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Gopher Dairy Club enjoys trip to San Antonio Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Agri News staff writer
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The University of Minnesota's Gopher Dairy Club last week attended the National American Dairy Science Association annual meeting in San Antonio.
The American Dairy Science Association parent division hosts the annual meeting to share ideas, science and research involving dairy cattle production and dairy food information with other scientists. The Student Affiliate Division share ideas, activities, and relationships among undergraduates from dairy clubs across the country.
Students were able to participate in the Dairy Quiz Bowl competition. The contest challenged students on their knowledge of ADSA and the dairy industry.Pennsylvania State and California Poly Technical College were first and second respectively in the competition.
During the opening session, Trent Loos, an agricultural activist, discussed the importance of communicating with consumers about the positives in agriculture.
"We need to tell our story to the consumers," said Loos. "There are so many misconceptions being spread to our consumers, and we as farmers and scientists need to step up and be active or we will have nothing to activate."
Students participated in business meetings, shared their clubs activities with other clubs at activities symposiums, displayed their yearbooks and club items for a chance to win outstanding chapter award, and compete in several presentations for production, dairy foods, and origional research.
Amy Hazel, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, gave a presentation on her research on crossbreds of Jersey/Holstein compared to pure Holstein for production, fertility, and udder traits, during the first lactation.
"I wanted to do my research on something I have worked with closely at the university," said Hazel. "I have worked with those crossbred cows in the St. Paul dairy barn on campus, and thought it would be worth my time to find out the differences between them and the pure Holsteins in the barn."
What she found in her research was that during the first lactation, Holsteins produced more milk, but the Jersey/Holstein crosses were easier to get bred back.
Several awards were handed out during the banquet. The Gopher Dairy Club recieved third place in the year book competition and second place in the chapter web site competition.
"ADSA was a lot of fun and learning rolled into a five-day event," said Lucas Sjostrom, University of Minnesota student. "I was able to meet with fellow undergraduate dairy enthusiasts and listen to research presentations done by graduate students and professors across the country."
Sjostrom ran for a national office in the Student Affiliate Division. He was named a National ADSA Student Affiliate Division officer. He will be serving as the 2007-2008 Treasurer/Secretary.
"This will be a great way for me to meet even more people within the dairy industry," said Sjostrom. "When professors, grad students, and undergraduates can get together informally, there is no doubt in my mind that bonds are made that could never be accomplished through scientific agreement or lack there of,'' |
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