Pat Hoffman Dairy Technical Support Specialist Marshfield, Wisconsin Vita Plus
What are your new responsibilities?As a dairy technical support specialist, my primary responsibilities will be coordination of special dairy projects within Vita Plus to assist our dairy producer customers in emerging dairy technologies.
What territory will you cover?
I will work with company staff, dealer partners and dairy producers throughout our entire market area in the upper Midwest.
Please describe your agricultural background.
I was born and raised on a dairy farm in Pepin County, Wisconsin. Like most rural dairy farm families, I was very active in 4-H and FFA dairy activities.
What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I received my bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville and my master’s degree in dairy science from UW – Madison.
What previous positions have you held?
From 1980 to 1988, I worked at an agricultural agent with UW-Extension in Green Lake County, Wisconsin. In 1988, I accepted the position of dairy scientist located at the Marshfield Agricultural Research Station. This position operated within UW-Madison’s Dairy Science Department. I conducted applied dairy research and outreach programs on the growth and development of replacement heifers and innovations in feed evaluation for the past 26 years.
Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
My colleagues within the UW-Madison Dairy Science Department have made the biggest impact on my career. They demanded excellence, but at the same time, provided full autonomy to pursue high-impact dairy research initiatives. I will be forever grateful for their support.
How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
In my 34-year career, I have been a part of a lot of successful dairy technologies and observed a number of dairy technologies that did not have a lasting impact on our industry. It is always a challenge to discern game-changing dairy technologies from the ineffectual ones. I am looking forward to helping dairy producers sort out the next generation of dairy technologies that may improve their businesses.
Why did you choose this company?
It is a customer-driven company simply providing a broad spectrum of products and services that our dairy producer customers need.
What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
My goals are relatively simple. If we look back over the last 20 years, the dairy industry has evolved in so many ways. I want to be part of helping dairy producers find the next horizons of dairy production. PD
