AnSci Connection
The newsletter of the Department of Animal Science

October 2011

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

Notes from the Department Head

 I wish to thank Jim Linn for his many years of service to the Department of Animal Science and to the University of Minnesota. Jim has been a faculty member in the Department for over the past 32 years and has served as an Extension Dairy Specialist in Nutrition with active programs in Dairy Extension, Research and Teaching. In addition, Jim has served as Department Head for the past 4 years and provided excellent and steady leadership during his tenure. As Jim graduates to Professor and Head Emeritus, he leaves us with an outstanding Department, strongly dedicated to our mission with exceptional faculty that excel in teaching, research and extension, a dedicated and talented staff, a strong graduate program, and a steadily expanding enrollment of quality undergraduate students in our major. Jim, all of us in the Department wish to thank you for all of your contributions and dedication. We wish you all good things as you graduate to pursue your next great adventure.

Just as Jim is taking on new challenges as he explores new horizons, so I am being called to new challenges. For those who may not know me, my name is Mike White and I have recently become the new Department Head of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota. I have long and strong ties to the Department, the College and the University. I grew up in and around the University. My father was a Professor and is now a Professor Emeritus from the Department of Horticulture in CFANS. My wife, two children and I have obtained or are obtaining degrees from this great University. For us, the University of Minnesota is definitely a “family affair”.  

I obtained my Ph.D. in Muscle Biology/Animal Growth and Development from the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota, and I have been a Professor of Animal Science for nearly 26 years spending the first six of those years at The Ohio State University and the most recent 20 years here at the University of Minnesota. I have been active in teaching and research and am a Morse-Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor. My teaching has included courses on the physiology of animal growth and development, on environment, food systems and citizenship, and a Learning Abroad course taught in Italy studying sustainable food systems concepts. I am involved as a mentor for new teaching faculty in the Early Career Faculty Development Program of the University Center for Teaching and Learning and am a member of the ADT (Academy of Distinguished Teachers). My research is a collaboration with the muscle biology group investigating the cellular and molecular regulation of muscle growth and development, focusing on the role of anabolic steroids, the insulin-like growth factors and myostatin in these processes. 

I have a deep appreciation of our traditions and believe we have an important and powerful role to play in the future of the College, University, and society. I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and to partnering with our many stakeholders to meet opportunities and challenges alike with enthusiasm and creativity.
   

Faculty Highlights

Hugh Chester-Jones

Dr. Hugh Chester-Jones hails from the United Kingdom. His passion for agriculture was gained from numerous visits to family farms in North Wales and later with practical experiences on UK, Canadian and U.S. dairy farms.  After college in the UK, Hugh gained a further five years experience in the practical and commercial agricultural industry before moving to the United States in 1975. He completed his education in the U.S. at the University of Massachusetts and at Virginia Tech. During his graduate program, Hugh was on staff as an agricultural supervisor in the animal science department where he had responsibilities for managing an animal nutrition research farm. This set the stage for Hugh in 1985 to join the faculty of the Southern Research and Outreach Center (SROC) as the first animal scientist at Outreach Centers to have a tenure track in the Department of Animal Science.

Hugh’s research interests have included dairy and beef production systems focusing on management, nutrition, health and growth of dairy calves from birth, raised for heifer replacements or dairy-beef.  Hugh currently is the supervisor of the SROC commercial calf and heifer raising research and extension facility, a unique partnership with three commercial dairies, University of Minnesota and allied industry colleagues.  Research this past 8 years has focused on nutrition and management strategies for raising dairy heifers from 2 to 4 days to 6 months of age in collaboration with colleagues in industry, animal science and veterinary medicine.

Hugh is the Minnesota Representative for the North Central Regional Dairy Management Project NC-1042 involving 22 states, which has a strong core group in dairy heifer replacements research and outreach. Hugh also contributes to the U of M dairy and beef extension teams. Much of his national efforts over the past 13 years have been helping with educational programs for the National Dairy Calf and Heifer Association. Hugh does not have a teaching appointment but enjoys opportunities to interact with both undergraduate and graduate students in the classroom or field trips to SROC.

Hugh is active in professional societies and is a member of the FASS Scientific Policy Committee. Hugh is currently involved locally in the Waseca Exchange Club, Chamber of Commerce Ag Business Committee and Waseca FFA Alumni Chapter. Hugh and his wife Ann have two daughters, Angharad (31) and Rhonwen (27; married). Hugh enjoys biking, the local fitness center, and watching all sports.
  

News and Announcements

Anderson is Top Junior Exhibitor at World Dairy Expo
Source: Hoard's Dairyman

Animal Science undergraduate Karen Anderson won the 2011 Merle Howard Award for being top junior exhibitor at the World Dairy Expo. She is the 8th winner of this award that recognizes youth who demonstrate outstanding skills in fitting and showmanship, and have a passion for the dairy industry. Karen is the daughter of David and Donna Anderson of Lester Prairie, MN.

Karen is an outstanding judge, exhibitor and leader, and she has an incredible judging record with three high individual honors at national dairy judging contests. In 2006, she placed first overall individual at the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, PA. Three years later, she repeated that same accomplishment by winning high individual at the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo. And last fall, Karen was high individual at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY, where she also won oral reasons. In addition, Karen served as president of her breed’s national junior association two years ago.

At World Dairy Expo, Karen showed seven cows and heifers that placed in the top four in her junior breed show during the last four years. Of that group, all but one was homebred individuals. In 2009, she exhibited the Reserve All American Junior 3-year-old and captured Junior All American honors when named Reserve Grand Champion of the National Guernsey Junior Show at World Dairy Expo.

This week, her homebred fall yearling, Up The Creek Super Lux Kazoom-ET, was named Reserve Junior Champion of the Junior Show. Karen fits and prepares her own animals for the show each year. For these and many other accomplishments, Karen was named the Outstanding National Guernsey Youth last year.

The award is given in memory of Merle Howard who was the 1954 Klussendorf winner and a long-time World Dairy Expo volunteer. He worked at Moosehart Farms as a herd manager, served as a Holstein classifier, and later was involved in the sales and export business. He was on the first board of directors of National Dairy Shrine and is only one of six people to have won its 4-E Award for outstanding service.
  

Turkey Research Featured in Solutions Magazine

The Fall 2011 issue Solutions magazine includes a feature article on turkey production research being conducted at the U of M Research and Outreach Center in Rosemount. "Talking Turkey" discusses Dr. Mohamed El Halawani's work on the affect of light on turkey reproductive cycles and how different parts of the light spectrum affect photostimulation and photorefractoriness, and Dr. Sally Noll's studies on using DDGS in turkey feed.

Read the article online at www.cfans.umn.edu/Solutions/Fall2011/Talking_Turkey/.
  

72nd MN Nutrition Conference a Success!

Noah Litherland, Department of Animal Science, and John Goihl, Agri-Nutrition Services, co-chaired this year’s Minnesota Nutrition Conference held September 20 and 21 in Owatonna, Minnesota. Total attendance for this year’s conference was 235 and included university faculty, graduate students, livestock nutritionists, veterinarians and feed industry representatives from 21 states and Canada. The financial support of forty-six sponsors greatly contributed to the success of the conference. 

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association sponsored the pre-conference Symposium, "Corn—2011 and Beyond", with speakers Jeff Coulter (U of M), Grant Crawford (U of M Extension), Hans Jung (USDA-ARS), and Hans Stein (U of IL).

Day one of the conference included University of Minnesota Livestock Research Updates presented by Animal Science faculty Brad Heins, Lee Johnston, Yuzhi Li, Noah Litherland and Krishona Martinson, and graduate students Beth Allen, Alamanda Calvert, Amy Hazel, Kaitlyn McClelland and Bill Weich.

Following the Research Updates, Alltech sponsored and hosted a reception. It was a big hit with attendees and it gave them the opportunity to network and socialize.

On day two, participants had the choice of attending any of the Ruminant, Non-ruminant or Equine session presentations.

Ruminant Session speakers included David Beede (Michigan State University), Ryan Fink (U of M) Jeff Firkins (The Ohio State University), Patrick Hoffman (University of Wisconsin-Marshfield), Al Kertz (Milk Specialties Global), Clint Krehbiel (Oklahoma State University), Tamilee Nennich (Purdue University), and Justin Sexten (University of Missouri).

The Non-ruminant Session presentations were given by Todd Applegate (Purdue University), Craig Coon and Billy Hargis (University of Arkansas), Sung Woo Kim (North Carolina State University), Soenke Moehn (University of Alberta), Sally Noll and Jerry Shurson (U of M), and Pedro Urriola (Cargill Animal Nutrition).

Mary Beth Hall (USDA-ARS) and Richard Ten Eyck (Oregon Department of Agriculture) each gave a presentation during the Equine Session. Roy Johnson (Nutrena), Judy Reynolds (ADM Alliance Nutrition) and J. Kathleen Young (Purine Mills) were members of a lively panel discussion on "Industry Implication for Carbohydrate Inclusion on Feed Tags".

Thank you to the sponsors, speakers and attendees of this year's Minnesota Nutrition Conference. Please plan on joining us for the 73rd Minnesota Nutrition Conference on September 18-19, 2012.
    

Johnston on Program at Two Conferences in September

Dr. Lee Johnston, WROC-Morris, presented a talk entitled "Fat Hardness in Swine Products: Dietary Challenges and Opportunities" at the Western Canadian Nutrition Conference in Edmonton, Alberta on September 15. The Western Canadian conference is very similar to our Minnesota Nutrition Conference in that the audience is a mix of academics and industry nutritionists with interests in multiple species.

On September 29, Lee addressed "New Technologies and Approaches to Feedstuff Evaluation" at the National Pork Board's Swine Educator Conference in Sioux Falls, SD. This conference is targeted at professionals who work with pork producers. The majority of attendees are state and area/regional specialists with the Extension systems in their respective states. Several farm business management instructors from community colleges were also in attendance. 
 

Litherland to Speak at 43rd MDGA Conference

Dr. Noah Litherland will discuss feed additives and byproducts to improve doe health and performance at the Minnesota Dairy Goat Association's (MDGA) 43rd Annual Goat Breeders Conference. The conference will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 in Ruttan Hall on the U of M St. Paul Campus.

Speakers on the program also include Dr. Ann Goplen (U of M Department of Veterinary Population Medicine), Drs. Cassandra Plummer, Paul Plummer and Leo Timms (Iowa State University), MDGA members Tracy and Marlene Hunt (Foley, MN), Mary Larson (Springfield, MN) and Bev Nohr (Glencoe, MN), and soap maker Shanna Wegman (Dover, MN).

The entire agenda, schedule of events and registration information are available on the MDGA website. Registration is requested by November 5th.
 

UA President Hails from Minnesota

Eugene G. Sander was appointed president of the University of Arizona (UA) and will serve on an interim basis until a permanent replacement for Robert N. Shelton is named. Sander is vice provost and dean of the UA's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He was scheduled to retire on July 1 but has postponed retirement to fill the UA's top post.

Sander grew up in Dodge Center, MN where his father was an agricultural extension agent and his mother was a school teacher. He received his B.S. in Animal Science at the U of M and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University. He completed post-doctoral study at Brandeis University.

Prior to his move to Arizona, Sander served as deputy chancellor for biotechnology development, director of the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, and head of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Texas A&M University. He also served as chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at West Virginia University Medical Center and associate chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the College of Medicine, University of Florida. As an officer in the U.S. Air Force, he was the assistant chief of the biospecialties section at the Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory.
  

Join CFANS for Homecoming 2011: All That Glitters is Gold!

CFANS is hosting several activities to connect alumni, students, staff, faculty, friends and family to celebrate new Gopher Homecoming traditions. Complete details and registration is available online at z.umn.edu/cfanshomecoming. Please RSVP by Monday October 17.

CFANS Homecoming events include:

OCTOBER 16

• Homecoming Thank U Event: Join the CFANS team for a fun opportunity to give back in the spirit of Gopher pride! Participants will perform various service projects designed to address specific community needs. More information and registration.

OCTOBER 21

• CFANS Fall Fest (1:30-4:00 p.m.): Explore the St. Paul Campus on a tractor pulled wagon and choose among tours of the dairy barn, food science pilot plant, insect museum, and plant growth facility. CFANS Fall Fest begins with an informal social at 1:30 p.m. Tours and fun family-friendly activities get started at 2:00. Everyone is welcome. Pre-registration (in Coffey Hall) is appreciated for planning purposes. More about Fall Fest.
   
• Alumni & Friends Pre-Parade Party (5:00-7:00 p.m.): Enjoy food, fun and pre-parade Gopher spirit at the Bell Museum of Natural History. Network and socialize before the homecoming parade. Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley and photographer Don Brenneman will be on hand to talk about their collaborative book project Voyageur Skies and the special coordinating exhibit will be open for viewing. The cost is $5 at the door (includes food). Be sure to RSVP - it will help in planning for food quantities.
   
• U of M Homecoming Parade (7:00-9:00 p.m.): Show your college spirit by walking with the CFANS float down University Avenue. Or come as a spectator and celebrate this new U of M Homecoming tradition. Participants who walk with the CFANS float will receive a FREE 2011 CFANS Homecoming T-shirt. Sign up here.

OCTOBER 22

• CFANS Tailgate (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.): Come to the Ski-U-Mah parking lot at TCF Bank Stadium to show your spirit at the CFANS Tailgate event before the Minnesota Gophers face off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Catch up with friends, alumni and fellow Gopher fans - all are welcome! Please RSVP to receive email with updates about locations, etc.
   
• CFANS Homecoming Photo Contest: Calling all Gopher fans in CFANS! Show your Gopher pride during Homecoming by uploading a photo of yourself or a group showing Gopher pride. Photos must be uploaded to the CFANS Alumni & Friends Facebook page or emailed to cfansaro@gmail.com. All photos submitted will be showcased on Facebook and part of an online photo album that will be shared via CFANS Alumni & Friends eNews. The top photos will receive a $25 VISA gift card, be announced on Facebook, and published in the next edition of CFANS Alumni & Friends eNews. The contest runs until Homecoming game day (October 22). For more information and contest rules, please go to z.umn.edu/cfansphotocontest.
   
• CFANS Gopher Grams: In recognition of Homecoming, alumni and friends are invited to send a "CFANS Gopher Gram" to their favorite professor or advisor. Gopher Grams will be collected through October 16, then delivered to faculty and staff during Homecoming week.

For the complete listing of University-wide Homecoming week events, visit Homecoming 2011: All That Glitters is Gold.

GO GOPHERS!
   

Community Fund Drive - Give Today!

The University of Minnesota is offering you an opportunity to be a philanthropist! How? By making a contribution to the 2011 Community Fund Drive campaign! Watch your mailbox for a booklet the provides information on making a pledge. The agencies represented by the seven federations cover a wide variety of needs in our community, including food shelves and shelters, environmental issues, funding for the arts, and much more!

Please consider participating! When you decide to pledge to one of the 400 agencies sponsored by the Community Fund, or to another non-profit organization, you are making our community stronger!

Pledging is easy! Making your pledge online is simple, safe and reduces administrative costs. Click here to make a pledge: www.umn.edu/cfd.

Need more info? If you have questions or need more information, please contact the Community Fund Drive volunteer in your department or email Karen Kotval, lead volunteer for CFANS.
   

Upcoming Equine Events

The next Quarterly Lunch and Learn Webinar will be held at 6:00 p.m. (central time) on October 18, 2011. Dr. Nick Frank of Tufts University will present Equine Metabolic Syndrome in Ponies. There is no charge for this webinar but you must register online.

Fall Regional Horse Owner Program will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the University Teaching and Outreach Center Horse Facility on the U of M Crookston Campus. The cost is $25. Register online.

For more information, please contact Dr. Krishona Martinson at 612-625-6776 or krishona@umn.edu.
  

MN Turkey Goes to Washington?
Source: Minnesota Turkey Growers Association

Current National Turkey Federation Chairman Rick Huisinga of Willmar Poultry Company is anticipating that an invitation to present the National Thanksgiving Turkey to President Obama at the White House will be forthcoming later this month. In the meantime, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA) has been working closely with Huisinga and his staff at Willmar Poultry to coordinate several exciting pieces to this entire project, including:

• Web pages devoted to the National Thanksgiving Turkey so that folks can meet the flock and learn more about the history of the White House event, parents can find nutrition and recipe information, and kids can download some fun turkey activities. Check it out at www.minnesotaturkey.com/presidentialturkey.
   
• Working closely with four FFA members from Willmar High School who are helping to care for the turkeys every day and will acclimate them to be more comfortable with human interaction.
   
• 'Minnesota Turkey Goes to Washington Blog' for the students to record their experiences each week. Photos, videos and a guest blog post will be included.
   
• School visits for the turkeys are being scheduled to Twin Cities area elementary schools where information on turkey farming will be presented. There will be plenty of face time with live turkeys for the students,

The entire project will culminate with a special send-off for the Presidential turkeys in Willmar and in St. Paul just prior to Thanksgiving. MTGA will post updates on all of the activities, and you can keep an eye on things via the blog on the website as well as Facebook and Twitter!
  

Midwest Dairy Expo: The Road to Success

The road to success leads you to St. Cloud, MN this winter to connect with members of the dairy industry at the Midwest Dairy Expo. The Expo offers education, networking, and a trade show with over 100 sponsors/exhibitors. This year's Expo will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 29 and 30, 2011 at the St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center.

The keynote address on Tuesday morning is titled "Our Biggest Problem" with speaker Jay Lehr of Heartland Institute. Minnesota's Dairy Producer of the Year will also be announced. Wednesday's keynote includes a "Roast" of Michael Hutjens (U of IL) followed by Mike's presentation, "The Changing Dairy Industry: Looking Back to Look Ahead".

The Expo includes the MMPA Annual Business Meeting, educational breakout sessions, a Scholarship Auction, a Butter and Cheese package raffle, and more. Take a look at the agenda for additional information including breakout session topics and speakers.

On the day prior to the Expo, on November 28, an Executives Workshop (1:00-5:00 p.m.) and Sponsor Reception (6:00-8:00 p.m.) will be open to pre-registered participants only. The workshop "Ready or Not, Get Ready for OSHA" will be presented by Mike Knisely of OSH, Inc. Topics of relevance to Minnesota dairy operations include Hazard Communication Standards; MSDS Review; Transportation; Emergency Preparedness; Spill Control and Evacuation Procedures; Lockout/Tagout; Confined Space Entry; Blood borne Pathogens; Material Handling and Powered Industrial Trucks; Ladder Safety; Fall Protection; HACCP Training.

Register online at www.mnmilk.org/midwestdairyexpo.

Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture Seeks Nominations

The Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture is requesting nominations for the 2012 awards. The prize recognizes outstanding contributions to agriculture and the alleviation of world hunger.

The U of M’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences administers the awards. Recipients are chosen in three categories: knowledge (teaching, research and outreach), production agriculture, and agribusiness. Each laureate receives a $50,000 award as well as a sculpture and lapel pin designed specifically for the Siehl Prize by Minnesota artist Thomas Rose.

The Siehl Prize was created in the early 1990s by a generous gift from New Ulm-area livestock breeder and businessman Eldon Siehl, a dedicated philanthropist who had a lifelong interest in agricultural systems. Siehl was concerned that people were losing touch with their agrarian roots and wanted his gift to ensure that achievements in agriculture would be recognized and celebrated.

Nominee(s) must reside or have resided in Minnesota for at least five years or hold a degree from the U of M. Individuals and teams of people are eligible. Self-nominations and nominations by relatives are not permitted.

Learn more about the Siehl Prize and review nomination instructions online. The deadline for nominations is January 15, 2012 with award winners expected to be announced during National Ag Week, in late March 2012.
  

MFA Symposium and Annual Meeting Set for January 24-25
Source: Midwest Forage Association

The Midwest Forage Association (MFA), Wisconsin Custom Operators, and Professional Nutrient Applicators are pleased to announce their 2012 Symposium and Annual Meeting. Scheduled for January 24-25 at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI, this event promises to offer the latest news and information for forage producers, nutrient applicators and custom operators alike. With more than 30 educational sessions planned in a concurrent session format, attendees will have a wide array of topics from which to choose.

MFA’s topics include

• Justifying New Equipment Purchases
• NIR Technology
• What’s New in Corn Silage Feeding
• Forage Storage Options
• Least Cost Forage Based Rations for Dairy Heifers
• Dry Cow Dairy Nutrition
• MFRP Research Updates
• New Innovations in Forage Equipment
• Much, much, more… 

Whether you’re a forage producer, nutrient applicator or custom operator, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn more about your trade, network with industry experts, and socialize with fellow professionals. Make plans now to attend! 

For more information, please contact MFA at 651-484-3888.   
  

Save the Date for I-29 Dairy Conference

Mark your calendars for the 7th Annual I-29 Dairy Conference, February 8-9, 2012, at the Best Western Ramkota Inn and Conference Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Resilient Sustainability is the conference theme with world dairy issues as topics of discussion. Neil Baker, named 2010 Farmer of the Year by Farmer's Weekly, Mark Seeley, U of M Extension climatologist/meteorologist, and James Paulson, U of M Extension Educator are among the speakers on the program.

For more information, please contact JW Schroeder at North Dakota State University.
  

Condolences

Evelyn Lavonne (Ogren) Addis, wife of U of M Professor Emeritus Paul Addis, passed away at the age of 73 on October 11, 2011 at the Cumberland Memorial Hospital Extended Care Unit. Evie was born February 1, 1938 in Duluth, MN and grew up in Port Wing, WI. She was the daughter of Leonard and Amanda Ogren and graduated from South Shore High School in Port Wing. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, and also attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Evie taught at West Bend and Janesville High Schools and later at Fairview Junior High School in Roseville, MN. She served as Executive Secretary of the Minnesota Association of Meat Processors for four years.

In 1967, Evie married Paul Addis and they moved to Germany for six months, returning to St. Paul in November of 1967. Evie played both piano and trumpet and enjoyed attending concerts in the Twin Cities. In 1983, she began coaching girl's basketball in Roseville and helped coach the Roseville Girl's Traveling Team for three years. She was a member of St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, St. Paul; Roseville Lutheran; and First Lutheran in Cumberland, WI.

Evie enjoyed morning walks with her friends, golf, bowling, music, coaching, entertaining, cooking, and took great pleasure in visiting family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Paul; a brother, Willard (Iron River); and two children, Bradley (Blaine, MN) and Kristin (Bellevue, WA). She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Vernon, of Duluth, MN.

The funeral will be Monday, October 17 at First Lutheran Church in Port Wing, 1:00 PM visitation and 1:30 PM funeral service with burial to follow. A memorial service will be held at Roseville Lutheran Church, Roseville, MN on Wednesday, October 19, 1:00 PM visitation and 2 PM service.

In recognition of Evie's deep love and concern for children, in lieu of flowers, a donation is suggested in the name of Evelyn Addis for "Feed My Starving Children", 401 93rd Avenue NW, Coon Rapids, MN, 55433.
  

Graduate Student Profile

Dayane Lobao da Silva

Dayane Lobao da Silva is a first year Animal Sciences graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in ruminant nutrition and is advised by Dr. Noah Litherland. Her research focuses on nutrition during the dry period and improving transition cow health and productivity. She has been involved with research at the U of M since 2009 as a Visiting Scientist participating in trials involving transition and lactation cows and nursery calves.

Dayane is originally from Ceara, Brazil. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science at the Universidade Federal do Ceara in Brazil in 2008. Throughout her undergraduate program Dayane conducted research involving crossbreeding  and nutrition of small ruminants. Right before she moved to the U.S., Dayane had a 6-month internship on a commercial dairy in Brazil where she really found her passion for large animals.

In her spare time, Dayane enjoys watching movies and cooking with her husband, Airton (B.S in Computer Science), whom she married a year ago. Also, she enjoys reading news about agriculture in Brazil and in the USA.
  

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the following students who have completed their degree programs:

Daniela Blini
Masters
successfully defended April 20
advised by Doug Foster
Use of molecular markers for livestock selection and conservation biology

Jeff Jaderborg
Masters
successfully defended May 13
advised by Alfredo DiCostanzo
Influence of feed delivery methods and access time on intake and feed waste by beef cows

Jolene Kelzer
Doctorate
successfully defended May 13
advised by Alfredo DiCostanzo and Ryon Walker
Backgrounding methods for growing beef cattle and strategies for incorporating alternative feedstuffs into diets of finishing beef cattle

Alanna Kmicikewycz
Masters
successfully defended May 26
advised by Noah Litherland
Nutritional feeding and management strategies to optimize growth and health in dairy calves

Jackie Popowski
Masters
successfully defended June 3
advised by Ryan Cox
Effect of feeding high protein dried distillers grains in beef finishing diets on carcass characteristics, beef quality, and sensory attributes

Adam Husfeldt
Masters
successfully defended July 26
advised by Marcia Endres
Investigation of recycled manure solids as freestall bedding for dairy cows in the Midwest

Bob Leuer
Masters
successfully defended August 19
advised by Jeff Reneau
Benchmarking of Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association records and analysis of the transition period with an automatic milking system

Jenna Pomerenke
Masters
successfully defended August 24
advised by Jerry Shurson
Effects of diets containing DDGS with supplemental tallow on fat digestibility, growth performance, carcass and fat quality in growing-finishing pigs

Christina Phillips
Doctorate
successfully defended October 11
advised by Yuzhi Li and Jerry Shurson
The association of maternal fear on pre-weaning mortality of piglets in a group-farrowing system
  

Recent Grants

Gerald Shurson (PI), Department of Animal Science
Sponsor: Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
Title: Vitamin E and Selenium Status of Pigs Fed DDGS Diets and Relationship to Mulberry Heart Disease
Amount: $57,500.00 
   

Calendar of Events

- October 2011 -

4-8 - World Dairy Expo, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI. Tel: 608-224-6455; Email: wde@wdexpo.com.

15 - Advanced Horse Owner Program (9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), Leatherdale Equine Center, U of M St. Paul Campus. Online registration. Contact: Krishona Martinson, 612-625-6776.

16-22 - Homecoming 2011: "All That Glitters is Gold"

20-23 - 12th Annual Minnesota Beef Expo, State Fairgrounds, St. Paul, MN.

18 - Equine Quarterly Lunch and Learn Webinar: Equine Metabolic Syndrome in Ponies (no charge). Online registration. Contact: Krishona Martinson, 612-625-6776.

- November 2011 -

12 - 43rd Annual Goat Breeders Conference (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.), Ruttan Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus.

12 - Fall Regional Horse Owner Program, University Teaching and Outreach Center Horse Facility, U of M Crookston Campus. Online registration. Contact: Krishona Martinson, 612-625-6776.

24 - Thanksgiving Holiday (U of M Twin Cities is closed)

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

29-30 - Midwest Dairy Expo, St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center, St. Cloud, MN. Contact: Minnesota Milk, 877-577-0741.

- December 2011 -

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

5-8 - Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days, Southern Minnesota (check the Beef Industry Center website for further information as it becomes available).

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

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

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

- January 2012 -

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

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

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

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

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

- February 2012 -

8-9 - 7th Annual I-29 Dairy Conference, Best Western Ramkota Inn & Conference Center, Sioux Falls, SD. Contact: North Dakota State University, 605-688-4116.

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

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

- March 2012 -

14-15 - Midwest Poultry Federation Convention, St. Paul, MN. Contact: Lara Durben, 763-682-2171. 

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