UW-Madison Dairy Science Department to hold Spring Visit Day April 11
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Dairy Science invites prospective students and their parents to visit campus on Friday, April 11, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., to explore what the program has to offer. High school juniors who are looking to get a head start on their college search and transfer students are encouraged to attend. Those attending will get a firsthand look at one of the world’s leading dairy science departments as they tour the UW-Madison campus and Dairy Cattle Center, meet faculty, participate in hands-on workshops and learn about the wide variety of learning opportunities available to dairy science majors. Current students and alumni will be on hand to answer questions and share their experiences. The UW-Madison undergrad dairy science program emphasizes a combination of cutting-edge, science-based knowledge and hands-on experience. Award-winning research and extension faculty teach more than 20 undergraduate courses covering nutrition, reproduction, mammary physiology, genetics and other aspects of dairy management. On-campus, state-of-the art dairy facilities enhance the learning experience. “For a high school student, spring of their junior year is really when I would recommend they start taking campus visits,” says Kent Weigel, professor and chair of the dairy science department. “Making a college visit and touring the campus can be pivotal in a student’s decision to attend college and what school’s they end up applying to.” “Students who visit are often amazed by the small-school feel of our ag campus and the extra benefits they get studying at a Big Ten university,” states Weigel. “That, and our proximity to the heart of the dairy industry, is what makes UW-Madison such a special place for our students to study and live.” For UW-Madison admission eligibility, it is recommended that high school students rank in the top 25 percent of their high school class. Transfer students must have completed at least 24 semester hours of college–level work. Most transfer students have a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. To attend the Dairy Science Visit Day, please register on-line by April 8 at dysci.wisc.edu/ visitday/. For more information, contact Cathy Rook at (608) 263-3308 or rook@wisc.edu; or Ted Halbach at (608) 263-3305 or tjhalbach@wisc.edu.
A Crash Course in Dairy Farm Management
“Learning about farm management strategies in class is one thing,” says University of Wisconsin-Madison junior Ryan Pralle. “But the real world is a different story. There are factors that we might not consider in class when discussing what research tells us is the best way to farm. Things like the existing infrastructure of the farm, or the farmer’s financial standing, can be limiting factors.” Pralle had a chance to address some of those real-world issues when he joined 57 other dairy science students from 13 Midwestern schools at the 10th annual Midwest Dairy Challenge in Appleton, Wis. Pralle, from Humbird, was one of the six UW-Madison competitors. Dairy Challenge was developed to expose students to opportunities the dairy industry. Working in four- or five-person teams, each with members from multiple universities, participants assessed all aspects of a working dairy farm and presented recommendations for improvement to a panel of judges and participating farm families. Two Wisconsin farms, Sugar Creek Dairy LLC of New London and Country Aire Dairy of Greenleaf, hosted this year’s contest. Max Luchterhand, a junior from Spencer, Wis., says that he says he was “stunned” to learn that his took first place among the six that assessed Country Aire Dairy. The experience will always stick with him, and will be invaluable in helping him run his own farm after college, he adds.The three-day competition offers students a crash course in practical dairy farm management—with opportunities to attend seminars on finance, nutrition and reproduction, play the roles of consultants, interview farm owners and inspect dairies - where they can apply their classroom learning out in the field. As Pralle, whose team also took first in its group, puts it: ”It is a rewarding feeling to know that what I learn in college is making me a well-educated dairy professional who knows his way around the barn.” Others UW-Madison students at the Midwest Dairy Challenge included Elizabeth Binversie, Joseph Mulcahy, Olivia Peter and Carrie Warmka. Dairy science professor Dave Combs and dairy management instrucLeft to right: coach Dr. Dave Combs, Carrie Warmka, tor Ted Halbach served as Olivia Peter, Ryan Pralle, Max Luchterhand, Joseph Mulcahy, coaches. Elizabeth Binversie, coach Ted Halbach
The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge was established to facilitate education, communication and an exchange of ideas among students, agribusiness, dairy producers and universities that enhances the development of the dairy industry and its leaders. In its 13-year history, the program has helped train more than 4,000 students through one national and four regional annual contests. NAIDC is supported through generous donations by 130 agribusinesses and dairy producers and coordinated by a volunteer board of directors.
The University of
WISCONSIN MADISON Dairy Science
STUDENT PROFILE Name: Genevieve Dryak Hometown: Taylor, WI High School: Blair-Taylor High School Class Size: 50 Major: Dairy & Poultry Science Why did you decide to attend UWMadison? It had always been my top choice for colleges, as it has a world renowned program in agriculture, particularly in Dairy Science. I am proud to be a Badger! What has been your most memorable college experience? My most memorable college experience was the summer Poultry Consortium, Center of Excellence Internship Program. The classes were taught in a hands-on environment, giving real world experiences. A real benefit of the curriculum at UW is the flexibility to tailor your coursework though double majors to your interests, in my case dairy and poultry science. What has been your favorite course? My favorite course has been Management and Human Resources 305. It taught about issues applicable in any business. The real life experiences have already helped me during my internship. What are your future career goals? My plan upon graduation is to be working in the agriculture industry on the production side. Inquiry Lives Here UW-Madison Dept. of Dairy Science 1675 Observatory Drive Madison, WI 53706 Ph. 608-263-3308 Fax 608-263-9412 www.wisc.edu/dysci/ Contact: Ted Halbach
wisconsin HOLSTEIN news/April 2014-33