Senior, Virginia Tech Dairy Genetics Intern with Genex Based in Shawano, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I’m the 6th generation to dairy on our land in East Tennessee and the 4th generation to own registered Jerseys. We have a 50-cow dairy on 300 acres, and I work with forage management and progeny marketing. We’ve always focused on good breeding and making the most economical use of our land, and recently we’ve taken advantage of genomics to send several bulls to stud and increase our national herd rank to 17th. Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor's of arts in ecology, evolution & organismal biology in the spring of 2011, and I’m currently a rising senior at Virginia Tech pursuing a second degree, this time a bachelor's of science in dairy science.

Junior, University of Wisconsin – Madison Progeny Promotions Intern with ABS Based in DeForest, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I don’t come from a dairy background, but with the help of my brother and many others I got involved in the dairy industry at an early age. Now my brother along with his wife and I own Car-Cor Holsteins and milk 65 cows since April 2011.

Senior, University of Wisconsin – Platteville Field Intern with Genex Based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I grew up on a registered Holstein dairy farm, Nagels Home of Holsteins in Valders, Wisconsin, with my parents Paul and Tammie and my three siblings. Here we milk 55 Holsteins, own 250 acres, and I personally own 21 head of Holsteins on my own. Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I'm majoring in animal science with a dairy and business emphasis.

Senior, University of Wisconsin – River Falls Genetic Management Systems (GMS) Intern with ABS Based in Deforest, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I grew up on my parents’ 50-cow registered Holstein dairy farm in north central Wisconsin. They helped me start my own herd at the age of five, and I have been building it up ever since.

Junior, University of Wisconsin – River Falls Field Intern for Genex Based in Hawano, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your agricultural background? I grew up on a 100-cow dairy. Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I am obtaining a major in dairy science management with a minor in ag business Q. What activities or associations are you involved in? I'm involved in the UWRF Dairy Club.

Junior, University of Wisconsin – River Falls Marketing and Communications Intern with Red & White Dairy Cattle Association Based in Clinton, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I’m the 20-year-old daughter of Mark and Linda Wright. My parents, along with my sister, Nicole, and I reside on a 300 acre, 200-head registered Holstein dairy farm in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, in Jefferson County. I have been active in the dairy industry since I was five years old when my grandmother gave me my first calf to start my herd. Since then I have purchased other dairy cattle with deep pedigrees and utilized embryo transfer to increase my current herd.

Green Bay, Wisconsin, served as the location for the first Vita Plus Calf Summit, held June 19-21. On the first day, attendees toured two progressive calf operations –Pagel’s Ponderosa Calf Ranch and Dairy Dreams LLC. The two-day conference portion of the event featured 13 presentations, two of which were wet lab presentations from Dr. Sheila McGuirk and Dr. Max Thornsberry. special guest was former Green Bay Packers player LeRoy Butler.  PD

Green Bay, Wisconsin, served as the location for the first Vita Plus Calf Summit, held June 19-21. Click here to learn more about the summit from the most recent Vita Plus Calf Care e-newsletter, or click a hyperlink below to jump directly to that topic in the e-newsletter. On the first day, attendees toured two progressive calf operations, Pagel’s Ponderosa Calf Ranch and Dairy Dreams LLC.

Junior, University of Wisconsin-Madison Genesis Intern with Genex Shawano, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I grew up on a dairy farm in Tillamook, Oregon, of about 180 Jerseys and Holsteins. I was in charge of feeding calves, checking for heats, milking and whatever other responsibilities came my way. My parents relocated to Stratford, Wisconsin, about two years ago and are now milking only 30 cows. Now that they have moved, I am more involved with the genetics and mating to improve the herd.

2012 graduate, Virginia Tech Dairy Genetics Intern with Genex Based in Shawano, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I grew up on the Rutter’s Dairy Farm in Pensylvania. It consisted of 100 head of registered Holsteins and Guernseys until the herd sold out in 2004. All the Guernseys but the show herd were sold to Hoard's Dairyman, and the Holsteins were sold privately to herds in the area. The Guernsey heifers are still raised on the farm, and the cows are milked at another location. For the heifers, I am responsible for the mating decisions. Q. In what area did you obtain a degree? I graduated with a bachelor's of science in dairy science and a focus in statistics.