Fall President’s Letter

Happy fall, ADSA graduate students!  Congrats on making it through another summer of conference presentations into the hustle and bustle that occurs when the undergraduates return from their summer off.

It was so nice to have met many of you at the 2013 JAM.  If we weren’t able to get to know each other, please be sure to come and introduce yourself at the next meeting – I’d love to meet you!  I truly love being involved in the ADSA GSD and look forward to a great year working with each and every one of you.

Although the 2013 JAM seems to have just ended, your ADSA GSD Executive team is already hard at work planning the 2014 JAM and all the other activities that will take place throughout the year.  But we need your help!  We have some great committees that you should consider being a part of so that this year can be exactly what you want it to be!  Have some ideas you want to share right now?  Contact our executive team!

In the meantime, here’s what you can look for in this issue of the ADSA GSD newsletter:

1. Didn’t make it to some of the 2013 JAM events?  Check out our recap of the Career Insights Luncheon.
2. We had some great graduate student competitions at the JAM this year.  Have a look at our Student Profiles, spotlighting two of the winners.
3. Ever wonder what cows sleep on and how they’re made?  Our Industry Spotlight highlights this exciting job!

Lastly, be sure to like our Facebook page to be the first to see exciting posts and take a look at the myDairyCareer page to view job listings!  Have a great semester!

Sincerely,

Amanda Sterrett

2013-2014 ADSA GSD President

Career Insights Luncheon

Here’s what was new about the Career Insights Luncheon this year at JAM.  The Career Development Committee did a great job!

We added a keynote speaker!

•  Dr. Robin Rastani presented her “5 Keys to Success”

We were thrilled by the positive feedback from the students who attended! Students were extremely impressed with the advice provided by Dr. Robin Rastani’s in her brief, but engaging keynote talk; many stated that there was at least one thing she mentioned that they’d never thought of when it comes to developing their professional career. The keynote was such a hit that it will definitely become a staple of future year’s events!

Format change:

• Students were encouraged to change tables every 10 minutes – this was great for ensuring they met as many experts as possible

As with the keynote, this addition to the format of the luncheon was very well received by both students and the experts.

One student said, “By the time I got there, grabbed my lunch and chatted with the expert at my chosen table, a lot of time had gone by. I was worried we wouldn’t have much time to meet the other experts. But then you got up and yelled at us like 4 times to change tables. It was super useful – plus it was kind of funny!” 

Attendance:

• 71 students
• 12 Industry, academic and government reps:

Dr. Robin R. Rastani (Novus International, Inc.)

Dr. Brandon Nelson (Daisy Brand)

Joshua Goldman (Kraft Foods)

Dr. Ric Grummer (Balchem Corp)

Dr. Steven Smith (USDA — National Institute of Food and Agriculture)

Dr. Erin E. Connor (USDA — Agricultural Research Service)

Dr. Michael Steele (Nutreco Canada Agresearch)

Rory McCarthy (Grande Cheese Company)

Dr. Gerald Poppy (Diamond V Mills)

Dr. Kent Weigel (University of Wisconsin

Industry Spotlight

Name: Amy Throndsen

Place of birth: Eau Claire, WI

What college did you attend? Edgewood College (Madison, WI), Class of ‘03

What was your major? English and (minor) business

What company do you work for currently? Advanced Comfort Technology, Inc.

What is your position? Sales director for DCC Waterbeds

What did you do career wise before joining your current company?

At one point, I thought I wanted to be a journalist – so I joined the staff of the college newspaper and ended up as the editor.  I thought I wanted to run a nonprofit – so I volunteered at a shelter.  Later, I was interested in marketing and worked my way into a promotions internship at a Madison newspaper. After college, I volunteered with AmeriCorps – working with teachers, building families, cleaning nature trails – and then went to China on a Peace Corps assignment.

Did you always know that one day you would work in the dairy industry?

When a friend asked me four years ago if I would ever work for my family’s dairy industry business, I said, “No way, are you crazy?” I was definitely wrong.

How did I go from teaching English in China with the Peace Corps to working with dairy farmers in Wisconsin? Good question.

What helped you in your life to be prepared for working in the dairy industry?

I am a firm believer that you can learn to do anything. You may take some twists and turns, but if you follow your passion with a curiosity that will kill a cat and do so with dedication – there’s no telling where you’ll end up.

The further I get from college graduation, the less people care about my major. But EVERYTHING I did in college and after has laid a foundation of experiences for me to build upon as my interests evolved.

All of these opportunities, challenges, and experiences came loaded with lessons – takeaways that helped me get where I am today and help me in my daily life.

If you could give advice to any student in general what would it be?

Find your passion.

My passion is for trying something new, learning lessons (sometimes from being wrong), and applying those lessons to new experiences – from studying journalism to learning Chinese to selling cow waterbeds. I’ve built a broad foundation of experiences to draw from, and I am passionate about building ever higher to be ever better.

Follow your passion – for learning, for teaching, for technology, for agriculture, for anything that makes you wake up every day and feel opportunity, excitement, and engaged. And then find, or create, a job where you can be in that sphere as much as possible.

I am always at work somewhere in my mind, not because I’m a workaholic, but because I have found my passion for trying new things and endless learning, is perfectly suited to our business. I can read an article today and try the idea tomorrow. My passion and my job are perfectly matched, so when I say that I am always at work, it’s a good thing. It’s a fun thing.

If you could give advice to any students both graduate and undergraduate’s looking for a career in the dairy industry what would it be?

Once you’re in an industry – in our case the dairy industry – start looking outside the industry for inspiration so you don’t get boxed in. Find something that will set you apart.

What is your favorite part about your current position or company you work for?

The people.  I love talking to dairy producers – listening to the stories of their family farms and trying to help them overcome challenges on the farm.  I enjoying learning about local economies through our local dealer network, and seeing the relationships dealers nurture with farmers around the world.  I am always amazed at what I learn from other industry professionals and academics – you never stop learning.  And last, but certainly not least, I consider myself one of the lucky ones who is absolutely surrounded by a committed, passionate, talented team.  We’re small in numbers, but bonded together to tackle tough problems and celebrate our successes.

What is your favorite part about the dairy industry in general?

Dairy farming is a 24/7, 365 days a year – where the work is never done and Mother Nature always seems to throw a curve ball, yet dairy producers are always willing to take a few minutes (which often turns into an hour and a cup of coffee) to talk, show you their barn or introduce you to their favorite cow.

Just for fun, what is your favorite dairy food?

Cheese – but don’t make me pick just one kind.

Student Profiles

Name: Lucas Krueger

Country of Origin: United States

School: Iowa State University

Degree Program: M.S. in Nutritional Sciences

Year in school: 1^st year

Area of Specialization: Ruminant Physiology: Nutrition and Immunology

Research Focus: Vitamin Supplementation and Enteric Immune System in Dairy Calves

Future Plans: Complete both M.S. and Ph.D. at Iowa State University, and then look for a career either in nutrition and immunological research, or as a nutrition and health specialist for dairy farms.

Award Won: National Milk Producers Federation Graduate Student Paper Competition MS Division- 1^st Place

Name: Kai Yuan

Country of Origin: China

School: Kansas State University

Degree: Ph.D. in Animal Science

Year in School: 3^rd year

Area of Specialization: Nutritional Physiology

Research Focus: Research interests include investigating the interaction between immune function and metabolism in dairy cows transitioning from late gestation to early lactation, and to develop strategies to apply this understanding to improve cow health and production

Future Plans: Become an investigator in animal or human metabolic diseases

Award Won: National Milk Producers Federation Graduate Student Paper Competition PhD Division- 1^st Place

Summer President’s Letter

Enjoying the “summer” life of a graduate student?  Are you making posters and presentations, furiously doing research before classes start again, longing for the relaxed summers of undergrad?

Take a break!  Read about all the fun events at JAM the graduate student division has planned for you.  From networking at the career insights luncheon to riding a mechanical bull at the mixer – there is something for everyone.

I’m sure you all would agree that this year has been a whirlwind.  It seems the days drag on so slowly, but when the year is up you wonder how the time flew by so fast.  The graduate student executive council is looking forward to seeing you at all of the JAM events this year that they have worked so hard on.  Thank you to Amanda Sterrett, Michael Adams, Goshia Zobel, Steve Beckman, and Keena Mullen for all their hard work and service!

See you at JAM!

Rachel Campbell

GSD President

Summary of Dairy Industry in the United States of America

By Randi Black, PhD Candidate, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (M.S. in Dairy Systems Management from the University of Kentucky, 2013)

Climate

The United States is located in North America, north of Mexico and south of Canada.  A vast variety of climates exist in the United States ranging from semi-arid to desert in the West, humid subtropical in the Southeast, and humid continental in the Northeast and Midwest, with all variations in between.  This climactic variation is reflected in the management and production within the different regions.

Production

In 2012, the United States produced 90,558,996,884,992 kg of milk from 9,225,000 cows producing 9,817 kg per cow.  The Northwest produced 12,654,771,850 kg of milk from 1,209,000 cow producing 10,463 kg per cow, while the Southwest produced 29,754,294,743 kg of milk from 2,815,000 cows producing 10,570 kg per cow.  The Midwest produced 1,349,437,122 kg of milk from 2,975,000 cows producing 9,597 kg per cow, while the East Coast, including the Southeast and Northeast, produced 19,905,444,921 kg of milk from 2,236,000 cows producing 8,903 kg per cow.  The top dairy states in the United States are California, producing 18,960,612,140 kg of milk from 1,782,000 cows, Wisconsin, producing 12,348,597,041 kg of milk from 1,270,000 cows, and Idaho, producing 6,149,804,536 kg of milk from 580,000 cows.  (USDA/NASS, 2013)

Reproduction

The majority of dairy producers in the U.S. (93%) utilize visual observation as a means to detect estrus in dairy cattle; however, many producers also use tail chalk (35%), and bulls for estrus detection (40%).  Although a large number of producers use bulls of estrus detection, only 27% rely on bulls for breeding.  Most producers (75%) use artificial insemination to breed cattle.  Genetic selection for milk is the primary reproductive goal for U.S. producers.  However, more producers are beginning to select for net merit, SCC, and longevity.  (USDA/NAHMS, 2007b)

Calf hutches allow for individualized care of calves at a young age and a reduction in disease transmission.

Calves

The majority of U.S. dairy farms raise heifers on the farm (97%).  Additionally, most producers remove calves from the dam immediately after calving (56%), while 22% remove calves after nursing the dam, but within 12 hours of birth.  All but 0.2% of operations give calves colostrum via the dam, bottle feeding, or bucket feeding.  (USDA/NAHMS, 2007a)

A small proportion of cows are housed in compost bedded pack barns, an alternative housing facility to freestall barns.

Housing

Housing options vary for dairy farms based on herd size.  A small percentage (27%) of small dairy farms (fewer than 100 cows) use freestall barns for housing.  These farms typically use tie-stall barns, deep bedded pack barns, or have no housing.  Conversely, large farms (500 or more cows) use freestalls as the predominant housing type (83%).  (USDA/NAHMS, 2007a)

Feeds and Feeding

Cow diets in the U.S. consist of three main ingredients; corn or corn silage, alfalfa hay or haylage, and whole soybeans or soybean meal.  Most small farms (66%) feed all cows the same ration, while most large farms (71%) feed different rations to

The majority of producers choose to feed a total mixed ration to provide a more balanced diet to cows.

different groups based on production and stage of lactation.  (USDA/NAHMS, 2007a)

Breeds

The majority of U.S. dairy producers (over 90%) choose to milk Holstein cattle.  Producers favor this breed from their ability to produce large quantities of milk.  Jersey cattle are the second most popular dairy breed in the U.S., at about 7% of the dairy population.  Jersey cows have a small frame size compared to Holsteins.  However, Jersey cows are popular for their high butterfat production and milk efficiency. (USEPA, 2010)

Welfare

Cow brushes can be found on some dairies to provide enrichment to cows.

The U.S. dairy industry is faced with many of the same welfare concerns as other countries.  One of the most concerning issues is lameness associated with dairy cows housed in confinement or infectious disease.  Producers have difficulty diagnosing lameness in the early stages, which allows the disease to manifest to a more severe stage.  Many researchers around the world have been working on solutions for automated lameness detection.  Transition cows also pose concern throughout the dairy industry.  Monitoring feed intake throughout the early stages in lactation is an important strategy to identifying ill cows to prevent further concern.  However, U.S. dairy producers are not as quick to adopt new technologies (Daberkow and McBride, 2003), making many automated systems somewhat irrelevant.  Producers also struggle with management practice concerns including tail docking, dehorning, separation of the cow and calf, and confinement housing.  Although many concerns arise, U.S. dairy producers still strive to provide comfortable, healthy, productive lives for cows.  (von Keyserlingk et al., 2009)

References

Daberkow, S. and W. McBride. 2003. Farm and Operator Characteristics Affecting the Awareness and Adoption of Precision Agriculture Technologies in the US. Precision Agriculture 4(2):163-177.

USDA/NAHMS. 2007a. Dairy 2007 Part III: Reference of dairy cattle health and management practices in the United States. W. USDA, DC.  Accessed May 31, 2013.  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/dairy/downloads/dairy07/Dairy07_dr_PartIII_rev.pdf, ed.

USDA/NAHMS. 2007b. Dairy 2007 Part IV: Reference of dairy cattle health and management practices in the United States. D. h. w. a. u. g. a. h. n. d. d. d. D. d. P. p. USDA.  Washington, ed.

USDA/NASS. 2013. Milk Production. USDA-NASS.  Washington, DC.  Accessed May 31, 2013.  http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/nass/MilkProd//2010s/2013/MilkProd-02-20-2013.pdf.

USEPA. 2010. Ag 101. USEPA.  Washington, DC.  Accessed May 31, 2013.  http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/dairysystems.html.

von Keyserlingk, M. A. G., J. Rushen, A. M. de Passillé, and D. M. Weary. 2009. Invited review: The welfare of dairy cattle—Key concepts and the role of science. J. Dairy Sci. 92(9):4101-4111.

Industry Spotlight

Michael Steele, PhD

B.S.: Agricultural Science, University of Guelph, 2001

M.S.: Animal Nutrition, University of Guelph, 2003

Ph.D.:  Ruminant Nutrition, University of Guelph, 2012

1. Current Position (title and describe duties):

Research Scientist and Technology Transfer, Nutreco Canada Agresearch                        

¨  Leading basic and applied research program in functional nutrition of ruminants                                                                                                                                            

¨  Forging highly competitive external research and development collaborations                                       

¨  Contributing to develop Nutreco’s global Gut Health Research Platform                                                                                                                          

¨  Participating in cross-species and cross-functional research teams                                                        

¨  Providing technical leadership for ruminant nutrition and sales team                                                                                                             

¨  Updating Nutreco’s training program and developing an E-learning initiative         

2. Previous Positions (titles and describe duties):

Dairy Cow Nutritionist, Masterfeeds Inc.     2005-2007                                                     London, Ontario

¨  Leading national product research and development program

¨  Designing efficient rations and styles of feeding throughout Canada

¨  Training sales staff and providing technical service from office or on the farm

¨  Formulating products and coordinating precise and efficient production

¨  Developing strategic plans and creating marketing material

Dairy Project Manager, Beijing Land of Plenty Technology Inc.         2004-2005         Beijing, China

¨  Nutrition and management consultation for livestock farms throughout China

¨  Balancing rations, designing feeding regimes and measuring progress

¨ Designing cutting-edge feed and housing facilities for livestock operations

¨  Writing and presenting business plans for investors and government officials

Steele Brothers Farms Limited, Stelbro Holsteins                                1990-2004     Thamesford, Ontario

¨  Selecting dairy genetics and establishing a globally-respected breeding program

¨  Ration balancing, herd health monitoring, record keeping and farm management

¨  Actively participating in all farm duties and economic decision making

3. Why did you choose your current position?

My current position at Nutreco enables me to express my passion for ruminant research and knowledge transfer.  In addition, I truly enjoy working with an international company that values research and innovation.

4. What is your favorite part of working at Nutreco?

My favorite part of working at Nutreco is participating in an international team tackling international and local animal nutrition and production challenges.  Being able to share and apply knowledge globally is very exciting for me.

5. Did you always want to go into research or did you think about teaching/Extension? Please describe the path you took to figure out exactly what you wanted to do after graduate school.

I have always had a deep-rooted passion for teaching and extension and thought I would move into that direction before I started my PhD.   However, I started to gain confidence in my ability to conduct research during the second year of my PhD thanks to the guidance of my supervisor, Dr. Brian McBride.   During this time I came to the conclusion that research had to be component of my future career.  Luckily for me, Nutreco offered me a position that allowed me to develop my own research program and still conduct teaching/extension within the company.  Even though I am working in private industry I have been fortunate to stay connected to teaching through advising graduate students at the University of Guelph and developing an interactive elearning training program.  I feel like I am getting the best of both worlds.

5. Please describe your transition from graduate school to the “real world”?  What was easy? What was difficult?

I have worked in industry prior to my PhD therefore the transition to industry was not difficult.   I personally find the pace to be faster and the expectation for an application of your research is greater in industry.

6. Do you think a particular class or area of study was beneficial to your current or previous job? 

I feel very fortunate that I devoted efforts to learn molecular biology, cell biology and microbiology during my PhD.  Being able to integrate these techniques with nutrition is very powerful and has supplied me with many opportunities to collaborate with leading industrial and academic research groups.

7. In your opinion, what characteristics should graduate students possess to be successful in their career development?

Graduate students should be able to integrate several areas of research and be able to sense where the industry is moving and adapt to be successful in their career.  There are many experts in specific fields but there are very few experts that can integrate several disciplines.  Try your best to find and develop your expertise in your specific area but make sure you can integrate your knowledge with the big picture.

8. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for graduate students in the dairy field? 

Graduate students should be able to integrate several areas of research and be able to sense where the industry is moving and adapt to be successful in their career.  There are many experts in specific fields but there are very few experts that can integrate several disciplines.

Student Profiles: Meet Your New Exec Team!

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President: Amanda Sterrett

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Educational Background:

University of Kentucky, Dairy Systems Management, hopefully an M.S. as of this Friday (fingers crossed) and continuing on for my PhD

Previous Degrees: University of Findlay, B.S. in Animal Science and Biology, 2009

Thesis Topic: Management and Technology Solutions for Improving Milk Quality

ADSA-Related:

Were you involved in SAD (Student Affiliate Division)? If so, how? Unfortunately, no. I was not involved with dairy in general until my junior year of my undergraduate career and my school was not involved with ADSA so I was not exposed to it until graduate school.

Do you plan to present at JAM 2013?  Yes, a poster and an oral.

What is your favorite GSD event and why? All of them, of course! I love that Dairy Tales exposes me to new and interesting topics. I really enjoyed the ADSA/ASAS Symposium last year and it was actually my overall favorite symposium of JAM. The Career Insights lunch was nice because I got to talk with other GSD members and hear from those out in the real world. The mixer was a lot of fun last year as I got to meet so many GSD members and I am really looking forward to that this year.

Just for Fun:

What is your favorite dairy food? Frozen yogurt, specifically the orange flavor from Orange Leaf.

If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Rosalind Franklin because of her involvement in such an amazing scientific development and the resulting advancements for women in science. I also have a long list of mastitis researchers whom I would love to meet and talk to.

Tell us about a unique or quirky habit of yours.  There are too many to list in this article.  My advisor and lab mates call me Sheldon (from the Big Bang Theory) because I tend to embody some of his quirkiness, particularly the germophobia and awkward social presence.

If you had to describe yourself using three words, they would be… Passionate, inquisitive, and hard-working.

When you were little, who was your favorite super hero and why? Though not actual super heroes, The American Gladiators (from the TV show) were my idols. My family even took me to Orlando, FL once to watch the filming of the show. I got all their autographs and talked about it for years (and obviously still do).

If you couldn’t be a dairy scientist, you would want to be…An animal scientist of another species. I can’t imagine not working with animals.

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Vice President: Curtis Park

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Educational Background:

North Carolina State University, PhD Food Science, expected 2016

Thesis Topic: MS: Influence of spray drying parameters on the flavor of WPC

Previous Degrees (Undergraduate/ Graduate): BS Food Science BYU (2011), MS Food Science NCSU (2013)

ADSA-Related:

Were you involved in SAD (Student Affiliate Division)? If so, how? I went to some of the activities at the JAM 2012 but that was about it.

Do you plan to present at JAM 2013?  Yes

Just For Fun:

What is your favorite dairy food?Either ice cream or cheese!

Tell us about a unique or quirky habit of yours: As a kid I would always follow the “don’t step on a crack or you’ll break your mother’s back” rule.  Out of habit I still avoid stepping on cracks even if I’m not thinking about it.

If you couldn’t be a dairy scientist, you would want to be…I think I would want to be a professional jazz musician.  It’s something I’ve done as a hobby for a long time.

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Secretary: Adam Geiger

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Educational Background:

Virginia Tech, Ph. D. in Lactation Physiology, anticipated May 2017

Thesis Topic: Effect of pre-pubertal feeding strategies on mammary growth, cell proliferation, and lactation potential in dairy calves

Previous Degrees (Undergraduate/ Graduate): MS at Mississippi State University in Ruminant Nutrition

Thesis Title: Effect of increased crude protein concentration in the milk replacer with or without direct-fed microbial supplementation on Holstein dairy calves during heat stress

BS at UW-Madison in Dairy Science

ADSA-Related:

Were you involved in SAD (Student Affiliate Division)? If so, how? Yes.  I attended the conference all 4 years of undergrad and participated in dairy bowl 3 of the years. I also have served as a chaperone to the southern ADSA-SAD twice and served as a dairy bowl judge both of those years

Do you plan to present at JAM 2013?  Yes, I am presenting my thesis research.

Just For Fun:

What is your favorite GSD event and why?  All of the socials were a lot of fun at JAM last year, but dairy tales and the career insight luncheon were great.  The dairy tour in Phoenix was also really neat to see.  If I had to pick one I think the career luncheon takes the cake.

What is your favorite dairy food?  I’m from Wisconsin.  Cheese it is.  More specifically, Fontina cheese made by Belgioso, or cheese curds from Laacks.  Gotta love the cheese curds!

If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?  On a sentimental note, my grandmother.  She played, and continues to play, a large role in who I am and why I do what I do.  Otherwise, Aaron Rogers.  Go Pack Go!

If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why?  Dubai maybe?  The pictures look really cool and elegant.  Otherwise I would love to go to New Zealand/ Australia.  Just to see their landscape and all the grazing operations out there.

Tell us about a unique or quirky habit of yours.  I am colorblind, but that’s not a habit, I was born that way.  I am known as “Extreme” in my grad office because I keep a strict planner and make sure I accomplish everything in it every day.  A lot of my fellow students think I have a little bit of OCD going on. 

If you had to describe yourself using three words, they would be… Outgoing, Determined, Fun. That is a tough question

When you were little, who was your favorite super hero and why? Batman.  His belt with all those gadgets is pretty cool.

If you couldn’t be a dairy scientist, you would want to be… Animal Scientist.  Kidding.  I always thought going to business school and then law school would have been interesting.  So maybe a lawyer?  Easy with the judgement.

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Dairy Foods Director: Maneesha Mohan

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Educational Background:

The University of Tennessee, PhD program, expected 2014

Thesis Topic: Nanostructure and properties of casein micelles

Previous Degrees (Undergraduate/ Graduate): B.Tech. Dairy Science and MS Biological sciences

ADSA-Related:

Were you involved in SAD (Student Affiliate Division)? If so, how? No

Do you plan to present at JAM 2013?  Yes

Just For Fun:

What is your favorite dairy food? Ice cream

If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why? Manasarovar lake in the Himalayas

Tell us about a unique or quirky habit of yours. Roll my r’s when I am very excited.

If you couldn’t be a dairy scientist, you would want to be: a world traveler

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Treasurer: Eric Testroet

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Educational Background:

Iowa State University, Biochemical and molecular nutrition, expected M.S. Summer 2013, PhD 2016

Thesis Topic: The impact of DDGS on milk quality (and milk product quality) in dairy cows

Previous Degrees (Undergraduate/ Graduate): BA Chemistry

ADSA-Related:

Were you involved in SAD (Student Affiliate Division)? If so, how? No

Do you plan to present at JAM 2013?  No, I presented at the Midwest ADSA meeting.

Just For Fun:

What is your favorite GSD event and why?  I really enjoy Dairy Tales.  Dairy Tales is a fun event to plan and has very interesting topics presented in a fun way.  It gives attendees the opportunity to learn about current “hot topics” in a more casual way than the traditional scientific presentation.

What is your favorite dairy food?  I am a huge cheese fan.  I think it’s amazing that you can make so many diverse foods from milk.

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Dairy Production Director: Robb Bender

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Educational Background:

University of Wisconsin – Madison, Ph.D. in Dairy Nutrition, expected May 2015

Thesis Topic: “Integration of Nutritional Data on Commercial Dairy Farms to Develop Real-time Decision Making Tools”

Previous Degrees (Undergraduate/ Graduate): Bachelor of Science – Dairy Science (UW – Madison 2010); Master of Science – Dairy Science Reproductive Physiology (UW – Madison 2012)

ADSA-Related:

Were you involved in SAD (Student Affiliate Division)? If so, how? No

Do you plan to present at JAM 2013?

Oral: Effects of acute feed restriction combined with targeted use of increasing LH in FSH preparations on superovulation and embryo quality in lactating dairy cows

Poster: Improving embryo recovery from superovulated Holstein dairy cattle: Evaluation of reflushing 30 minutes after the initial flush on embryo recovery.

Poster:  Comparison of in situ versus in vitro methods of fiber digestion at 120 and 288 hours to quantify the indigestible NDF fraction of corn silage samples.

Just For Fun:

If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why? I think Brazil would be a lot of fun.  As a result of a few years in graduate school, I have a lot of friends in Brazil that have been students and interns at Madison.  It would be great to see some of them again.

 If you couldn’t be a dairy scientist, you would want to be… Probably a dairy farmer.  Getting cooped up in the office or lab is not my ideal place to be.  I would much rather be working with the cows in some capacity. 

********************BE SURE TO TRACK DOWN YOUR NEW OFFICER TEAM AT JAM TO MEET THEM IN PERSON(GSD EVENTS ARE A GOOD PLACE TO DO THIS…HINT, HINT)!******************

Free Organic Milk Webinar Wednesday, April 17

Sign up for this FREE webinar now!

Organic Milk: Is It Worth The Price? Webinar — April 17th at 12:00 CDTPresenter: Zeynep Ustunol, Ph.D., Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Michigan State University Facilitator: Keena Mullen, Ph.D. student in Animal Science, North Carolina State University Organic milk production is a niche market with growing popularity in the United States. This webinar will explore the production practices and processing of organic milk and examine the appeal of organic milk to the consumer. Nutritional differences and perceived health benefits of organic milk will also be discussed. Join us after the webinar for a live discussion of organic milk, facilitated by one of our Graduate Student Division executive board members, Keena Mullen.

Normally priced at $199/recording, this webinar is being offered for no charge to ADSA Graduate Students as a member benefit. You can join the event from anywhere, only an internet connection is needed. Simply register to receive your log-in instructions and be sure to add the date on your calendar.See you next Wednesday—virtually—and be prepared to discuss this pertinent topic!

President’s Letter

The deadline has passed, your abstracts are turned in…now what?

• Make sure your membership is current, if not, renew!  Don’t forget to refer a friend.
• Register for the meeting and don’t forget to book your hotel room with the special student code you received via e-mail.
• Be sure to check out the summaries of events at JAM this year in Indianapolis!
• If you aren’t already a member, join our Facebook group.  This is the most efficient way to receive updates about opportunities made available by the GSD.
• Update your CV and upload it on to myDairyCareer – now is the time to start looking for jobs and making connections.
• Relax!  Read about the dairy industry in China and Sweden and the veal industry in Canada in the newsletter. Or read about your fellow graduate students and a past GSD officer who has moved onto an industry job!

Best,

Rachel Campbell

ADSA Graduate Student Division President