“Bring everyone home safe” was the motto of agriculture’s most dynamic safety duo, Dr. Keith and Ruthie Bolsen. The two were memorialized during the International Silage Conference in Gainesville for their contributions to the silage industry and their relentless efforts to teach silage safety. The Bolsens' teaching has influenced thousands of dairy and beef farmers.

Dr. Hugo Ramirez of Tecnologia Forrajera began by recounting Keith’s 32-year research and teaching tenure at Kansas State University. He focused on performance of growing cattle fed silage-based rations, agronomics of silage crops, silage fermentation and additives, storage losses and the application of a team approach to silage management.

Dr. Keith Bolsen. Image courtesy of the International Silage Conference.

Keith also researched silage additives and the ensiling of tropical forages during sabbatical leaves at the Grassland Research Institute in Hurley, England, in 1978; the Volcani Institute in Bet Dagan, Israel, in 1993; and the Dairy Training and Research Institute at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos in 1994.

Keith lectured on silage technology in more than 40 countries. He taught two principles of livestock feeding courses and a silage technology course. He served as the major professor for 39 graduate students who earned 28 master's and 19 Ph.D. degrees. Ron Kuber of Connor Agriscience read letters from a few of those graduate students, filled with fond memories and respect for their adviser.

In 2017, Keith and Ruthie founded the Keith Bolsen Silage Safety Foundation, and he embraced his mission to make everyone aware of how to work safely around silage. They, along with board members, developed a website and a library of silage safety resources. Keith was a sought-after presenter at industry meetings throughout the world.

Ruthie Bolsen. Image courtesy of the International Silage Conference.

Keith died on May 27, 2020, and Ruthie on May 6, 2024. Connie Kuber, Connor Agriscience, and co-founding foundation board member, read a heartfelt letter from their daughter, Krista. They were a much-loved part of their large family, including grand- and great-grandchildren. Krista’s letter brought a personal perspective and warm memories to attendees.

“All funds collected by the Keith Bolsen Silage Safety Foundation have been transferred to Kansas State University to fund the Keith Bolsen Research Symposium and Graduate Competition, which is tentatively set for May 8, 2026, in Manhattan, Kansas,” noted Kuber. “Anyone interested in attending the event should contact Dr. Nicholas Dias.”

To support the event, make donation checks out to the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry. Include in the memo line “Keith Bolsen Research Symposium and Graduate Competition.” Send it to the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, 1424 Claflin Road, Weber Hall 232, Manhattan, KS 66506.

—From an International Silage Conference news release

Dr. Diwakar Vyas, conference co-organizer; Ron Kuber, Connor Agriscience; Dr. Hugo Ramirez, Tecnologia Forrajera; and Connie Kuber, Connor Agriscience, celebrate Dr. Keith and Ruthie Bolsen's legacy of silage safety and innovation. Image courtesy of the International Silage Conference.