Dr. Michael Westendorf Professor, Department of Animal Sciences Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences LAW
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r. Michael Westendorf has been employed as an Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers University since 1993. Providing leadership for statewide nutrient management and animal waste management programs, he carries out an applied research program in the areas of byproduct utilization as animal feed & nutrient management to reduce the effects of animal waste on the environment. He also develops educational materials including fact sheets, videos, computer programs, and on-line courses for distribution through Rutgers Cooperative Extension that serve the needs of the state’s livestock farmers. Dr. Westendorf’s work at Rutgers has been done in collaboration with Rutgers Cooperative Extension faculty and staff, as well as colleagues in the New Jersey State Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the New Jersey Farm Bureau. Although Rutgers undergraduate Animal Science majors come from primarily urban areas, there is a renewed interest in production agriculture among students. Dr. Westendorf spearheaded recent changes in the Animal Science curriculum and is heavily involved as an instructor for undergraduate Animal Science courses including Production Animal Management, Farm Productivity Analysis, and Dairy Cattle Artificial Insemination. These courses allow an effective learning experience for production students and promote the skills necessary for them to pursue a variety of related agriculture careers.
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E-Mail: michael.westendorf@rutgers.edu Phone: 848-932-9408
REFERENCES Komar, S., R. Miskewitz, M. Westendorf, and C. A. Williams. 2012. Effects of bedding type on compost quality of equine stall waste: implications for small horse farms. J. Anim. Sci. 90:1069-1075.