MN.

22 - End of Fall Semester.

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

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

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

- January 2011 -

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

18 - Beginning of Spring Semester.

- February 2011 -

3 - PorkBridge: Euthanasia Techniques, Tools and Protocols. Contact: Mark Whitney, 507-389-5541.

- March 2011 -

14-18 - Spring Break.

18 - U of M (Twin Cities) is closed for a Floating Holiday.